Visit of the Sea Serpent

On Sunday afternoon last, about five o’clock as the Steamer William Seabrook, Captain Blakenship was passing Broad River, about thirty miles North of Tybee Light, bound for this city, those on board the vessel saw at a distance of several hindered yards ahead what they at first took to be a floating log. As the boat neared it, however, they discovered it to be a living something, lying apparently still, partly submerged in the water; and as they came still closer, it assumed the appearance so often described by those who profess to have seen the Sea Serpent. The passengers and others describe it as being dark, muddy color, with a head somewhat resembling that of an alligator, 10 to 15 feet in length which was entirely out of water. The body which described a curve as it lay in the water, discovered slumberous bumps of the size of a hogshead rising out of the water, by which they were enabled to make an estimate of its length, which they state 140 to 150 feet. Captain Blankenship, in order to gratify the passengers and crew with the best possible view of the sea monster, made a circuit around him within twenty or thirty feet of it, during which his Snakeship seemed to take no notice of the vessel. After holding himself on exhibition until the boats crew enjoyed a full view of him, he slowly sunk beneath his native element. As the steamer passed on her course, the serpent again emerged from the water, and leisurely directed his course Southward.