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Water Monster reports from the 1870s

72 cases, best-documented first. Page 1 of 1.

We map claims, not creatures. A case is what some source says someone saw or heard, with the link to that source. It is not proof that anything was there, and a retelling counts once, not as a second sighting.

  1. Water Monster · Brest, France métropolitaine · 1879

    Brest, France métropolitaine2 independent sources

    Captain [name] reports seeing a black, eel-shaped sea serpent with vulture-like eyes rise from the water near his ship off the coast of France.

  2. Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah · 1870

    Bear Lake, Utah2 independent sources

    Witness reports that Marion Thomas and three sons of Phineas H. Cook encountered a large, hairy, serpent-headed creature with flippers in Bear Lake while fishing.

  3. Water Monster · Região Nordeste, Brasil · 1875

    Região Nordeste, Brasil1 independent source

    Witness reports Capt. D'revor and crew observed a monster sea serpent coiled around a sperm whale with a whitish pillar thirty-five feet high.

  4. Water Monster · Ten Islands Historic Park, Alabama · 1877

    Ten Islands Historic Park, Alabama1 independent source

    Witnesses report that in 1810 or 1811, settlers on the Coosa River encountered and killed a massive snake-like water creature which contained digested remains of an Indian, a deer, and a canoe inside…

  5. Water Monster · Mississippi River Park, Tennessee · 1877

    Mississippi River Park, Tennessee1 independent source

    Witnesses report seeing a sixty-five-foot snake-like creature with a pelican bill and black mane attacking a produce boat on the Mississippi River.

  6. Water Monster · 1879

    location unknown1 independent source

    Captain Larsen reports that a huge monster struck the bark Columbia, crushing planks and sinking the ship before the crew escaped in boats.

  7. Water Monster · Lake Champlain, Vermont · 1873

    Lake Champlain, Vermont1 independent source

    Witness reports that Commodore Bisell and party interviewed a sea serpent near Shelburne Bay, saw it moving faster than any steamer with thirty feet of its body in view showing buncles on its face…

  8. Water Monster · Oneida County, Idaho · 1871

    Oneida County, Idaho1 independent source

    William Budge reports that he, William Broomhead, and Milando Pratt observed a large, furry aquatic animal with a fox-like face swimming near the shore of Bear Lake before it dived.

  9. Water Monster · Brazil · 1875

    Brazil1 independent source

    Witness reports a captain saw either the same or a similar monster serpent elevate itself about sixty feet above the water and gaze at the ship.

  10. Water Monster · Vevay, Indiana · 1878

    Vevay, Indiana1 independent source

    John Davidson, Master of the steamer Silver Moon, reports seeing a singular object with a long pelican peak and slimy mane rearing its head above the water near Vevay.

  11. Water Monster · Lake County, California · 1875

    Lake County, California1 independent source

    Witness reports seeing a dark object moving through the water that appeared to be a serpent-like creature approximately forty feet long.

  12. Water Monster · خليج السويس, البحر الأحمر · 1879

    خليج السويس, البحر الأحمر1 independent source

    H. M. S. Philomel encountered a sea serpent in the Gulf of Suez and fired a shot at it from too far away.

  13. Water Monster · Barnstable County, Massachusetts · 1875

    Barnstable County, Massachusetts1 independent source

    A passenger on the steamer Roman reports seeing a large sea serpent off Cape Cod on July 17, observed by others including sea-faring men.

  14. Water Monster · Lake Champlain, Vermont · 1879

    Lake Champlain, Vermont1 independent source

    A report claims a sea serpent is currently moving around Lake Champlain.

  15. Water Monster · Boston Harbor, Massachusetts · 1879

    Boston Harbor, Massachusetts1 independent source

    Witness reports that Capt. Ansel Nye and his passengers mistook a decaying mainmast for a sixty-to-seventy-foot sea serpent in Boston Bay.

  16. Water Monster · Essex County, Massachusetts · 1874

    Essex County, Massachusetts1 independent source

    Capt. West claims he witnessed a sea serpent fighting a whale off Cape Ann, describing its tail and head in detail.

