Shark caught in the Thames

by some fisher­men near Poplar. The shark measured 9 ft. 3 in. from nose tip to tail; 6 ft. 9 in. round the body at the thickest part; and the width of its jaws, fully extended, 17 in., embellished with five rows of impressive teeth!

Unfortunately shortly after being landed the shark died. In an attempt to find out why the shark’s stomach was opened up – it was found to contain a silver watch, a metal chain, a cornelian seal, and several pieces of clothing.

The watch was inscribed “Henry Watson, London, No. 1369″, and the interior works were more than somewhat the worse for wear, however, when questioned Shoreditch watchmaker, Henry Watson, recalled selling the watch to a Mr. Thompson, of Whitechapel, who had presented it to his son before he had set off on his first voyage out of Falmouth.

Unfortunately the boy had been lost overboard when the vessel made a sudden heel during a squall, and young Thompson was lost overboard and seen no more. That was how his watch came to be found two years later in a shark’s innards!

April Fool – no not really – the incident did take place, only it happened on Dec 1 1787.

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