Since time immemorial, mankind has been fascinated by what lies within the dark, mysterious (and in some cases unknown) depths of the seas, rivers and lakes that cover our planet. Could there be marine monsters, gruesome sea serpents or dinosaur-like creatures lurking in our waters? Many people believe that indeed, there are!
In every part of the world, these mystical creatures have spawned colourful legends. Here are three such marine monsters, starting with one right here in the Eastern Townships!
Memphré
What could be skulking around the waters of Lake Memphremagog?
The first recorded sighting of a “sea monster” dates back to 1816. However, long before that, First Nations people told tales of an “anaconda” (water boa) that lived in the lake. They were afraid to approach it, in case it surged out of the water and attacked them!
Apparently, Magog’s Historical Society has over 200 documented accounts of the appearance of a monster in Lake Memphremagog! Those who believe they’ve seen such a creature describe it as being a long sea serpent that looks a little bit like a dragon or a marine dinosaur.
So, with those reports in mind, keep your eyes peeled the next time you take a cruise on the lake. You never know, you might be lucky enough to spot the elusive Memphré…
Finally, there is an illustrated children’s book about Memphré that your little ones might find entertaining!
Nessie
Nessie is probably the best known of all the sea monsters, and she is said to live (or lived?) in Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Historical references to Nessie have been made since at least the 7th century, but it was only in the 1930s that she started making the headlines. Over the years, there have been over 1,000 supposed sightings!
(In fact, there’s even a register that calculates alleged sightings in real time! Check out the website here.)
Years of research have been carried out in the waters of Loch Ness to try to verify that such a sea monster might exist, but with zero success. Nonetheless, the story of Nessie (a female name derived from the lake in which she lives) and the many legends associated with her continues to fascinate tourists who trek north in the hope of catching a glimpse of this most famous of sea creatures.
As is the case with Escapades Memphremagog, visitors can take a cruise around Loch Ness aboard a sightseeing boat to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Ogopogo
Lake Okanagan, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, is home to a big, bad sea serpent known as Ogopogo. While several sightings have been reported down the years—the first dating back to 1873—it’s more than likely that the origin of this particular sea creature is, in fact, a First Nations legend, something along the lines of a “sacred spirit of the lake”.
Still, many people believe that Ogopogo does exist, and they continue trying to prove it. Recent sightings are listed here.
By the 1980s, the Ogopogo craze was growing so fast that the local tourist board offered a million-dollar reward to anyone who could prove the sea monster’s existence. At the time, the environmental organization Greenpeace had to step in and warn people not to harm the monster/animal, which was probably an endangered species—at least in theory!
Discover Lake Memphremagog aboard one of the Escapades Memphrémagog cruises. While we can’t guarantee any sightings of Memphré (!), we CAN promise you exceptional views around this majestic body of water, especially during the Flambée des couleurs—the annual celebration of the fall colours.
Want to learn more about Lake Memphremagog? Check out this blog post which lists nine interesting facts about the lake.