Inherited a 1929 edition of “The Wonder Book of Knowledge and it contains a story and pictures from “The American Magazine” about a giant fish (has gills) that looks like a cross between a shark and a whale, although not a whale-shark. It may have been a baby (cartilage not bone) and lived at great depths, based on the tiny eyes and lack of dilation. Tried many different searches on the subject and can’t find anything further on it. The yacht that eventually captured it was the “Samoa” owned and operated by Charles H. Thompson and the creature was eventually landed on beach in Miami, according to the article. Found it fascinating and wish to learn how true this story and picture actually is…or isn’t….
No, couldn’t find it on wikipedia or any “hoax” websites I could find, although folks on the hoax websites are searching for more info as well…also, turns out the story pre-dates 1917 somewhere….