The Captain, officers and crew of the Chinese Customs launch Lungtsing vouch for the truth of the statement uld" by them that they came across sex serpent on the 18th inst., as they were steaming half speed for Boddam' Cove, Tungho Island, in Lat, N. 22 deg. 8 min, 30 sees, and Long. E. 113 deg. 48 min. 40 sees, The launch was steered within 30 feet of the serpent which was coiled up with its heal said two or three feet. 1 engines were stopped ard a gig lowered, in which stood the 2nd officer, boat-hook in hand, with orders to kill the reptil~, On the approach of the siz it lowered its head and denly struck cut hitting the blade of one of the oars and capsizing the sailor, anc! again raising its head about 15 feet on level with the davits of the lunch and when only 10 feet distant. 'The 2nd officer was on' the point of striking when the monster dived and made off, swimming like an ordinary water snake, the water being so clear that its action could he distinctly seen. Its length was judged to be from 40 to 50 feet, it had crest on its head and two fins behind the jaws, its thickest purt was about 15 fort, its head the size of a football, with large eyes and wide open mouth, of a dark colour, but striped and mottled on the under part of its body.
Hongkong, 3ist August.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.