The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND-HARBOR SERPENT

A CREATURE WAS SEEN IN A AROUND GLOUCESTER HARBOR MANY TIMES DURING
THE SUMMER OF 1817. IT HAD A LONG, SERPENTINE BODY-SOME PEOPLE
GUESSED 100 FEET OR MORE. IT MOVED SWIFTLY THROUGH THE WATER
WITH GIANT UNDULATIONS. THE HEAD WAS HIDEOUSLY SHAPED AND A LONG
TONGUE FLICKED FROM ITS MOUTH. THE MONSTER MADE NO SOUND AND
IGNORED PEOPLE WHO APPROACHED IT. IN MID-AUGUST 12 PEOPLE SIGNED
DEPOSITIONS, SWEARING TO THEIR DESCRIPTION OF THE SERPENT. LATE
THAT MONTH IT LEFT THE HARBOR. IT WAS SPOTTED IN LONG ISLAND
SOUND ON OCTOBER 3 AND 5. MANY PEOPLE HUNTED THE SERPENT AFTER
THAT, BUT IT WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): MONSTERS

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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MAINE INDIANS

THE INDIANS IN MAINE WERE FRIGHTENED BY WHAT THEY BELIEVED
WERE ABOMINABLE SNOW MEN. ACTUALLY IT WAS THE LOGGERS
IN THE AREA WHO USED TO WALK AROUND WITH A SACK OF BLOOD
IN THEIR BOOTS WHICH MADE THE INDIANS BELIEVE
THAT MONSTERS LURKED IN THIS AREA.

Submitter comment: I PIKCED UP THIS BIT OF TRIVIA AT SUMMER CAMP IN
MAINE WHEN I WAS 12.

Where learned: MAINE

Keyword(s): MONSTERS

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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MAINE INDIANS

THE INDIANS IN MAINE WERE FRIGHTENED BY WHAT THEY BELIEVED
WERE ABOMINABLE SNOW MEN. ACTUALLY IT WAS THE LOGGERS
IN THE AREA WHO USED TO WALK AROUND WITH A SACK OF BLOOD
IN THEIR BOOTS WHICH MADE THE INDIANS BELIEVE
THAT MONSTERS LURKED IN THIS AREA.

Submitter comment: I PIKCED UP THIS BIT OF TRIVIA AT SUMMER CAMP IN
MAINE WHEN I WAS 12.

Where learned: MAINE

Keyword(s): MONSTERS

Date learned: WHEN I WAS 12 ; 11-05-1967

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