Is the Creepy Legend of Shippa, a Missouri River Monster Real?

Like many, I grew up next to the Mississippi River in Missouri and have heard my share of stories about a creature that lurks in those waters. Have you heard of the legend of Shippa? Is this monster supposedly found in the rivers in Missouri real or something else entirely?

Before I get started, a good friend of mine wrote a wonderful article years ago about the legend of Shippa in Hannibal and this isn't that. It is a compelling read which I highly recommend, though.

I have heard whispers of a monster named Shippa lurking in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Depending on who you hear the stories from, the creature is either a mermaid, river monster or prankster or all of the above. The name apparently came about after a riverboat worker shouted "ship a" as a warning of a near-miss collision with an approaching vessel.

What do the legends say the Missouri river monster "Shippa" does?

One fun story I've heard is the Shippa was a woman named Shippa Mae Delaney who fell in love with a riverboat captain who vanished in a storm. She disappeared into the water searching for him and was never seen again as a human, but she will appear during thick fog or storms and whisper the name of anyone who dares to get too close to the river.

There is a darker side to the Shippa according to fishermen, though

I've heard those who fish in the Mississippi River say that the Shippa waits in the fog waiting to drag any fisherman down to the depths if they take too many fish out of the river. Some say she sang while others claimed they heard her scream.

What is the truth of the Shippa and how did the Missouri legend get born?

I asked artificial intelligence and it said "Shippa is a mysterious river creature often mentioned in folklore, particularly in connection with water spirits and folklore traditions". The only solid evidence that I could find of the Shippa's existence is a reference to a Hudson River monster named "Kipsy". Whether you call the monster in the waters Shippa or Kipsy, there are many stories of fishermen who claim tell of their encounters with the creature.

While the proof remains elusive, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that lives near the rivers of Missouri who either hasn't heard of a mysterious creature in the waters - or who doesn't have a story of their own to tell.