The Gloucester sea serpent is a legendary creature that has been seen near the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Cape Ann area in the United States. Sightings of the creature were most active from August 1817 and continued through 1818 and 1819. The creature is described as a large, serpent-like animal with humps along its back. Many fishermen and sailors have reported seeing it and shared stories about encounters with it. The earliest known sighting of the creature near Cape Ann was recorded in 1638 by John Josselyn. People have occasionally reported seeing the Gloucester sea serpent into the 21st century.
History
Although the Indigenous People of Cape Ann had informed the settlers about a sea serpent, the earliest recorded sighting of the Gloucester Sea Serpent was in 1817. At that time, a group of fishermen claimed to have seen a 60 ft (18 m) creature with a head similar to a turtle swimming in the waters near Gloucester. Sightings of the creature occurred occasionally throughout the 19th century, with many local fishermen saying they saw it while fishing at sea.
One of the most well-known sightings happened in August 1817. Men aboard the schooner "Caravan" said they saw a large creature with a serpent-like head and a hump-backed body swimming next to their boat. The crew fired a cannon at the creature, but it sank beneath the water and was not seen again.
Bernard Heuvelmans described sightings of the creature in his book on cryptozoology, In the Wake of the Sea-Serpents, which was originally titled Le Grand Serpent-de-Mer.
Several witnesses said they saw a stinger or spear sticking out from the creature's head. This observation led Joe Nickell to believe the creature was a narwhal.
Description
Over the years, many people have reported seeing the Gloucester Sea Serpent, and their descriptions of the creature differ. Some say it looks like a long, snake-like animal, while others describe it as having a hump on its back and a head similar to that of a horse, seal, or dinosaur. Because hundreds, and possibly even thousands, of people claim to have seen the creature, along with the Linnaean Society's report, this serpent is one of the most well-documented sea serpents in history. However, despite these sightings and stories, scientists and researchers still debate whether the creature truly exists. Some believe it could be a large type of eel, while others think it might be a trick or the result of mistakes in identifying known marine animals.
In popular culture
The creature has become a symbol of the town of Gloucester. Local businesses and organizations use its image in their logos and promotional materials. In 1819, Charleston playwright William Crafts made fun of the reports about the sea serpent in his play titled The sea serpent; or, Gloucester hoax: A dramatic jeu d'esprit, in three acts.