  17. Water Monster · Cape Hatteras, North Carolina · 1870

    Cape Hatteras, North Carolina1 independent source

    The captain and crew of the schooner Saladin reported sighting a massive marine serpent approximately one hundred feet long off Cape Hatteras.

  18. Water Monster · Mississippi River · 1877

    Mississippi River1 independent source

    Captain Carraway reports finding a four-foot-long splinter from a monster's bill embedded in the gunwale of his tow-boat after it struck a wreck.

  19. Water Monster · Maquam Bay, Vermont · 1879

    Maquam Bay, Vermont1 independent source

    Mr. [name] and his hired man observed a large serpent-like creature moving in Maquam Bay for about two hours.

  20. Water Monster · Newport, Rhode Island · 1879

    Newport, Rhode Island1 independent source

    Witness reports that a sea serpent has been seen twice off Newport.

  21. Water Monster · Cape Girardeau, Missouri · 1878

    Cape Girardeau, Missouri1 independent source

    John T. Edwards claims to have captured a large water monster in the Mississippi River and intends to display it in Memphis.

  22. Water Monster · Henderson County, Kentucky · 1877

    Henderson County, Kentucky1 independent source

    Capt. Cnthhert states that the monster attacked a flat boat ten miles above Henderson, overturning it and causing drownings.

  23. Water Monster · Blue Lake, California · 1871

    Blue Lake, California1 independent source

    Witness reports that a private letter from Blue Lake states a fabulous monster was seen by picnickers and a brass band near the shore.

  24. Water Monster · Monroe Township, Ohio · 1879

    Monroe Township, Ohio1 independent source

    Witnesses report a huge reptile chased through Monroe township and Big Indian creek before entering the Ohio river, causing panic and property damage.

  25. Water Monster · Queens, New York · 1876

    Queens, New York1 independent source

    Captain Peter Williams and others claim to have seen a large green sea serpent with ears in the bay.

  26. Water Monster · Invernessshire, Alba / Scotland · 1872

    Invernessshire, Alba / Scotland1 independent source

    A gentleman reports that he, his friend the Rev. of Kent, two daughters, a young man, grandson, and servant lad observed a large, moving creature in Lochourne.

  27. Water Monster · Utah Lake, Utah · 1871

    Utah Lake, Utah1 independent source

    Witnesses report seeing a sixty-foot long serpent-like monster in Utah Lake.

  28. Water Monster · Bandaraya Melaka, Melaka · 1876

    Bandaraya Melaka, Melaka1 independent source

    Passengers on the steamer Nestor reported seeing a massive striped sea monster.

  29. Water Monster · Rutland County, Vermont · 1873

    Rutland County, Vermont1 independent source

    Harvey W. Buel asserts he has known of an immense serpent in the vicinity of Long Pond for many years.

  30. Water Monster · Barnstable County, Massachusetts · 1875

    Barnstable County, Massachusetts1 independent source

    A gentleman on the steamer Roman near Cape Cod observed a large creature with a dorsal fin and scales that raised its head ten feet out of the water.

  31. Water Monster · Lac Saint-François, Ontario · 1875

    Lac Saint-François, Ontario1 independent source

    Witness reports that a strange water monster was seen among the islands at the head of Lake St. Francis by Indians and others, with Capt. Smallman claiming to have seen it near the entrance of Halmon…

  32. Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah · 1870

    Bear Lake, Utah1 independent source

    Witnesses report seeing the head and body of a large creature in Bear Lake that resembled a walrus.

  33. Water Monster · New Madrid, Missouri · 1877

    New Madrid, Missouri1 independent source

    Witnesses on a ferry boat report being attacked by a gigantic river monster that capsized their vessel and threw one man into the water.

  34. Water Monster · Middlesex County, New Jersey · 1874

    Middlesex County, New Jersey1 independent source

    Witnesses report seeing and killing a large whale-like creature stranded on an oyster bed in Raritan Bay.

  35. Water Monster · Portland, Maine · 1873

    Portland, Maine1 independent source

    Witness reports that a 'great sea serpent' has been seen from a bridge on solid land off the coast of Portland, dividing the opinion of scientists at a convention.

