Probably no legendary sea monster was as horrifying as the Kraken. According to stories this huge, many armed, creature could reach as high as the top of a sailing ship's main mast. Kraken's would attack a ship, wrap their arms around the hull and capsize it. The crew would drown or be eaten by the monster. What's amazing about the Kraken stories is that, of all the sea monster tales we have, we have the best evidence that these are real.
Early stories about Kraken, from Norway in the twelfth century, refer to a creature the size of an island. Even in 1752, when the Bishop of Bergen, Erik Ludvigsen Pontoppidan, wrote his The Natural History of Norway he described the Kraken as a "floating island" one and a half miles across. He also noted: "It seems these are the creatures's arms, and, it is said, if they were to lay hold of the largest man-of-war, they would pull it down to the bottom." Later Kraken stories bring the creature down to a smaller, but still monstrous, size.
The Kraken of legend is probably what we know today as the giant squid. While a colossal octopus might also fit the description, the squid is thought to be much more aggressive and more likely to come to the surface where it might be seen by man. Though giant squids are considerably less then a mile and a half across, they are large enough to wrestle with a sperm whale. On at least three occasions in the 1930's they attacked a ship. While the squids got the worst of these encounters when they slid into the ship's propellers, the fact that they attacked at all shows that it is possible for these creatures to mistake a vessel for a whale.
While we may not find any ‘Kraken’ today it is stories such as these that add to the intrigue and ‘romance’ of the sea.
Sea Rover Flotilla’s are individual clubs run by their young members with guidance and assistance from experienced Instructors. Each flotilla is named after a marine creature, preferably one associated with the area in which the flotilla operates. What better name then, for a group of high-spirited adventurous youngsters than one which conjures images of sea monsters ?
Our ages range from 13 to 18 and our members tend to want ‘action’.
We operate every Sunday between 0800 and 1600 from Sea Rover House at Hope Harbour. Cost is $20 per day, which includes lunch.
You may come by either boat or car, and we provide security for boats while you are here. No matter what your interest in boats and boating, or the sea and ships we are sure you will find our activities interesting.
Why not call in and see for yourself ?