In 1915, a six-oared fishing boat named Heppinn (Lucky) set out from Kirkjuból, in the Fífustaðadalur valley, skippered by Benedikt Kristjánsson, who served for several years as district administrator in Ketildalir.

As they were returning to shore in fine weather and calm conditions, the boat suddenly ground to a halt and appeared to have run aground, although it was in the open sea. It was stuck on the back of something that seemed to be a giant beast or strange creature with a massive tail that thrashed around from time to time in the surrounding water.

Suddenly, a minke whale sped alongside the vessel. Coming so close that it almost broke the oars, it pushed the monster below the surface, so that the boat floated free and the crew managed to row ashore unharmed and in one piece.

A man riding home along the shore from church at Otradalskirkja late one evening accidently ran his horse over a monster which lay on the beach.

The creature gave chase and slashed the horse’s back causing a deep gash. It also ripped the man’s back with its claws, causing two sets of triple wounds. At last, the creature gave up and disappeared, leaving the man lying for some time nursing his wounds. His horse had to be destroyed.