Mermaid sightings are rare. Canadian mermaids seem even rarer. So I was astonished to find that a mermaid had once been seen off my own Vancouver Island.
Did you know that in 1967, B.C. Ferries passengers saw a mermaid sitting on some rocks in Active Pass near Victoria?
Reports in the Times Colonist newspaper at the time said that the mermaid had long blonde hair, the body of a porpoise from the waist down, and was apparently eating a salmon when sighted.
The brief article on the tourism website also mentioned that a man in an aircraft took a photograph that supported the ferry passengers claim, and the Victoria newspaper printed the picture. Unfortunately, the passengers involved are "no longer available for comment".
How could I not know about this? We Vancouver Islanders have our very own rumoured sea-serpent Caddy ("Cadborosaurus"), we're home to the elusive Sasquatch, a healthy population of ghost-stories, indeed, why not mermaids?
Reports in the Times Colonist newspaper at the time said that the mermaid had long blonde hair, the body of a porpoise from the waist down, and was apparently eating a salmon when sighted.
The brief article on the tourism website also mentioned that a man in an aircraft took a photograph that supported the ferry passengers claim, and the Victoria newspaper printed the picture. Unfortunately, the passengers involved are "no longer available for comment".
How could I not know about this? We Vancouver Islanders have our very own rumoured sea-serpent Caddy ("Cadborosaurus"), we're home to the elusive Sasquatch, a healthy population of ghost-stories, indeed, why not mermaids?
So, I have been searching the internet for the alleged mermaid photo. But I can't seem to find it. My co-worker (an ex- Saltspring islander) nodded when I mentioned the article and said she'd once seen the picture.
How would she describe it? She frowned skeptically. "Well, somebody must have digitally altered it, I guess." Then she fell silent. I guess it looked like a mermaid.
While searching for the picture I came across other mermaids though. I include this mesmerizing YouTube clip for your enjoyment.
It is said that Christopher Columbus mentioned mermaids in his log book during his ocean travels. Apparently he was disappointed. "I somehow thought they'd be more attractive..., "he wrote. I'm sure he didn't see anything like the mermaid in this movie.
Underwater mermaid model Hannah Fraser is about as close to a real mermaid as a human can get. An article on Hannah said that through yoga and breath-control practice she has learned to become comfortable staying underwater....I think she's beautiful.
