Iceland review - 2012, Síða 28

26 ICELAND REVIEW
Shell MonSter
if you’re strolling on a beach and hear a rattling sound, you better make a run for
it. one of iceland’s most fearsome monsters is the shell monster (skeljaskrímsli), a
four-legged beast the size of a horse, broad and muscular, covered in shells with
long claws on its feet and a lump on its tale. it is thought to inhabit the waters off
iceland and occasionally wander ashore. the shell monster is aggressive, moves
fast and is attracted to illumination, so all lights should be put out if it approaches.
shell monsters have been sighted in all regions of the country but mostly in
the West Fjords, particularly in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. in the 20th
century the crew of an English fishing vessel is believed to have caught a shell
monster in their trawl. they immediately cut the trawl off and sailed away as fast
as they could. the beast cannot be killed with any regular weapons; lead pellets
bounce right off its armor, whereas silver buttons and lamb droppings have proven
more effective. a farmer once fended off a shell monster with an ax, skillfully
avoiding fatal blows from its tail. after struggling through the night, the monster
disappeared back into the ocean but the farmer later developed leprosy and died.
another victim was killed after being sprayed with the monster’s poisonous blood.
one survivor from the island of grímsey reported that he had been checking his
nets when he saw a giant beast wade onto the beach and move directly towards
him. he made his escape by wading over two tidal causeways and then running
as fast as he could back to his house and bolting the door. all the while he heard
the monster gaining on him, making rattling noises. such sounds are commonly
described in sightings of shell monsters and are believed to be caused either by the
rattling of the shells in which the creature is covered or its claws clacking together.