A SKETCH FROM H.M. YACHT "OSBORNE" OFF THE NORTH COAST OF SICILY ON THE SECOND OF JUNE, 1877
THE "SEA SERPENT"
We are indebted to Lieut. W.P. Hayenes, of H.M.S. Osborne, for the sketch of the sea monster seen by officers and crew of that vessel off the north coast of Sicily on the 2nd inst. In a letter accompanying the sketch he says:- "My attention wa first called by seeing a long row of fins appearing above the surface of the water at a distance of about 200 yards from the ship, and 'away on our beam.' They were of irregular heights and extending about 30 or 40 feet in line (the former number in the length I gave, the latter the other officers), in a few seconds they disappeared, giving place to the fore part of the monster. By this time it had passed astern, swimming in an opposite direction to that we were steering, and as we were passing through the water at 10.1/2 knots, I could only get a view of it, 'end on,' which I have shown in the sketch. The head was bullet-shaped, and quite 6 feet thick, the neck narrow, and its head was occasionally thrown back out of the water, remaining there for a few seconds at a time. It was very broad across the back or shoulders, about 15 or 20 feet, and the flappers appeared to have a semi-revolving motion, which seemed to paddle the monster along. They were about 15 feet in length. From the top of the head to the part of the back where it became immersed, I should consider 50 feet, and that seemed about a third of the whole length. All this part was smooth, resembling a seal. I cannot account for the fins unless they were on the back below where it was immersed."
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