St. Margaret's Bay has its share of legends and tall tales. A sea monster shaped as a serpent has been sighted several times in and around the Bay area. Three members of the British Rifle Brigade first discovered it in 1833, while on a fishing expedition. Once again in 1846, James Wilson and John Boehner, both of Peggy's Cove, reputedly saw the creature, and George Dauphinee of Boutilier's Point also recorded seeing the monster near Hackett's Cove, while rowing in his skiff. Three years later, four British naval officers who were visiting the area sighted the Bay's eminent monster. The fact that Naval Officers are trained observers of things nautical gave their report a ring of truth. However, it might also attest to the strength of Navy rum.

On August 5, 1872, the following article was written in a Halifax newspaper called the Acadian Recorder. A gentlemen who has just returned from St. Margaret's Bay reported that the great sea serpent made its appearance on Saturday last, in the vicinity of Millers and Georges Islands. Something like a large barrel was observed floating in the water. A party of fishermen went out to investigate the matter. When they discovered that what they took to be a barrel was the monster's head, they were terrified, as on their approach the terrible animal stretched its jaws disclosing a mouth of vivid red colour. The frightened men at once turned and in haste rowed ashore. The animal was afterwards passed by another boat, the men in which affirm that they saw at least thirty feet of its length and judged it to be considerably longer. It is said to be destroying the poor people's nets, going through them rendering them at its pleasure. It is also averred that this or a similar sea serpent appears in the vicinity about once every ten to fifteen years.

The former St. Margaret's Bay Business and Tourism Association adopted the sea serpent as a mascot and logo in 1982 and officially named the monster, TARGA.

These tales make one wonder if TARGA might still be lurking within the waters of St. Margaret's Bay today.

Contributed by Alfreda Withrow

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