In 1895 — 127 years ago today — the New York Times reported a sighting of a giant sea serpent off the shore at Spring Lake, New Jersey.
There were other sightings too in the New York City area, including several at the Brooklyn Bridge.
Phillip N. Jackson, vice president of the Newark Electric Light and Power Co., said he saw the creature — which traveled through the water at great speed and was about 100 feet long.
A number of folds in the creature’s body were plainly seen as it rose and fell, Jackson said.
Another witness told Scientific American that the body of the long creature was as large around as a flour barrel. “The nose and mouth resembled those of an alligator, but there were no tentacles to be seen. The body was smooth and round and of dark color,” the witness, Willard P. Shaw of 41 Wall Street, said.
Shaw also said the creature was about 100 feet long and travelled about 50 miles an hour and jumped from the water several times.
An image of the serpent was created by Currier & Ives.