THINK ABOUTIT ENTITY SIGHTING REPORT
Date: Summer 1814
Sighting Time:
Day/Night: afternoon
Location: West coast of Scotland
Urban or Rural: –
Entity Type: a creature half human and half fish
Entity Description: upper part was exactly like a woman, the skin appeared very white, and a good deal of color in the cheeks, and very long darkish looking hair; the arms were well proportioned above, but tapered very much towards the hands, which were no longer than a child’s. The tail was like an immense large cuddy fish in color and shape.
Hynek Classification: CE-III (Close Encounter III) Close observation with animate beings associated with the object.
Duration: two hours
No. of Object(s): 1
Size of Object(s):
Distance to Object(s):
Shape of Object(s):
Color of Object(s):
Number of Witnesses:
Source: Jerome Clark, Unexplained!
Summary/Description: A frightened boy reported seeing a creature half human and half fish, he got nothing but ridicule for his efforts. A month later a group of children saw what they thought was a drowning woman, whom closer examination revealed to be something else entirely. The upper part was exactly like a woman, the skin appeared very white, and a good deal of color in the cheeks, and very long darkish looking hair; the arms were well proportioned above, but tapered very much towards the hands, which were no longer than a child’s. The tail was like an immense large cuddy fish in color and shape. Other witnesses arrived, including a man with a rifle that was dissuaded by the others to shoot at it. The creature remained in sight for two hours, at times making a hissing noise like a goose.
Investigative Analysis: The 1814 West Coast Humanoid
The 1814 West Coast of Scotland sighting is a significant case in maritime cryptozoology due to the length of the encounter and the specific anatomical details provided by multiple witnesses. Lasting for approximately two hours, this observation moves beyond the realm of a “fleeting glimpse” and enters the category of a detailed biological study.
Anatomical Anomalies
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Facial and Skin Characteristics: The entity was noted for having a “very white” complexion with significant color in the cheeks. This vivid coloration is atypical for known marine mammals like seals, which are often the skeptical explanation for such sightings.
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Upper Limb Structure: A particularly unique detail is the description of the arms: “well proportioned above” but tapering to hands no larger than a child’s. This specific proportioning suggests a complex bone structure rather than the simple musculature of a flipper.
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Vocalizations: The report describes the creature making a “hissing noise like a goose”. This vocal detail is a rare addition to mermaid reports and provides a possible lead for comparing the entity to known animal sound patterns.
Behavioral Patterns
The creature’s lack of fear—remaining in sight for two hours even as witnesses gathered—is unusual. The intervention by bystanders to prevent a man from shooting at it also highlights a 19th-century shift in perception, where such beings were viewed with curiosity or protective awe rather than immediate threat. This encounter qualifies as a CE-III because it involves the close observation of an animate being in a maritime context.
Summary
The 1814 West Coast of Scotland sighting stands as a remarkably well-documented case of a maritime humanoid encounter, notable for both its long duration and the corroboration of multiple witnesses. By moving beyond folklore and providing specific physical and vocal details, this report remains a cornerstone for researchers studying historical CE-III events and the enduring mystery of the sea.
