Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-24
From the Rochester Republican.
THE HAUNTED SHIP.

During the last war, one of our frigates cap
tured in The Pacific large English whaler;
and, TO the surprise of the boarding. officer, he
found the crew manlfesiing great desire to be
on board the frigaie, and evidently quite salts.
.f5ed, if not sraf:ffed that they were captured.
On inquiry it was found that tho captured
whaler was haunted ship! The news soon
spread through the frigate; and the next trouble
was to assemble oilling prize creto to go on
board the prize--which trouble might have
been serious one, but for the force of disci-
pline. The prize was large and valuable
ship-but she was haunted! The authentic
report was, that during still night. when no
other noise was heard, and no other motion
felt than that Of the slow, undulating move
ment of Pacific ocean sea, deep and dead
ly groan was heard below. coming apparently
from the afer-part Of the vessel, aud heard
distinctly from every open haichway; and SO
grea, was the panic at last, tina. the captain de-
clared he could not induce man to 60 below.
The prize master, on taking possession. pre-
tended TO disbelieve the story, and declared
tina, if he heard any grooming or other ghostly
noise he'd soon find out the cause. As evening
approached the prize crew began TO listen; and
sure enough, when the usual noise Of ship-work
had subsidized, and all was silence, long deep
drawn sigh came up through the after hatch
way, and increased at intervals as silence pre-
vailed, till at last full and audible groan
came forth, that not only huddled the prize
crew into close forecas,le group, but made
their blood curdle and their teeth chatter.
Groan succeed groan and at short intervals,
till at length the prise master interposed--
"where in does that noise come 'front.'
~ A. .je mad of
this call; all hands were already on deck }
"Steward, get lights; come men arm yourselves
and follow me. I'm ID If don't have
a tussel with this groaner."
He led the way, and the crew followed
On reaching the tween decks, be stopped and
listened to get the direction of the groan. Il
came, as before, from the after part of the
ship; and so deep and long drawn, that it SEEM
ed The last life effor. of a Hercules 10 an ex-
haus,ed death siruggle-a fnll sigh terminating
in a groan Of agony.!!
The dauntless prize master, though armed
with boarding-sword, stood for moment
petrifed. Had be retreaied one step it is quite
cer,rn every one Of his followers would very
soon have been found hudded together again
in a group on the forecastle, so terrible was
that last groan, and so awful It's effect upon
the hearts of those who on occasions OF battle
were found foremost in the fight Bot hs held
his pround-i, was no time to finch and cheer
ed his men onward to follow him. They came
10 a large state room, or siow-hole, through
which il was necessary 10 pass, and began
with the aid Of a dim light held BY trembling
steward, 10 remove some obsiruciruc,ions in
Inc way, The first thing the prize master
accidentally pu, his hand on was the arm,
shoulder, and part Of the face Of an old mutila-
ted figure-head, which perhaps formerly dec
Grated the Prov Of the ship. Pulling it out
of mass of old rigging and holding il up, he
face,iously exclaimed, Heres part Of Mr..
Ghost; come along men, wen get the whole Of
him presently" The light was just sufficient
10 develop the form Of human limb and rigid
muscles. and the effect was appalling upon
the steward that he dropped the lantern. The
prize master dropped the limb and picked up
The lantern, and pushed on. commanding his
men 10 follow; who finding themselves now In
the midst Of danger, began to d--n their eyes,
and pluck up.
The stow.hole being passed through. they
approached what might b called an sfter-hold,
or RIM. slowed with casks. Here the deep
and heavy sigh filed every space, though
somewhat altered in tone, and less human and
less ghosi-like. On carefully surveying the
scene, large cask was discovered with the
bung out; at every roll Of the ship. rush Of
air would pass across ibis bung hsie. and
cause q mos. upesrihly sound. (ADd here