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We hope you don’t plan on going to bed after reading these ghost ship stories…. MUAHAHAHA
1.) The Caleuche
One of the most important legends in Chilean culture belongs to a mysterious ghost ship that is known to sail around Chilote, a small island off the coast. The Caleuche is said to be a large white ship of 3 masts. The ghost ship can appear and disappear in an instant, of course, leaving no trace of evidence.
Many believe that the ship can sail underwater, much like the Flying Dutchman. Not only is the ship said to be a beautiful sight, but also a noisy one. It’s said that you can hear loud sounds of partying as it carries all of those who have drowned at sea. Who mans the haunted vessel you ask? Human slaves that were captured and turned into mythological creatures.
2. The Lady Lovibond
This ghost story involves a legendary schooner and a curse brought on by a newly married captain. On the day before Valentine’s Day in 1746, Captain Simon Reed wanted to take a celebratory cruise to Portugal with his beautiful bride. Apparently, bringing a woman aboard is bad luck, and according to this tale… it’s true.
The first mate, John Rivers, was also a potential suitor and madly in love with his captain’s new wife. While everyone celebrated the marriage below deck, Rivers became overcome with jealous rage, took hold of the steering wheel and killed everyone on the ship.
3.) The Ourang Medan
The ghost ship named the SS Ourang Medan was born after a ship wreck in the Dutch East Indies. There are just enough mysterious details to make this tale a legend. The construction, registration and history of the ship are unknown, however, there was a written reference of the ship from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1952.
Two American vessels picked up an S.O.S. from the sole survivor on the ship. Before losing communication with the shipmen, the operator heard, “I die.” The Ourang Medan was allegedly sailing from a Chinese port to Costa Rica, carrying poorly stored sulphuric acid. This container ship was found with frozen corpses that had caricature-like faces. Mysteriously, nothing else could be recovered due to a fire that caused the rescuing crews to flee.
4.) The Octavius
An 18th century schooner was found off the coast of Greenland by a 5-man whaling crew stationed aboard The Herald. The Octavius’ 28-man crew was found frozen below deck. It’s believed that the Octavius set sail for the Orient from England in 1761 via a route through the treacherous Northwest Passage. The ship became trapped in the dangerously icy waters north of Alaska.
What’s more mysterious is the time frame for when The Herald found the vessel. When the whalers boarded the ghost ship, they found the captain seated at his desk with a pen in hand. Also in the captain’s cabin was a small boy, a woman, and a sailor holding a tinder box. Upon reading the captain’s log, it was discovered that the last entry was from 13 years earlier…
5.) The Joyita
The 25-passenger merchant ship, the MV Joyita, became a ghost ship in 1955 when it disappeared into the South Pacific. The 270-mile journey was expected to only take about 48 hours. Interestingly, the original departure had to be delayed a full day due to port engine clutch failure. Hmm…
The ship was eventually found 600 miles off course and in extremely poor conditions with no one onboard. A doctor’s bag was found with bloody bandages along with the radio turned to the international station for distress. The mystery remains around why didn’t the passengers stay aboard and where did the cargo and equipment go?
6.) The Mary Celeste
In 1872 the American merchant brigantine was discovered sailing aimlessly and completely empty in the Atlantic Ocean. It was spotted erratically approaching the Dei Gratia just off the coast of Portugal. The ghost vessel was found with all of the life boats missing and the last captain’s log was dated 10 days prior. The Nova Scotian built ship had embarked on a trip from New York to Genoa.
Interestingly, all of the denatured alcohol stocks were full and the crew’s belongings were found untouched. After the mysterious discovery, many questioned if a seaquake, poisonous fumes, a waterspout, a giant squid, or if foul play from pirates could be to blame.
7.) Flying Dutchman
Originating from 17th century folklore, the Flying Dutchman is the ghost ship of all ghost ships. The haunted vessel is condemned to sail the ocean forever, and unable to make port. The first printed reference of the ship dates back to 1790, when sailors saw the ship during stormy weather. The Dutchman wanted to enter port, but it could not get a conductor to direct the distressed ship in.
Apparently, setting sight on the glowing and ghostly ship is eminent of DOOM for ships and their crew. Many have claimed that this bad omen is seen as a phantom ship that can sail over the air on a phantom-ocean.
Have you ever encountered a ghost ship or a mysterious happening on the open ocean? Please… do you share your story with us.