Or Kraken’s in general. Lord knows how many of them could be down there. Thank the heavens that they don’t pop up, or “Wake” more often. Scary many armed sea creatures, The Kraken is the best of a surprisingly large number of rarely sighted (and then only by loonies) sea monsters. Old fashioned maps of the seven seas often dotted the big, geographically dull, blue bits with fabulous pictures of sea serpents and mermaids. Laterly mermaids were later discredited as being walruses and narwhales. You may joke about this gross mistake, but consider, eyesight was a lot worse back then, as were standards of feminine beauty. Back then a woman with oversized tusks could be thought of as quite a catch. Mermaids however should not be confused with the airborne type of Kraken, who these days can be seen walking the street of Newcastle in white stillettos of a Friday night: or as they are better known “the Kraken Bird”.
None of which explains the mystery of The Kraken, a frightning creature often known to toy with its ship-sized prey by juggling it in its tentacles. Recently a giant squid of Kraken-like proportions was washed up: but do not think this explains the monster. Indeed it just makes it more frightening. After all what could kill a giant squid of Kraken-like proportions, except a Kraken of Kraken+1 proportions? Krakens are therefore even bigger and more deadly than we though.
Though never named, the thoroughly entertaining Steve Sommers film Deep Rising has a Kraken as the monster. This Kraken is notable for having more tentacles than the average squid and, in particular, some tentacles which are able to operate and travel by elevator. More reasons to suggest that this truly is a unexplainable, magical animal. (Deep Rising is also notable for the first appearance of the island in the TV series Lost where they are washed up at the end, replete with mystery creature).
The Kraken has inspired much sub-standard literature too, John Wyndham’s The Kraken Wakes is probably his worst novel, mainly because its Kraken are actually aliums. Tennyson wrote a poem about it too, which is a bit rub but is notable for rhyming Polypi with Lie.
Below the thunders of the upper deep,
Far far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides: above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumbered and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant fins the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages and will lie
Battering upon huge seaworms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by men and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.
Giant Squid, or mysterious creature. There is no contest I think. And if there were one, and it was arm wrestling, my money is on the Kraken.