  36. Water Monster · Cumberland County, Maine · 1873

    Cumberland County, Maine1 independent source

    Witness reports Mr. [name] saw an animal corresponding to the sea serpent description while getting salt water near his residence on the Nonesuch River.

  37. Water Monster · Shelby County, Tennessee · 1877

    Shelby County, Tennessee1 independent source

    Captain John Carraway and his crew reported seeing a large aquatic creature with a pelican bill and bull-dog head pursuing their tow-boat on the Mississippi River.

  38. Water Monster · Îles Éparses de l'océan Indien, Terres australes et antarctiques françaises · 1870

    Îles Éparses de l'océan Indien, Terres australes et antarctiques françaises1 independent source

    A captain reports seeing a large, dark-skinned creature with a long head and neck swimming rapidly near his whaling ship in the Indian Ocean.

  39. Water Monster · Cahokia, Illinois · 1877

    Cahokia, Illinois1 independent source

    Witness reports that Mr. [name]'s boy saw a large creature with a wolf-like head, huge bill, and long neck on land near Cahokia.

  40. Water Monster · Nantucket Island, Massachusetts · 1875

    Nantucket Island, Massachusetts1 independent source

    The crew of the schooner Emily Holden discovered a sea serpent off Nantucket in August 1875, struck its fin, and was slapped by its tail.

  41. Water Monster · Gloucester, Massachusetts · 1874

    Gloucester, Massachusetts1 independent source

    Witnesses report a sea serpent was seen near Gloucester, described as a wonder almost equal to the one later sighted by Capt. West.

  42. Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah · 1874

    Bear Lake, Utah1 independent source

    Witnesses report seeing an animal with a flat face and light snuff-colored fur in Bear Lake that dove and resurfaced.

  43. Water Monster · Memphis, Tennessee · 1877

    Memphis, Tennessee1 independent source

    A report claimed the river monster was seen passing Memphis wharf and later Flournoy’s Landing at 4 o'clock, bellowing loudly.

  44. Water Monster · Juan Fernández, Región de Valparaíso · 1873

    Juan Fernández, Región de Valparaíso1 independent source

    A captain reports seeing two large sea serpents floating by his ship, one of which was seen off Juan Fernandez.

  45. Water Monster · Lake Champlain, Vermont · 1879

    Lake Champlain, Vermont1 independent source

    Witnesses on the steam yacht Jessie reported seeing a serpent in Lake Champlain and claimed one man was hit by its tail.

  46. Water Monster · Panton, Vermont · 1873

    Panton, Vermont1 independent source

    Witness reports Mr. S. D. Torrey and his party had a clear view of the snake in Panton which made the whole bay boil.

  47. Water Monster · Bear Lake, Utah · 1870

    Bear Lake, Utah1 independent source

    Bro. [name] claimed to have been disturbed by the Bear Lake Monster while resting on its banks and sketched its portrait.

  48. Water Monster · Shieldsville, Minnesota · 1875

    Shieldsville, Minnesota1 independent source

    A report claims that Shieldsville has a lake monster measuring 12 feet long that feeds on ducks and geese.

  49. Water Monster · Lake Champlain, Vermont · 1879

    Lake Champlain, Vermont1 independent source

    A trustworthy and temperate farmer reports seeing a large serpent-like creature in Lake Champlain.

  50. Water Monster · Portland, Maine · 1873

    Portland, Maine1 independent source

    Witness reports Mr. S. B. Beckett saw a large serpent-like animal swimming in Portland Harbor on the evening of July 6.

  51. Water Monster · Rio Grande do Norte, Região Nordeste · 1875

    Rio Grande do Norte, Região Nordeste1 independent source

    The narrator describes a second sighting where the sea serpent's head reared up from what appeared to be a coral reef, glaring at the ship.

  52. Water Monster · Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile · 1873

    Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile1 independent source

    Captain White reports seeing a large sea serpent off Juan Fernandez about twenty-five years prior and another similar creature near Norfolk Island on May 15, 1872.

