Image: Pacific Rural Press, October 12, 1872
Dead Whale Tales
Dateline: October 1917
There was a total of 10 articles about the moribund sea mammal on the beach at Serena (between Summerland and Carpinteria).
"Dead Whale at Serena," was the title of the first article on October 9.
"The monster … was towed out to sea, strapped with sand and bags to sink it, but the buoyancy of the carcass carried the sandbags ashore. Then, like the famed cat, … it came back, washing up on the beach at Serena … Quite a number of people, however, holding their noses, bravely essayed a trip to the scene to view the uninvited guest."
It even made the pages of the "Los Angeles Times," which stated that the carcass measured 72 feet.