In 1817, American scientists officially declared a new sea monster genus existed.

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: This video examines the 1817 investigation by the Linnaean Society of New England into reports of a mysterious sea creature. It explores how a scientific body concluded they had discovered an entirely new genus native to the United States coast.

In 1817, the Linnaean Society of New England conducted a formal inquiry into sightings of a sea monster. Following a scrupulous examination of the evidence, the society published a report asserting they had identified a new species and a previously unknown genus. This episode provides historical context for these claims, highlighting a moment when scientific authority officially validated the existence of a creature that remains a curiosity of American history.

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