Thursday, July 17, 2008
Underground Monsters
The new issue of Fate magazine includes an article from me on mysteries of the London Underground subway-system. For years, rumors have been quietly told of encounters with strange beasts in the tunnels below Britain's capital - including spectral man-beasts, big-cats and more. If you're interested in cryptozoological stories of the underground kind, check it out!
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Speaking of underground creatures---did you see the episode on MonsterQuest about Giant Rats?
That also had to do with nasty denizens of the dark underground. If there are such things as Giant Rats in the underground bowels of NYC, who's to say they're not found in London as well?
Yikes.
Maybe alligators, too...
Most urban legends spring from a kernel of true experience.
I'll see if I can get my hands on that Fate magazine. Psychologically, underground is where all the "true," interesting stuff is at.
C:
Yeah, I did see it - interesting! It wasn't strictly crypto, but made for good viewing!
You're right, Nick, the episode wasn't strictly "crypto," in the sense of "unknown creature" crypto, however, it did veer in that direction (my opinion) when it delved into the possibility of there being "giant" versions of a known species running around NYC.
Many, many people think that is unlikely.
I'll go ahead and say this, but I cannot understand why there is so much skepticism regarding the possibility of a rat the size of a cat running around the deep, deep bowels of a major city like London or New York. Again, we're not talking about an unknown creature here, this is a known, well-established species of animal.
And with miles upon miles of underground chambers, tunnels and covered section of cities, it stands to reason there would be room enough, food enough, and stress-free, isolated environment enough for a big-size version of many creatures to develop. Occular observation enough is worth contemplating the possibility of this. Exterminators and civilians like me have seen larger-than-usual rats---I bet even you have seen some of these big mothas---so what is so hard to believe about this?
The underground of a city is like the fathomless ocean---there's so much we don't know about it. Things of all shapes sizes could be lurking under the surface ground or sea and never be detected. What's to say conditions were not adequate for a rat to grow to over-the-normal size? What about witnesses like the scared guy in the episode who said he saw "the mother of all mothers" (love that turn of phrase) with his own eyes? Do we just dismiss the guy as a drunk? Maybe he overestimated the size?
Maybe. But there's enough accounts and stories about stuff like this to have one one make an educated guess that there is at least a good level of truth to the tales.
Same with alligators. I'll bet if you interview enough sanitation workers in NYC or London or Paris, you will find folks enough that will tell of sightings like this to make the hair on your neck stand up.
Until the 19th century, the Giant Squid was dismissed. Sure, squids existed, they said, but Giant ones big enough to kill whales and capsize boats? No way, they said, silly superstitious sailors-or overestimation of size due to fear-or simply misidentification.
Forget experienced fishermen or sailors---we're the experts, by Jove, and we say there is no Giant Squid!!!
All good and dandy---until in the 1870s---almost as if by schedule---bodies of the squids and body parts began to wash up on beaches around the world. Showing irrefutable proof that these things existed. Then Daniel Squires and Theophilus Piccot and his son Tom almost got killed by one of these "mythical" beasts one morning in 1873 off the coast of Newfoundland---the squid tried to drag their little fisherman boat under but Tom had the sense of mind to grab a hatchet and chop one of the squid's arms and tentacles off so the creature backed down. The tentacle alone measured approximately 19 feet across. Again, irrefutable proof that these things existed. Forcing the establishment to then eat their words. Today the Giant Squid is an accepted, though rarely seen, scientific fact.
Silly witnesses. Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?
I'm about to say something that may be considered "unscientific" or "illogical" or "not fully thought through"---but if we allow for the existence of giant versions of certain animals by visual experience and proof---like the squid---is there not then a good chance that a creature like the rat could grow and mutate to huge size due to certain propitious conditions?
What I'm saying is---
Can't we put this under the heading of---"no physical proof but high possibility of existence?"
That's all I'm saying, Nick.
This is not like Herodotus's "Giant Ants," that were seen once in ablue moon. These are allegedly "often seen" creatures.
