US | Alaska Cruise Ship Impales Whale Humpback whale's death being investigated By Rob Quinn Posted Jul 29, 2010 3:17 AM CDT Copied Federal authorities are investigating the cause of death. (National Marine Fisheries Service) The Sapphire Princess has found a dead whale stuck to its bow for the second time in just over a year. The Coast Guard says the whale appears to be a juvenile humpback, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The cruise ship was delayed near Juneau for three hours while the carcass was removed. A necropsy will be conducted to see whether the animal was already dead when it was struck by the ship, which returned to port with a dead fin whale on its bow after a whale-watching trip last summer. Read These Next Delta pilot arrested moments after landing plane. Murdered couple died "protecting their little girls." Gunman kills police officer at Manhattan skyscraper. Manhattan shooter's note reportedly referenced CTE. Report an error