Buzz
In the past, stories of octopus attacks were widespread, fueled by the belief that these creatures were grotesque and malicious beings of the ocean. They were often dubbed 'devilfish' due to their eerie appearance, with no understanding of the incredible intelligence and mystery they possess.
10. Mr. Inkster's Encounter
It's almost poetic that a diver named Inkster would find himself under attack by an octopus, but that's precisely what occurred. In 1881, while submerged about thirteen feet (four meters) beneath the surface at the Kingston jetty in Australia, an octopus attacked him. Fortunately, he carried a spear, as shark attacks were frequent in the area. He managed to stab the octopus but found himself unable to retrieve the spear because the creature's tentacles had a firm grip on it.
Inkster managed to break free and ascend back to the surface. He grabbed a crowbar and plunged back into the water, ultimately finishing off the octopus.
The octopus was brought to the surface and measured at ten feet (three meters), measured from the tips of its tentacles.
9. A Brother's Bravery
In 1928, a fourteen-year-old girl and her twenty-two-year-old brother went for a swim at Stanley Bay beach in New Zealand. With the tide low, they ventured further out into the water when the girl believed she had stepped on a branch. However, the 'branch' rose up and ensnared her legs, dragging her under the water. In a panic, the girl cried out for her brother’s help as she struggled.
As her brother hurried through the water, just as she was dragged under once more, a dark cloud of ink engulfed the scene. A tentacle shot out and clutched the brother's thigh. After breaking free from the grasp, he grabbed his sister, and a fierce tug-of-war followed. Eventually, the brother succeeded in freeing his sister from the deadly tentacles.
The octopus managed to escape, but it was noted that it was likely a smaller creature, with the young man mentioning that one of the tentacles measured only about four feet (1.2 meters) in length.
8. An Unwanted Embrace
In 1891, a diver working on the removal of an underwater wreck off the coast of New Zealand found himself unexpectedly ensnared by an octopus. The creature wrapped its arms around him, squeezing tightly. The diver managed to signal the men on the surface to pull him up, and they quickly responded.
The octopus clung to the man as his head surfaced from the water. Near the boat ladder, the octopus stretched out, ensnaring the diver and squeezing the air from his lungs. The other men fought back and, after a struggle, killed the octopus.
Remarkably, this was the second time the diver had been attacked by an octopus.
7. A Close Call with Baby Food
In 1919, at The Spit, Australia, the parents of a twelve-month-old baby thought it would be safe to place their child in only six inches of water. While the baby played, an octopus approached. Luckily, the parents arrived just in time to pull the baby from the water, avoiding any serious damage. Though the octopus had a three-foot (91 cm) arm span, it was still large enough to drag the child under the water.
6. Use Whatever You Have on Hand
Picture yourself in the water, grabbed by an unknown force, with everyone around too terrified to help. That’s what happened to James Antone in 1954, California. Weighing 265 pounds (120 kg), Antone was in deep water when something latched onto his arm. As he spun around, more tentacles reached out and held him fast.
Antone struggled to tear the tentacles off, but it was futile. His only choice was to seize the octopus’ head and drag it with him to shore. Spectators witnessed the strange sight, but none dared to assist Antone. When he finally reached a rock, Antone ed the octopus’ head against it until the creature released him. The octopus weighed 40 pounds (18kg), and its tentacles measured five feet (1.5 meters) in length.
5. Dragged into a Depths Trap
In 1952, Gordon Hastie was fishing off the coast of Pepin Island when his line became snagged. To untangle it, he jumped into waist-deep water and began following the line. Suddenly, something latched onto his ankle, pulling him underwater and into a deep hole. To make matters worse, a thick, black cloud of ink clouded the water.
Hastie fought desperately against the octopus, managing to retrieve his knife. He slashed at the tentacles and battled the creature as best he could until it finally released him. Exhausted, he swam to the surface, grateful to be alive, only to discover that the octopus' beak had taken a small chunk out of his finger.
4. Keep Your Hands Away from the Tank
Fishermen in Le Lavandou, France, captured a massive octopus and decided to entertain the vacationers. They placed it into a large tank and put it on display for the crowds. A young boy, only five years old, couldn't resist and reached his hand into the tank.
The octopus wrapped one of its tentacles around the boy’s wrist, pulling him toward the water. His mother fainted in shock, and women screamed, as reported in a 1932 newspaper. The fishermen attempted to free the boy by pulling at the tentacle but were unsuccessful. Finally, a young man, armed with a knife in hand, slashed at the tentacle, and the boy was released.
The boy survived the encounter, but we can only assume the octopus met a grim fate in the confines of its display tank.
3. It Took Hold of the Mast
In 1922, while fishing off St. Brelade, Jersey, a fisherman was in for a shocking surprise. A tentacle emerged from the water, wrapping around the mast of his boat. Moments later, another tentacle reached up and gripped his leg. The boat began to tilt dangerously, threatening to capsize, but the fisherman regained his composure. With his knife drawn, he began stabbing the tentacle that had ensnared him.
A fellow fisherman witnessed the chaos and rushed to help. He struck at the tentacle holding the mast until the boat was finally freed from its grasp.
Numerous old tales tell of fishermen vanishing without a trace, and some believed the octopuses were responsible for these mysterious disappearances.
2. Women Confront the Octopus
In 1922, Mrs. Tattershall-Dodd would never forget the terrifying experience she had at Pardigon Beach, France. She and three friends had wandered along the shore to a rocky cove. While her companions waded near the shore, Mrs. Tattershall-Dodd ventured further into the water. Suddenly, something reached up and grabbed her leg. She struggled to free herself, but more tentacles emerged, seizing both of her legs above the knees.
The woman screamed for help, and one of her friends rushed to her with a walking stick. Upon peering into the water, her friend spotted the massive head of the octopus. Without hesitation, she struck the creature repeatedly in the head with the walking stick until it released Mrs. Tattershall-Dodd.
Later, a group returned to the scene to deal with the octopus. They killed the creature, which measured five feet and four inches (1.6 meters) from one tentacle to the other.
1. Not a Fan of the New Equipment
At just fifteen years old, Charlie Edwards created his first diving suit. His passion for diving led him to design several more suits with the hope of making a commercially viable product.
In 1938, Edwards donned his latest design: a lightweight diving suit paired with a copper helmet. He could add extra weight around the waist, and the custom-designed sandals featured lead weights inside them.
As Edwards walked along the ocean floor, he startled an octopus. The creature reacted by wrapping itself around his copper helmet, blocking his vision. To make matters worse, an electric ray stung his foot, and he lost one of his lead sandals in the harbor.
Despite the challenges, Edwards emerged from the water, with the octopus still clinging to his helmet.
