The Manitowoc Pilot

May 26, 1904

“Overdue Fish Stories”

Tales of a Sea Serpent, Monster Oyster, and a Man-Eating Lobster Arrive and Complete Cycle.

While returning to his home late the other day William Blackman saw a long, dark object being tossed by the restless waves beating on the beach at Ventnor, N.J. At last one big comber left it stranded high on the sands.

Blackman approached. Before him lay a sea serpent 18 feet long and with a head 12 inches from ear to ear. Its mouth was the same size. The next morning it could not be found.

About the same time Richard Burbage of Pleasantville, went oyster hunting in Lake’s bay. After a mighty struggle he landed a bivalve, he says, which measured two feet in length, 14 inches across the back, 12 inches in depth and the meat in it weighed 24 pounds. All Pleasantville can bear witness that no oyster ever caught was its equal.

Then John Winder proved the rule of three and made the cycle complete. Winder is mate of the yacht Pittsburgh, and he pulled a lobster up on a codfish line, while fishing 20 miles off shore. It weighed, Winder says, 45 pounds.

“It was either a man-eater or the original lobster,” says Winder.

All Atlantic City is aghast at these happenings.

“Historic Cryptid Headlines” showcases actual articles involving cryptids that were published within United States newspapers back in the 1800’s-1900’s. The articles posted here are written exactly as they appeared during their original publishing date.

-The Pine Barrens Institute