Cryptid Vault
Gloucester Sea Serpent

Gloucester Sea Serpent

Also known as: Cape Ann Serpent, Great New England Sea Serpent

Hundreds of witnesses watched a giant serpent patrol Gloucester Harbor for weeks in 1817.

First Reported

1817

Origin Area

Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts, USA

Size

60-100 ft long

Temperament

Curious, non-aggressive

Status

Historical (no modern sightings)

Repeated sightingsLow DangerNorth AmericaOcean

The Lore

In August 1817, a massive sea serpent was observed repeatedly in Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts over several weeks. Hundreds of witnesses, including fishermen, sailors, and prominent citizens, described a dark serpentine creature 60-100 feet long moving through the water with a series of vertical humps. The Linnaean Society of New England conducted a formal investigation, collecting sworn depositions from dozens of eyewitnesses. It remains one of the best-documented sea serpent flaps in history.

Body Type

SerpentineAquatic

Folklore Origin

Historical reports

Notable Witnesses

  • Amos Story
  • Solomon Allen
  • Linnaean Society of New England investigators

Similar Real Animals

OarfishBasking shark (surface swimming)