If you're expecting visitors new to the Exploits Valley this summer, you might want to check out the giant squid in Glover's Harbour.
Thousands of tourists have visited the tiny community to see a life-size sculpture designed by artist and instructor Don Foulds and built by him and assistants. As comment books say at the Giant Squid Interpretation Centre, the visitors from around the world are impressed by the artwork. The sculpture is more than 55 feet long, with its tentacles attached to a massive body with glaring eyes and reared in a post suggestive of getting ready to attack its mortal enemy, the sperm whale.
The centre and its grounds are scheduled to open June 29.
At the centre, visitors can gaze over the tranquil harbour and then enter the building, which has information on giant squid in general and how this particular huge animal, in the Guinness Book of World Records, ended up in Glover's Harbour, then known as Thimble Tickle Bay, in 1878.
They can see storyboards about the giant squid and learn about how the elusive creature, normally denizens of the deep sea, periodically end up on Newfoundland beaches. Visitors can also learn about the creature in general and see full-size replicas of its eye, on average 15 inches across and the biggest eye in the world.
"We're open until Labour Day," said Lily Burton, who with husband Tranny, are co-chairs of the committee in charge of the squid exhibit.
"We've had visitors from all over the world, such as from the mainland, the U.S., Australia, even Japan. They're really amazed at the size of the giant squid. They find it hard to believe that something this size ended up here in Glover's Harbour."
How did Architeuthis dux (the species' scientific name) end up in the outport to begin with?
It was the only member of the species to be caught alive. Fishermen had spotted the animal floundering in the surf, attached a rope to it while it was in its death throes, and later hauled the squid to shore where it was measured and chopped up for dog food.
Little is known about the elusive giant. It has been called "last of the great sea monsters" and lives thousands of metres down in the deep ocean.
But while the giant squid of Glover's Harbour is long gone, residents still celebrate its legacy. They sell Giant Squid T-shirts and sweatshirts at the centre, and even make it a focus of its regular Glover's Harbour Day.
Super squid
The giant squid of Glover's Harbour was known in residents' local history and to the Guinness Book of World Records, but was unfamiliar to many others until the past few years. Now the life-sized sculpture - its longest tentacles are 55 feet - and the nea
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- Published on May 25th, 2009
- Published on June 22nd, 2010
- SUE HICKEY
Museum set to open next month
If you're expecting visitors new to the Exploits Valley this summer, you might want to check out the giant squid in Glover's Harbour.
Thousands of tourists have visited the tiny community to see a life-size sculpture designed by artist and instructor Don Foulds and built by him and assistants. As comment books say at the Giant Squid Interpretation Centre, the visitors from around the world are impressed by the artwork. The sculpture is more than 55 feet long, with its tentacles attached to a massive body with glaring eyes and reared in a post suggestive of getting ready to attack its mortal enemy, the sperm whale.
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- Aaron
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:52
It's great to see this article - great exposure for a beautiful area that tourists should visit. The giant squid at Glover's Harbour was caught by Joseph Martin, my wife's great great grandfather and one of the town's founders. Some of Joseph Martin's descendents still reside there, and we sometimes go fishing with family members off Glover's Harbour. It's an absolutely beautiful area, full of great people. Thanks for this article.
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- Thane
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:44
Fasinating story. I'm writing a book about big things in Canada and would like to find out more information about how the squid was sighted. How many men did it take to bring it ashore etc.? Aaron Hynes I wonder if you have a handed down story?
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- Aaron
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:05:27
It's great to see this article - great exposure for a beautiful area that tourists should visit. The giant squid at Glover's Harbour was caught by Joseph Martin, my wife's great great grandfather and one of the town's founders. Some of Joseph Martin's descendents still reside there, and we sometimes go fishing with family members off Glover's Harbour. It's an absolutely beautiful area, full of great people. Thanks for this article.
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- Thane
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:05:12
Fasinating story. I'm writing a book about big things in Canada and would like to find out more information about how the squid was sighted. How many men did it take to bring it ashore etc.? Aaron Hynes I wonder if you have a handed down story?
