Collision between a Steamer and a Whale. Illustration for The Picture Magazine, 1894. reference

Caption: "The Netherland steamer Waesland, 3,500 tons, when on its way from Antwerp to New York, reported that at noon on the second day a whale was seen floating on the water directly in the vessel's course. No attempt was made to avoid the animal, as the natural impression was that it would get out of the way of its own accord. it declined to move, however, being fast asleep, most likely, and the steamer's sharp iron bows struck full and fair about midway of its length. There was a perceptible shock to the vessel and an immediate checking of the progress. Passengers and deckhands ran forward to see what was the cause of the trouble and found that the whale was fully 80 ft. long, had been cut half way in two, and lay dead and fast, caught on the bows. It was necessary to stop the ship and back off to disengage the carcass, which when freed drifted astern. None of the officers of the ship had ever witnessed a similar occurrence, although it is by no means an unheard of one. Ships have struck sleeping whales before, and on several occasions have suffered damage from the collision."