Spain: A Sea Monster in Tarifa (1955)

Source: Criptozoología en España
Date: 02.22.2011

Spain: The 1955 Tarifa Sea Monster Revisited
By Javier Resines

We've recovered this odd news item discovered during a survey of newspaper libraries. The ABC and La Vanguardia newspapers, among others, remarked on the manifestation of this monster in 1955, a news item that transcended merely local information to occupy the front pages of the great national newspapers. We are transcribing the article as it was published in its day.

ABC, 08/16/1955:
"For five days now, and around twilight, an unknown marine animal unknown to this part of the Straits [of Gibraltar] has been appearing fifteen meters from the outer port of Corazón de Jesús. Some believe it is a giant octopus, while others think it belongs to another species, while those who have seen it describe it as a large entity with four or six arms on each side, which it uses to tread water as though swimming. If it hears any noise, it submerges vertically, leaving foam in the water. The strange creature has caused alarm among sailors who use rowboats for fishing in the area. This has caused them to seek other locations.

The curiosity aroused by the animal is such that many persons have seen this sea monster surfacing at sunset, visible from the port."

As is customary, the creature vanished one fine day without leaving a trace. Perhaps one of our readers may recall this event or have even been a witness to it. If so, and if interested, we would be happy to provide space in our blog for them to tell their story.

(Translation (c) 2011 S. Corrales, IHU. Special thanks to Javier Resines)