My daughter and her neighbors have spotted a cougar in their area ... central Pennsylvania USA. They told the game comission but of course they will do nothing because they say the dont exist. Hopefully no one will get hurt proving them wrong. (including the cougar) Some think the comission tagged them and released them. Their uncooperative attitudes are making me think they just might be correct!
Deby:
That's very interesting, as in the UK officials are often keen to aay there's nothing to the whole UK big cat controversy too.
C:
I think that no matter whether it's the US, the UK, or wherever, people seem to have a fascination with underground mysteries. I once thought about doing a book on the subject once. Maybe it's time to think of it again!
That would be good of you to do that...
Could it be the establishment thinks people will unreasonably "panic" if informaed of the existence of cougars/panthers/phantom cats/giant holy whatevers in their area?
I think that's what's behind a lot of the dismissiveness and skepticism.
Deby, I'm sorry that happened to you and yours. A similar thing just happened in Colorado. Large lion was spotted chasing dogs. Happened near an animal reserve, of all things. A somewhat ambiguous photo was taken by a witness. Some said it was a cat, some a real lion.
A wildlife expert examined the creatures tracks and decalred them to be "lion" tracks. Then all of a sudden, the search was called off and the sighting was declared "a domestic cat" sighting. No real resolution. Which is it, folks?
I guess they may have caught the lion and returned it to the sactuary and just lied to the media to allay fears about something like this escaping again.
This was talked about at Cryptomundo. Go figure.
I wonder if this guy came from underground in this breaking story?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080717/ap_on_fe_st/odd_snake_washing_machine
Try again:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080717/ap_on_fe_st/odd
hmmm...that link seems not to work, so I'm going to make a post of it instead...
hmmm...that link seems not to work, so I'm going to make a post of it instead...
I dont think the big cats are cryptids but I would love to read about underground creatures. Not necessarily the gator flushed down the toity but amazing animals that have adapted to the enviroment.
Besides the legends and reports of alligators in the sewers, I've also heard third-hand rumors of CHUDs lurking underground beneath Manhattan.
Brian
Besides the legends and reports of alligators in the sewers, I've also heard third-hand rumors of strange monstrous humanoids lurking beneath the streets of New York City.
You should totally write that book, I would def. read it!
A book on underground mysteries? That would be absolutely fantastic, Nick, if you can find the time. Just as with all of your other books, I know it would be a great read. Can't wait ....
Brian, Kithra, Deby:
Well, looks like I might have to think about doing that book!
That would be great of you to do it.
Brian Gaugler:
CHUD was also a movie many moons ago. Thanks for the nostalgia trip.
Yeah,
I remember CHUD. I'm a huge horror film fan, but I thought CHUD was awful! LOL.
Dude no way, CHUD is classic!
CHUD II, on the other hand, we won't discuss that movie..(had a good soundtrack though).
Brian
We are going to have to differ! LOL.
Although, all this talk of weird underground monsters is definitely making me think "book."
I may even put CHUD in there!
To write the book ... would you really go underground, Nick? Now THAT'S scary!!!!
Deby:
Yes, I certainly would go underground! I've actually done a lot of that type of thing, such as going into old underground sections of closed-down old military bases with ghost, monster, UFO etc legends. A trip down into the old sewers or tunnels beneath a city would be very cool!!
Just the psychological drama itself would be enough to write a book let alone if you find something!
I will not comment on the merits of CHUD. To each his own. OK, maybe, not great. I was simply thanking Brian for reminding me of days when I was younger and had more hair. (I'm 37.) (Smile.)
C:
If nothing else, I'm sure all the talk of CHUD will prompt people who haven't seen it to now want to! LOL.
If you are looking to do some urban exploring in the sewers and tunnels of the big city, you should come to New York City sometime, no better place for it! ; )
Sounds good!
you should compare the underground of London to the underground of New York!
There has been some fascinating creatures seen in London's Underground, seals, wild pigs, weird insects and of course the bizarre legends such as the phantom 'maniac' who was once known for pushing victims in front of oncoming trains...in the end his reign of terror became a true spook story on the lines...all will be revealed! Of course, there are also tales of dark spirits down there and tunnels that have been blocked off and others which seem to lead to nowhere....by the way, CHUD is ****! Ha!
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