As a sailor, I can tell you firsthand that if there is one thing you can trust; it is the veracity of sea stories. This is especially true if they begin with a gnarled up old Salt saying something along the lines of listen up… and this ain’t no shit.
And the entirety of this particular cryptids tale revolves around a German office from a World War 1 U Boats sighting during the excitement of having just sunk the SS Iberian. Still it is an interesting account.
Here is the background as I found it.
U28 Creature:
Known Origin and Basic Lore:
- Origin: The U28 Creature’s name derives from a sighting by the crew of the German submarine U-28 during World War I.
- Lore: According to reports, the U28 Creature was observed following the explosion of the British steamer SS Iberian, when the blast allegedly hurled a large aquatic creature out of the water, described as having reptilian features.
While there is no fully detailed and verified military report available for public access, the most widely circulated account of the U-28 creature sighting comes from the testimony of the German U-boat commander, Captain Georg von Forstner. Below is a reconstruction based on available sources, including his memoirs and various accounts:
Military Report and Log: U-28 Sighting of the Creature
Date: July 30, 1915
Location: North Atlantic Ocean, approximate coordinates of the sinking of SS Iberian
U-boat: SM U-28
Commander: Kapitänleutnant Georg-Günther Freiherr von Forstner
Incident Description:
Time of Engagement:
- Morning: U-28 spotted the British steamer SS Iberian. The submarine maneuvered into an attack position and launched a torpedo.
Impact and Sinking:
- Torpedo Strike: The torpedo struck SS Iberian, causing a significant explosion. The steamer began to sink rapidly by the bow.
- Observation: Approximately 25 seconds after the explosion, Captain von Forstner and the crew observed a significant underwater detonation. The force of this secondary explosion was substantial, suggesting it was either from the ship’s cargo or fuel.
Creature Sighting:
- Emergence: Following the explosion, an enormous aquatic creature was reported to have been flung from the water, hurled by the force of the blast.
- Description by Captain von Forstner:
- Length: Estimated to be around 20 meters (approximately 60 feet).
- Appearance: The creature was described as having a crocodile-like body, with a long, pointed tail and webbed limbs.
- Coloration: Dark, rough, and scaly skin.
- Visibility Duration: The creature was visible for 10 to 15 seconds before disappearing back into the sea.
Crew Reactions:
- Eyewitness Accounts: Multiple crew members corroborated the sighting, each providing similar descriptions of the creature’s appearance and behavior.
Logbook Entry:
- Date and Time: 30 July 1915, approximately 11:45 AM
- Location: North Atlantic, precise coordinates undisclosed
- Activity: Engaged and sunk SS Iberian
- Additional Notes: “Following the sinking of the enemy steamer, an enormous aquatic creature was observed emerging from the depths, propelled by the force of the explosion. The creature, resembling a giant crocodile with webbed limbs, was visible for a short duration before submerging. This encounter was witnessed by several crew members.”
Conclusion and Remarks:
- Commander von Forstner: Later recounted the event in his memoirs, noting the extraordinary nature of the sighting. He emphasized the credibility of his crew and the uniqueness of the encounter.
- Skeptical View: Some modern historians and marine biologists suggest the creature could have been a misidentified large marine animal, such as a whale or a known species of large fish, distorted by the chaotic conditions following the explosion.
Post-Incident Analysis:
- Verification: The incident remains one of the more mysterious accounts in naval history, with no concrete evidence beyond the testimonies of those aboard U-28.
- Impact on Cryptozoology: The sighting has been a point of interest for cryptozoologists, contributing to discussions about the possibility of unknown large marine creatures.
This reconstructed report summarizes the known details of the U-28 creature sighting, based on historical accounts and testimonies from the time.
Significant Sightings:
- July 30, 1915: The most notable sighting occurred on this date. The German U-boat commander, Captain Georg von Forstner, reported seeing the creature in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean following the sinking of SS Iberian.
Physical Description:
- Size: Estimated to be about 60 feet long.
- Shape: Reptilian in nature with a crocodile-like body.
- Color: Dark, with rough, scaly skin.
- Distinct Features: Long, tapered tail and webbed limbs.
Behaviors:
- Swimming: Described as a powerful swimmer, capable of surfacing rapidly.
- Reaction to Stimuli: Known from the sighting to have been propelled out of the water by an underwater explosion.
Abilities:
- Speed: Capable of rapid movement in water.
- Strength: Suggested to be powerful, inferred from its size and musculature.
- Camouflage: Potential to blend into dark, murky waters due to its coloration.
Preferred Habitat and Range of Sightings:
- Habitat: Believed to inhabit deep oceanic waters.
- Range: Sightings are extremely rare, primarily reported in the North Atlantic region during the early 20th century.
Likelihood of Existence Based on Similar Species:
- Comparison with Known Species: Similarities can be drawn with large marine reptiles from the Mesozoic era, such as Mosasaurs or Plesiosaurs. Some cryptozoologists suggest it could be a surviving member of these ancient species.
- Scientific Perspective: The likelihood of a large marine reptile existing undetected in modern times is considered low by mainstream science due to the extensive exploration and study of marine environments. However, deep ocean areas remain less explored, leaving a small possibility open for unknown species.
- Modern Analogues: Large marine animals like the giant squid and certain deep-sea sharks were once thought to be myths but have been discovered, suggesting that undiscovered large marine creatures could potentially exist.
Summary: The U28 Creature remains one of the more intriguing cryptid sightings from the early 20th century, primarily due to the credibility lent by a military officer’s report. While its existence is debated, the creature adds a fascinating chapter to marine cryptozoology, highlighting the mysteries that still reside in our oceans.
