Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-14
OCEAN SPECTERS.
Phantom Craft That Are Said to
Haunt the High Seas.

There are numerous legends and sto
ries OF Ghostly vessels that roam the
briny deep, and many hard headed 1
mariners, free from the common su- 4
perstition OF the ordinary sailorman.
stoutly maintain that they have at /
least once in their maritime career en- /
couutered what was undoubtedly a
phantom ship.
Best known OF those mysterious
craft that haunt the high seas is. OF !.
course. the famous Flying putchman.
or phantom ship OF Vanderdecken.
How the story originated is doubtful,
but 1t has been ascertained that there
was a seaman Of repute who many
years ago sailed from Holland 10 the
east via the Cape OF Good Hope. but
was never again heard Of
some authorities say that. meeting
with contrary winds of the cape. ne
swore a terrible oath. in consequence
OF which the divine wrath decreed
that be should he occupied till the
crack Of doom In eudeavorinC to
weather the nead.and Others state
that this punishment was meted out
20 him In retri5ution for terrible
murder he committed before commenc-
ing his fateful voyage.
Whatever the cause Of this ancient
Gentleman's mOnOtOnOus wandering
may he. 10 is probably in connection
with him that the most authentic and
cold hooded record Of any phantom ex-
lists either afloat or ashore. for Il Is
stated that IN the log OF H. NJ s Bac-
cuauta while on q voyage round the
world with the little princes In 1881
there appears on July II the entry,
Flying DutChman crossed our bows"
The log book OF one Of the then largest
Of her majesty's warships is certainly
the very last pIure TO expect 10 find
that which il generally associated with
the hysterical Of either sex.
During January. 1917. n vessel left
New Haven. Conn, or her maiden voy.
age. but was never again heard Of In
the following June just before the
hour OF sunset and after severe
thunderstorm. the missing ship was
seen sailing up the river The inhabit-
ants taking their evening stroll. were
oyerjoyed NJ her return. bur Ae most
was something uucauny about her. es-
porially N that she appeared TO be
sailing up against the wind
Then. TO the CONSERVATION OF all. she
gradually faded away before their eyes
and cutireley disappeared We may be
assured that there were not wanting
those who maintained that the vessel
iu spirit had paid a last visit 10 her
port before resting for good on the
ocean bed
In the "ChroniC.eS Of the 81 LAW.
renee" 10y Le Maine. II is recorded that
on certain day in the yeur n phantom
ship is seen of Cap q 'ESpOir. in GoSpe
bay. Lights are seen aboard her. and
her decks Hre crowded with men BY
tho foot " the bowsrrit man is con
s,fruousy standing and facing toward
The shore with lady clugiug 90 his
arm Gradually the lights 20 ont and
che vesso! sinks II Is said % hc the
ruos, Of the flagship of fleet whirh
was sent ont 20 reduce the French
forts. the vessel being lost with all
hands
To come ~ British waters there are
numerous instances related tu '0oa
history of the visItatiou~ ~ gaoS,,y
vessels the west Of England. rs NIGH
Ir expected. being most prolific IL
fLo-" records. says % writer iu the Lon
don G'rl. Indeed. Cornwall nuu~ts 0
o. goblin ship probably unique th'
world over u.s. she urt only >ni'> th,
water -hut proceeds most uucuucerne,
good distance inland