| Martin's Beach Creature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Binomen | N/A | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Body type | Fish-like | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sentience | Sentient | ||
| Sapience | Unknown | ||
| Aggressivity | Extreme | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Habitat | Pacific Ocean | ||
| Locomotion | Serpentine | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Cthulhu Mythos | ||
| Created by | H. P. Lovecraft and Sonia Greene | ||
This is a species of mysterious, unnamed sea creatures which inhabit the Pacific Ocean.
Biology[]
The creature was classified as a gilled fish, but possesses curious anatomical features, including a single cyclopic eye, rudimentary forelegs and a pair of six-toed feet in place of pectoral fins. Its skin is described as thick and scaly. Although the only officially examined specimen was a juvenile, it still reached an impressive length of about 50 feet (15.24 m), with a diameter of about 10 (3.048 m). Its body is serpentine, roughly cylindrical in shape. Its brain is also extraordinarily well-developed, compared to the ordinary fish, which may indicate the source of its apparent psychic abilities.
History[]
On May 17, 1922, the fishing boat Alma, commanded by Captain James P. Orne was attacked by one of these creatures. After nearly forty hours of battle the crew was finally able to kill the menacing beast, whose body was preserved for the scientific community to study. The analysis concluded that despite its humongous size, the animal was definitely an infant.
Investing on the construction of a marine museum in the vicinity of Martin's Beach, Captain Orne made considerable money by exhibiting his fantastic prize. However, on July 20, a boat carrying the specimen was mysteriously lost in the sea.
The next happening came on August 8, when a strange rippling reverberated over the waves at Martin's Beach and an inhuman scream of despair was heard. Two lifeguards took action and threw an air-cushion, believing someone was drowning. The air-cushion was swallowed by the creature, causing a great commotion. A group of people was formed, led by Captain Orne himself, to pull on the rope. However a strange psychic influence caused them to behave as if their hands were stuck on the rope, unable to let go of it. With great horror, the remaining viewers at Martin's Beach watched as a storm formed and the rope was slowly pulled to the depths of the ocean dragging Orne and his group with it.
Appearances[]
- The Horror at Martin's Beach, by Sonia H. Greene and H. P. Lovecraft (1923).