The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-05
OCEAN sPEcTERs.
Phantom Craft That Are Said to
Haunt the High Seas.
A CURIOUS ENGLISH RECORD.
The Log of the Warship Baeehante
Under Date of July II, 1881, Bears
the Entry, "Flyins Dutchman Cross
cd Our Bows"-The Goblin Ship.

euo EHh'Jg fVi'S 6hNSifhe' O'Seo-
cd Our Bows"-The Goblin Ship.
There are numerous legends and sto-
ries of gbostly vessels that roam the
briny deep, and many hard headed
mariners, free from the common su
perstition of the ordinary sailorman,
stoutly maintain that they have at
least once in their maritime career en-
countered what was undoubtedly a
phantom ship.
Best known of those mysterious
craft that haunt the high seas Is, of
course, the famous Flying Dutchman,
or phantom ship of Vanderdecken.
How the story originated is doubtful,
but it has been ascertained that there
was seaman of repute who many
years ago sailed from Holland to the
east via the Cape of Good Hope, but
was never again heard Of.
Some authorities say that, meeting
with contrary winds off the cape. he
swore a terrible oath, IN consequence
of which the divine wrath decreed
that he should be occupied till the
crack of doom In endeavoring TO
weather the headIand. Others state
that this punishment was melted out
to him in retribution for terrible
murder he committed before commenc-
Ing his fateful voyage.
Whatever the cause of this ancient
genteman's monotonous wandering
may be, II is probably in connection
with him that the most authentic and
cold blooded record Of any phantom ex-
lists either atioat or ashore, for 1t is
stated that in the log Of II. NJ. s. Bac-
chante while ON voyage round the
world with the little princes In 1881
there appears on July IL 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 place to expect to find
that which is generally associated with
the hysterical of either sex.
During January. 1647. vessel left
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
overjoyed at her return. but the most
observant OF them noticed that there
was something uncanny about her, es-
pecially in that she appeared 10 he
sailing up against the wind
Then, to the CONSERVATION Of all, she
gradually faded away before their eyes
and entireley disappeared. We may be
| assured that there were not wanting
those who maintained that the vessel
in spirit had paid last visit TO her
port before resting for good on the
ocean bed.
In the CHRONICLES of the ST. Law.
renee" by lie Maine, 1t is recorded that
on a certain day in the year phantom
ship is seen off Cap d'Espoir, in Gospe
bay. Lights are seen aboard her, and
her decks are crowded with men. By
the foot of the bowsprit a man is con-
spicuously standing and facing toward
the shore, with n lady clinging to his
arm. Gradually the lights go out and
the vessel sinks. 1t is said to be the
ghost of the flagship of feet which
was sent out to reduce the French
forts, the vessel being lost with all
hands.
To come TO British waters. there are
numerous instances related in local
history Of the visitations OF ghostly
vessels, the west OF England. as might
be expected, being most prolific In
these records, says a writer In the Lon
don Globe Indeed. Cornwall boasts Of
goblin ship probably unique the
world over, as she not only sails the