Action Comics #82 (1945)

Superman is on a mission in Action Comics #82 to investigate the existence of a mystical “water sprite”. When young Nellie Thornley sees a hideous apparition in the water while drawing water from the well, Lois and Clark write off the story as her overactive imagination. However, when a second sighting of the sprite occurs, Lois and Clark are sent to investigate. Along the way, they discover that the town's levee is about to break and cause a flood. Superman changes into his costume and shores up the levee, but as he finishes the job, he hears a cry for help from Lois, who is being attacked by the sprite. As Superman tries to attend to a fire set by the sprite, the sprite himself escapes. Later, building contractor Darby is trying to convince Anniston's mayor that the levee is insufficient to protect the town and that a dam needs to be built. Lois and Clark support Darby's story, although Clark thinks the levee break was sabotage. Eventually, the mayor agrees and Darby and his crew begin work on the dam. As work progresses, the water sprite is sighted again, this time attempting to destroy some of the building work. Superman tackles him, but again the sprite provides a diversion and escapes. However, Superman finally manages to capture the sprite and unmask him. It turns out that Darby is using his diving skills to play the part of the water sprite, and that the acts of sabotage on the levee were to convince the town to build the dam. Darby made a lot of money by using substandard materials to build the dam, and planned to blame the dam's collapse on the sprite so he wouldn't be implicated. Join Superman on this thrilling adventure as he saves the day once again in Action Comics #82!