AP report on Makah
The Associated Press 05/17/99 11:56 AM Eastern
NEAH BAY, Wash. (AP) -- For the first time in more than 70 years, Makah Indians seeking to reclaim their whale-hunting tradition harpooned and apparently killed a gray whale off the Pacific coast this morning.
The whaling crew in a traditional, hand-carved cedar canoe struck the whale at 6:55 a.m. under gray and misty skies off the Pacific coast. Support crews in motorized boats moved in with guns and fired at least two shots from a high-powered rifle into the wounded animal as it dragged the canoe through choppy seas about one-eighth of a mile offshore near Point of the Arches.
The first harpooner, with the bow of the canoe "Hummingbird" hovering above the whale's back, was close enough to actually stab the harpoon into the whale, without having to throw the weapon. Immediately, the seven crew members let go a rope and a yellow float that the creature dragged in a wide circle.
The whale, appearing from the air to be at least 35 feet long, thrashed its tail briefly before diving.
Within minutes it surfaced, and the water around it churned red as the whalers stuck the giant mammal with two more harpoons. At least one of those strikes came from one of the support boats.
Minutes later, the canoe was no longer being dragged and the whale was not visible on the surface. A kill could not immediately be confirmed, but television pictures shot from helicopters showed crew members hauling on the harpoon lines and moving slowly toward shore. Large amounts of blood could be seen around the 32-foot canoe and its tender. A larger fishing boat joined the hunters a short time later.
Tribal members said they planned to beach the whale and cut it up, sharing the meat and oil.
NEAH BAY, Wash. (AP) -- For the first time in more than 70 years, Makah Indians seeking to reclaim their whale-hunting tradition harpooned and apparently killed a gray whale off the Pacific coast this morning.
The whaling crew in a traditional, hand-carved cedar canoe struck the whale at 6:55 a.m. under gray and misty skies off the Pacific coast. Support crews in motorized boats moved in with guns and fired at least two shots from a high-powered rifle into the wounded animal as it dragged the canoe through choppy seas about one-eighth of a mile offshore near Point of the Arches.
The first harpooner, with the bow of the canoe "Hummingbird" hovering above the whale's back, was close enough to actually stab the harpoon into the whale, without having to throw the weapon. Immediately, the seven crew members let go a rope and a yellow float that the creature dragged in a wide circle.
The whale, appearing from the air to be at least 35 feet long, thrashed its tail briefly before diving.
Within minutes it surfaced, and the water around it churned red as the whalers stuck the giant mammal with two more harpoons. At least one of those strikes came from one of the support boats.
Minutes later, the canoe was no longer being dragged and the whale was not visible on the surface. A kill could not immediately be confirmed, but television pictures shot from helicopters showed crew members hauling on the harpoon lines and moving slowly toward shore. Large amounts of blood could be seen around the 32-foot canoe and its tender. A larger fishing boat joined the hunters a short time later.
Tribal members said they planned to beach the whale and cut it up, sharing the meat and oil.
Source: Associated Press Full article from AP