Alaskan Legends: The Nanuk, a Supernatural Hairy Beast Behind Mysterious Deaths

Posted Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By Squatchable.com staff

In a chilling video posted to the YouTube channel Twelve Past Midnight, the haunting mysteries of Portlock, Alaska are explored, revealing a dark history filled with inexplicable murders, eerie disappearances, and a mysterious creature known as the Nanuk. Portlock, also known as Port Chadam, was established in 1921 as a cannery town and quickly thrived with bustling industries such as lumber, chromium, and gold mining. The town's rapid growth led to the establishment of a post office, solidifying its status as a functional and dynamic community. The origins of Portlock's name are debated, with one theory attributing it to a British ship with Captain Nathaniel Portlock who sailed there in 1786. However, the town's true claim to fame comes from its haunting reputation and the mysterious incidents that have plagued the area for decades. According to local folklore, the Nanuk is described as a formidable being, part human and part beast, possessing immense strength and supernatural abilities. The term "Nanuk" roughly translates to "those who steal people" in the Chugat dialect spoken by the indigenous inhabitants of the Kai Peninsula. Reports of an unidentified, immensely strong being terrorizing the town's folk circulated even before Portlock's official establishment, with indigenous populations warning against the creatures that lurk in the wilderness. As the years passed, reports of mysterious deaths and disappearances attributed to a powerful entity stalking the area increased, further fueling the town's dark reputation. In 1905, cannery worker Albert Peta was fatally attacked by a large hairy creature, sparking fear among the locals and reinforcing the belief in the Nanuk's existence. The town's woes continued into the 1920s with gruesome slaughters and eerie phenomena troubling the residents, leading to a growing sense of dread and unease. Andrew Kamuk, a logger in Portlock, met a violent end when he was found dead under mysterious circumstances, adding to the town's list of unexplained tragedies. The situation escalated when hunters tracking a moose discovered a gruesome scene of blood and fur but no trace of the moose itself. Tracks resembling human footprints but larger in size added to the town's growing sense of dread. Reports of people going missing, strange footprints, and mutilated bodies found in the mountains only deepened the town's atmosphere of fear and mystery. Stories of individuals encountering a bipedal creature in the wilderness persisted through the decades, with some hunters describing unnerving experiences with an unknown presence. The legends of the Nanuk and an eerie ghostly woman in black that would disappear into the mountains added layers to the town's haunting history. A series of grizzly incidents, including the mysterious disappearances of hunters and fishermen who ventured into the unforgiving wilderness surrounding the town, added to the town's aura of dread. The escalating incidents of disappearances ultimately led to the abandonment of Portlock as the number of missing persons cases continued to rise. The town's deserted streets now bear witness to the haunting echoes of the past, serving as a somber reminder of the enigmatic forces that once held sway within its borders. Despite the town's desolate state, reports of encounters with the elusive Nanuk have persisted, further fueling the enigmatic reputation of the region. Locals and visitors alike have shared chilling accounts of eerie experiences in the Alaskan wilderness surrounding the former town, adding to the town's mysterious allure. I encourage our readers to watch the video and delve into the haunting mysteries of Portlock, Alaska and the mysterious creature known as the Nanuk. The video serves as a captivating reminder of the perplexing forces that once held sway within the town's borders, forever entwined with its dark and foreboding history.