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‘Alien landings’ spur recollections of Waterton beast□ Veterans recall ‘Ogopogo sightings’By CHRIS MORRISON for The HeraldWATERTON - While Lethbridge residents are scratching their beads over the appearance of strange circles in a nearby wheat field, Waterton veterans recall reports more than 50 years ago of an Ogopogo-like creature in Upper Waterton Lake.The year was 1937 and, according to a Herald article, several members of the Prince of Wales Hotel staff observed his satanic majesty undulating merrily in the region of Cameron Bay during the glassy calm of early morning.”Seven years later, reports of an unexplained creature came alive again.This time a party aboard the cruise boat Donna Kay spotted the creature within five metres of their boat.According to the Herald report: As ogopogo passed, several feet of his gray length were distinctly seen. The coincidental part of ogopogo’s reappearance is that one of the boat's passengers had been among the crowd of spectators who distinctly saw the creature several years ago.”.Passengers first thought it was a floating log, “but so swift was the monster’s transit that all possibility of it being anything inanimate was just as speedily dispelled... Itis impossible to estimate the monster’s length but the girth of the portion above water was 18 to 20 inches through, giving rise to the impression that the length could have been great,”The report speculates the creature was “either a giant eel or ling. . . the seven year period of his absence could have been the beginning of the well known pilgrimage of eels to the Sargasso Sea.“The presence of both eels and lings in the waters of the Waterton Lakes has long been established,” the report says. •Long timers here still remember these stories, now with a great deal of humor, yet do one was able to say they had seen “it” themselves.The fascination with myths, monsters and the unexplained is nearly a human tradition, and, while most people won’t completely discount these stories, many will go so far as to offer an explanation.Alf Baker, year-round resident who has spent his life here, has had more opportunities than must to spot strange things on the lake. Baker, however, lays no claim to a monster.“I spent 40 years freighting on the lake for the U.S. government and I never saw it,” he says.Likewise Ernie Haug, retired park employee. Haug remembers the stories and even a few people who said they saw “it” who wouldn't admit it publically.They were afraid of being called crazy.” he says.
Newspaper Details
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
Wed, Aug 28, 1991
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Kevin S.
CA 14 Dec 2018
Other Publications Near Lethbridge, Alberta
Prairie Post
Lethbridge Sun Times
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge Daily Herald
