Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-15
The Sea Serpent of the Norwegian Seas.

| The existence of an immense marine ANIMAL,
with the form and motions of serpent, has
long been believed in Norway. Many tradi-
tions, as we'll as recorded attestations, of sea
serpent, on the Norwegian coast, have been
preserved for many years. Among other ac-
counts, the missionary, Hans Egede, declares
that he witnessed a dreadful sea monster resem-
bling huge serpent in 1874, in Cd degrees OF
latitude. Its body was as bulky as ship, and
three or four times as long. In Pontoppidon's
Natural History of Norway, the existence of
this animal is recognized The learned bishop
saws 81 have questioned its existence myself, till
that suspicion was removed by full and sufficient
evidence from credtable and experienced fisher
men and sailors, of which there are hundreds
who can testify that they have annually seen
him." He also publishes number OF documents
from persons of great responsibility, all going to
show that an enormous monster exists on that
coast, which appears to be about six hundred feet
long. that it lies in the water in many folds, and
these appear like so many hogsheads floating IN
line at considerable distance from each other.
| An animal resembling the description given
of the sea serpent, was stranded on the Island OF
Stronsa, one of the Orkneys, in the year 1s-
| 08. 1t was examined by many individuals, and
afterwards broken up, and the skull, the upper
bones of the swimming paws portions OF the
vertebr@, &C., were preserved and deposited ID
the Royal College of Surgeons An able paper
relating to this animal was prepared oy Dr. bar
clay, and read before the Werrerian Society
and may be found among its transactions. Ihls
animal measured fifty-six feet in length and
twelve in circumference The head was small
and tho neck slender, extending to the length OF
fifteen feet. 1t had blow-holes, and something
like bristling name; also three pairs of fins or
paws. connected with the body-the anterior
ones measured four feet in length, and their ex-
tremities were somewhat like toes, being partial
Ily webbed. The skin was smooth, without
scales and of a greyish color, and the flesh was
like coarse, ill-favored beef Many atfidavits OF
respectable individuals, as well as other clrcum-
stances, 90 far to show the existence OF such an
animal as is above described. ,s.
In the same year, 1903, an animal OF similar
kind was seen by Mr.. McLern the parish clergy
man of Egg, on the coast OF Coll, near the Isle OF
Gamma one of the western isles OF Scotland. de
followed the boat into the mouth OF q creek,and
appears to have frightened the worthy clergy
man very much. He was also seen by the crews
of three fishing boats, who were much terrified,
and FASTENED to the shore as fast as possible
1t is stated by DIR. HILBERT that the great sea
serpent has been recognised occasionally IN the
Shetland seas, and he specifies one which was
seen off the Isle of Stonness, Vaeley Island Dun
vossneSs.
1 Sir Arthur De Capel Brooke, in his "lravels
lin Norway" makes allusion to this animal
which according to the statement OF many hsll-
ermen and others, was seen in the Folden tlord
| in 1917 1t also made its appearance in 1919
off Otersun in Norway,and according to Captain
Schderup, was seen daily during the whole
month of July-when the weather was very
warm, it appeared to be doing in the sunbeams.
/ Captain Schilderup estimated its length at 500
feet The Bishop of Nordland testified that he
saw two sea-serpents about eight miles from
/ Droutheim-the largest of which appeared to
be about 100 feet long. Again it is stated that
lin 1922, one of these monsters, with body as
large as an OK, and fourth of q mile long ap--
peared off the island Loroe, near Tinmask-and
was seen by many of the islanders.
: The most recent account of this monster III
that quarter, is believed to be contained IN the
newspapers of Drontheim in 1887. The accounts
say that ''since the beginning OF dog days the
serpent has been seen at various parts OF the
coast One of them seems to have renamed
constantly during the summer near Storiosen, at
tthe Kergvang islands. Several fishermen have
been so dreadfully frightened at the sudden ap-
pearance of the serpent so near their boats tua1
The serpent did not attack, but followed the boat
for some distance, and the men in their haste SO
over-exerted themselves, that two persons were
confined to their beds. Very credible persons
affirm that the length of the sea serpent may be
taken at 600 or 800 ells,or more-as when those
people were near its head they could not dis
cover the tail It's greatest thickness is near the
head. These observations were made within a
few days, and among others, by credible, SEN
sible man, who with his two sons was on on Is
land where they landed, and where the serpent,
after following their boat, swan slowly BY" {.
So much for the sea serpent on the coast OF
Norway! What has become of the sea serpent
which was wont to honor the North American
coast with visit? He has not been seen for
years. Has some stalwart fisherman or "olu
salt" been shaking harpoon at him mf-B0st0"
Portfolio.