Today I found the following item in the Dundee Courier & Argus & N.Warder for 18-9-1874 and I present a (sadly) equally rare lyrics selection. From a Scottish band, or at least faux Scottish. Hurrah! I apologise if this extract is familiar to you, ( the shark I mean) I don`t have one of those rare minds that can remember everything I`ve read, I have one of those minds tormented by anxiety and jinglebollocks, but that`s another story. Read on:
WAS IT A SHARK?
Yesterday, about low water, a strange looking animal was observed from the shore at Kirkaldy to have run aground on a bank a little out from the east pier. A boat was at once procured and set out for the bank, where they found what they supposed was a shark, measuring about 7 feet in length, with two horns on the top of its head. One of the men in the boat took a graip(?) and stabbed it in the belly. The monster had four rows of teeth, set closely, and very sharp. The men tried to get it up into the boat, but after pulling at it for some time they allowed it to get away; but it is thought from the nature of the wounds it received, that it will die, and therefore there is every likelihood of its being cast ashore. One of a like nature was observed by a bather at Portobello a few weeks ago, and which bit him on the leg. A great number of people were on the harbour at the time of the onslaught, and were greatly disappointed when they saw that the men had let it off. (1)
1. Dundee Courier & Argus & N. Warder 18-9-1874.
B I G C O U N T R Y R E S T L E S S N A T I V E S
Alone among the hills and stone
Through summer sun and the winter snow
The eagle he was lord above
And Rob was lord below
240 we lived
Without hope and without pride
So who will know where they come from
Who raised a torch for those who died
I will be with them
In the summer sun
And the winter snow
They will come and clouds will go
And show that we are proud again
REQUEST: If anyone has any mystery animal stories including ABCs, BHMs and dragons from around Manchester please can they let me know at flyingsnakepress@hotmail.co.uk
WAS IT A SHARK?
Yesterday, about low water, a strange looking animal was observed from the shore at Kirkaldy to have run aground on a bank a little out from the east pier. A boat was at once procured and set out for the bank, where they found what they supposed was a shark, measuring about 7 feet in length, with two horns on the top of its head. One of the men in the boat took a graip(?) and stabbed it in the belly. The monster had four rows of teeth, set closely, and very sharp. The men tried to get it up into the boat, but after pulling at it for some time they allowed it to get away; but it is thought from the nature of the wounds it received, that it will die, and therefore there is every likelihood of its being cast ashore. One of a like nature was observed by a bather at Portobello a few weeks ago, and which bit him on the leg. A great number of people were on the harbour at the time of the onslaught, and were greatly disappointed when they saw that the men had let it off. (1)
1. Dundee Courier & Argus & N. Warder 18-9-1874.
B I G C O U N T R Y R E S T L E S S N A T I V E S
Alone among the hills and stone
Through summer sun and the winter snow
The eagle he was lord above
And Rob was lord below
240 we lived
Without hope and without pride
So who will know where they come from
Who raised a torch for those who died
I will be with them
In the summer sun
And the winter snow
They will come and clouds will go
And show that we are proud again
REQUEST: If anyone has any mystery animal stories including ABCs, BHMs and dragons from around Manchester please can they let me know at flyingsnakepress@hotmail.co.uk
Some sharks have spines in their dorsal fins, perhaps the "Two horns on the top of the head" are related to that.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes, Dale D.
My upcoming MYSTERY ANIMALS OF...LONDON has a mention of a shark in the Thames! I may be able to help you out with some Manchester big cat stories Richard. I have some clippings re; dealers in the '60s and '70s who bought/sold leopards etc.
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