  53. Water Monster · New York · 1877

    New York1 independent source

    Captain John Carraway reports seeing a hideous river monster with a bulldog-like head and serpent body that attacked his towboat near Devil's Elbow Cut-Off.

  54. Water Monster · Little Rock, Arkansas · 1873

    Little Rock, Arkansas1 independent source

    The article cites Captain White of the ship Sea-Serpent as having reported seeing a large dark brown water-snake in the ocean.

  55. Water Monster · Sicilia, Italia · 1877

    Sicilia, Italia1 independent source

    Lieutenant Haynes of the British navy testifies that he saw one of the creatures off Sicily on June 2nd and made two sketches.

  56. Water Monster · Chicago, Illinois · 1874

    Chicago, Illinois1 independent source

    Witness reports seeing an animal with fur, a flat wide face resembling a fox but larger, and prominent ears in the water near Bear Lake, which dove and resurfaced.

  57. Water Monster · Ashtabula, Ohio · 1879

    Ashtabula, Ohio1 independent source

    Captain Larsen reports that a large submarine monster with fins and a tail sank the vessel Columbia by making a hole in its bow.

  58. Water Monster · Región de Valparaíso, Chile · 1872

    Región de Valparaíso, Chile1 independent source

    Captain J. D. White reports seeing two sea serpents off Juan Fernandez in 1872, one of which raised its head and yawned before the crew observed another coiled nearby.

  59. Water Monster · New Orleans, Louisiana · 1878

    New Orleans, Louisiana1 independent source

    The text lists the appearance of a river monster as one of the seasonal occurrences to look out for.

  60. Water Monster · 1871

    location unknown1 independent source

    J. Cobbin reports seeing an enormous sea serpent resembling a cobra with a bull's head and rainbow-colored scales on December 30th.

  61. Water Monster · 1870s

    location unknown1 independent source

    Rail workers reported seeing a huge serpent moving through the lake in the 1870s.

  62. Water Monster · Waterbury, Connecticut · 1875

    Waterbury, Connecticut1 independent source

    The crew of the ship Pauline encountered a sea serpent coiled around a sperm whale carcass.

  63. Water Monster · 1875

    location unknown1 independent source

    A party of New England ladies and gentlemen plus two clergymen saw a sea serpent-like animal from the yacht Princess near Swampscott for two hours.

  64. Water Monster · Saint Paul, Minnesota · 1875

    Saint Paul, Minnesota1 independent source

    A fishing party from the city reported encountering a large monster in the lake that broke an oar and nearly upset their boat.

  65. Water Monster · Atlantic Ocean · 1877

    Atlantic Ocean1 independent source

    Captain W. H. Nelson reported seeing a sea serpent resembling an Ichthyosaurus in the north Atlantic.

  66. Water Monster · Waterbury, Connecticut · 1877

    Waterbury, Connecticut1 independent source

    Mr. G. S. Wesson and Mr. P. W. Fernald saw a strange animal with rough scaly skin and back protuberances resembling dirt heaps.

  67. Water Monster · 1872

    location unknown1 independent source

    Captain White reports that a large sea serpent was seen passing near his ship during the outward passage from New York to China.

  68. Water Monster · 1873

    location unknown1 independent source

    Witness reports seeing a sea serpent resembling a tapeworm in sections off the Cape in 1873.

  69. Water Monster · Vermont · 1873

    Vermont1 independent source

    The newspaper mentions a beast supposed to be a sea serpent seen near Whitehall, Vergennes, and Shelburn Bay.

  70. Water Monster · New York · 1876

    New York1 independent source

    The author reports that a sea serpent has been sighted in multiple locations and describes its physical characteristics.

  71. Water Monster · Região Nordeste, Brasil · 1876

    Região Nordeste, Brasil1 independent source

    Captain Drevor and crew observed a monster sea serpent twisting around a sperm whale off Cape St. Roque.

  72. Water Monster · North Atlantic Ocean · 1877

    North Atlantic Ocean1 independent source

    Witness reports Capt. W. H. Nelson saw a sea serpent resembling an ichthyosaurus with about forty feet out of water and girth like a flour barrel.