Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-01-25
q FLYING pUTcHMAN" STORY.


8MXD cikas - ~
. Phantom Ship.
One of these accounts was given by the
snptain of a large brig. whose v~eracity
md common sense could not be doubted.
Ibe story was that while becalmed some
niles of the New England coast a deep
asssonant blast, or prolonged groan, sud-
lknly startled the sailors from their
quarters below deck. Those on duty were
% dumfounded by the strange, unearthly
noise that they were rooted to the deck
and unable TO move. In q few moments
svery one was ready for orders. A second
1Folonged groan, that seemed to die away
N the distance, like the whistle of a hur-
xicane, convinced all that the noise did
not proceed from the ship itself. There
vas scacely wind enough to keep the sails
full, although now and then a little puff
would sweep across the ocean and give
nc ship a strong forward impulse, but
not enough TO make any noise among the
Ahrouds. Every few moments the deep
xesonant blast broke upon the ears Of the
astonished sailors, the captain included,
and then died away in q prolonged howl
q whistle.
Things were becoming quite exciting
IN board the vessel, when suddenly q
strange sight doomed up out of the dark
sess. A great dark object was floating
along on the waves, surmounted by o
cloud Of white canvas, that seemed three
times the size Of an ordinary vessels rig.
The whole object was very indistinct, but
che outlines of the sails and hulk were
plain enough to convince any one of the
seahty of the ships presence. The cap
sain hailed the strange apparition, but the
suly answer he received was another I'M
earthly blast. The prov Of the good ship
VA turned towards the white vision; but
Ghe sailors had now become thoroughly
alarmed, and in spite Of the captains
Gders and threats the vessel was headed
directly from the Flying Dutchman, and
not until the startling whistles and blasts
were no longer audible did the sailors
dare to speak in tones above q whisper.
1t is needless to say that the captain
lAlt angry at this result of his venture
With the phantom slip. He was con-
WINGED that, once having lost the oppor-
eunity TO investigate this strange specter,
he would never meet with another
chance. Contrary to his expectations.
however, he was rewarded with another
opportunity. a year later he was sailing
Sver the SAINT course, when the sailors
we're once more startled by the unac-
ocuntable blasts and whistles OF the
phantom slap. A few moments later
The black and white object loor>d up in
the distance again. This time, when the
vessels Prov was turned toward the
Flying Dutchman, no dissenting voice
vas hearl on board. The phantom ship
appeared to be standing still, for they
drew nearer and nearer TO the gigantic
object. The sails, instead of becoming
more distinct as the ship approached the
lides of the Flying Dutchman, appeared
gradually TO resolve themselves into
strange. fantastic forms. They no longer
resembled the canvas Of a sailing craft.
= The black hulk, too, seemed to take on a
some shaped appearance. The resonant
taasts alone seemed the same as before,
snly louder and more distinct.
Gradually the vessel approached the
ade Of the strange object. Every eye
vas strained to catch a good glimpse Of
the white shrouds, and every heart
tembled as the loud death like groans
broke out upon the air. 1t seemed as il
che truth of the matter dawned upon the
minds of all the sailors at once, for uni
versal whisper broke out on the stiffness
Il the night air from the bow 10 the
stern, SITS a fog" 1t was nothing
The dark object was an immense
vhistling buoy, which was anchored
above a reef some distance from the
shore. A light cloud of fog usually hung
ever that part of the sea, and both times
that the captain passed the place it hap.
pened to I've night, and a thick mist was
partly enveloping the automatic buoy.
The captain felt more nettled than sur.
prised, and his second account of meet.
ing with the phantom ship was nevel
given 10 the land authorities by himself
but it did leak out through some of In,
sailors, who thought the joke too good Il
kecp.-New York Evening Post.