The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-06-01
From Seribnsr's Monthly.
THE HAUNTED SHIP.

From Seribnsr's Monthly.
THE HAUNTED SHIP.
In the year 1853 I was first mate of
the III" a three decked ship of about
fiften hundred tons burden, lying in
Mobile Bay, waiting for a cargo Of cot
ton. Our sailors, twenty four in fiuni-
ber, were all colored men, pretty fair
seamen generally but, with three or
four exceptions, woefulIy ignorant, and
correspondingly supenticions. We had
been in the bay between three and four
months, so the spars and rigging had
been thoroughly overhauled aud put to
rights. was sitting in the cabin one
evening plan ming out work for the en-
suing day, when my second mate, a
rough old seaman of the packet school,
requested an audience.
Mr.. K, what is the matter
now?"
"rhe matter is, sir, that those dark
eys forward there are getting 30 scared
that unless we do something to or for
them they won't be worth shucks; some
of them amt good for much now, and
there's no use in having the rest of them
spoiled"
"But what are they frightened at? I
have never heard any thing Of it before
now"
mo! they were afraid to say any
thing to you about it; but for the last
month they have yarn about a head
lees ghost going around the decks at
night, groaning at an awful rate. Some
of em say it's darkey without head,
and others say its white cap with a
black face; but whatever it is, there
they are, afraid to come on deck after
dark or stand anchor watch alone"
'This is strange piece Of business
is ghost aboard should think
it would first pay its respects to the
quarter deck. Do you think any of the
rascals are playing tricks ?"
mo, sir. The knowingcst ones is
the most scared. There's Bob and Jack
son ought to know better, but they both
swear they saw it in the middle watch
last night; just told the third mate
so."
"Well! SUI pose We 60 and inquire in~
to it,"
We went forward together, and came
down SO suddenly upon the sailors that
they evidently thought two ghosts had
arrived instead of one. After their
alarm and confusion had subsided, l
told them what had already heard,
and asked for further information,
which was readily furnish by dozen
eager volunteers, who now that their
tongues were loosened by authority,
anxious to outrival each ether
n their tale of horrors. 1t is needless
% repeat their stories; but about half of
hem had repeatedly heard the groans.
Bob and Jackson, my two best men,
who were acting as boatswains positive
y declared that they had seen it in the
orecastle on the previous night, stand
ng up against the bitt where I wac
hen leaning. This bitt, timber about
\ foot square, coming down through
rom the upper to the main deck, near
he middle of the forecastle, was painted
black up to within foot of the deck,
nd the remainder lead color. On either
ide of it in the spar deck, was a bulls
ye to admit light, and there were sever.
rails OH which hung various articles of
lothing.
"You saw the ghost standing right
lere did your"
ayes, sir! right where you. are now,
ir!"
WAS the moon shining last night.
"Yes, sir! quite bright in the middle
watch -
Ibid you speak to or try to catch the
,host?"
mo, sir! wouldn't do such a thing
or the world"
"If you had, you would have found
ut that the ghost was nothing more or
ess than this bitt, with the moon shin.
ng through the bulls eye on it and on
he clothing you see hanging there now.
never knew Of q ghost that didn't
lwindle into q moonbeam or piece of
innen."
There was general look of incredu-
lity upon the faces of the crew, and
ne of them mustered up courage and
sked:
"But how about the groans and noise,
ir?"
20, some Of you snore loud aud all
he rest is imagination"
Finging that the argument or persua-
ions were Of no use in altering the
pinions of my crew, left them after
iving the following admonition:-
"Now, men in the first place, there
re no such things as ghosts; and Sec
ndly wish you to understand that
here is no ghosts aboard of this ship;
nd If you can't be made understand it
n any other way, I'll give you the fun
( hunting all night for it. You know
What mean. Good night"
Having given the second mate his or
ers for tho following day, sat down
o think the matter over, and TASK my.
elf few questions, as the sailors say.
)ne thing that had puzzled me was now
for. Several of the men had
ONE to me for permission to be- trans
erred to other ships that were ready for
ca, but this I had attributed to the
restlessness of the class
Nv ship was considered good one for