There really were savage battles between man and giant squid in the 19th century. They all come off as a little bit one sided, though: some poor sick squid floundering on the surface is encountered by a passing ship, harpoons and gaff hooks are thrown, and if the dying beast manages to fling a tentacle across the deck, the brutes hack it off with axes.
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I declare today all Kraken day! I bet Kevin Bacon is happy. In case you have not got your fill, browse these old post for fun.
The foreshadowing last week was accurate.