In 1912 Josiah Sheppard was fishing off the Bay of Islands when something strange and powerful surfaced beside his small dory. What happened next is a rare and almost unbelievable escape from one of Newfoundland’s mysterious sea creatures.

The gripping story of a 12-year-old boy from Portugal Cove, Newfoundland, who faced a life-and-death struggle with a giant squid.

On November 2, 1878 a giant squid came ashore in Thimble Tickle, Newfoundland. It became a world record holder, inspired a life-sized sculpture and appeared on a stamp. It also became dinner.

Giant squid were once the stuff of sea monsters and sailor’s tales — until Newfoundland proved they were real. From record-breakers to roadside replicas, here are 5 big facts about Newfoundland’s giant squids.