Beached dolphin had sad fate

Although its fate is unknown, some Portsmouth residents did their best to save a dolphin that beached itself in Island Park over the weekend.

Portsmouth Harbormaster Scott Travers said an Atlantic Avenue resident called police late last week and reported that an apparently disoriented dolphin was swimming in the vicinity.

Then on Saturday morning came more calls that a dolphin had beached itself in the vicinity of Park Avenue and Aquidneck Avenue.

"It was lying in about six inches of water," Mr. Travers said, and seemed to be in severe distress. He described it as being about five feet long with a white stripe along its side.

A man who lives in the neighborhood put on a dry suit and helped ease the dolphin into deeper water. Mr. Travers said it "floundered about" for a little while but eventually disappeared.

The state Department of Environmental Management and Mystic Aquarium were also notified.