The Creepy Mystery and Horror of Ghost Ships

Are they all real, or are some nothing more than legends?

I have spoken before about how I find the ocean to be an absolutely terrifying place. Even in a beautiful location, when I look out at the ocean, I feel a certain level of dread. Some of it is the knowledge that so much of what lies below remains undiscovered. When you have an imagination as active as mine, it takes courage to step into the water, sure that something is about to pull you under.

Stories told by sailors down through the centuries add to the mystery, with massive sea creatures often blamed for sinkings. Let’s not forget that “Her Be Monsters” was an inscription often found on old maps. Besides the creatures lurking below the depths, there have also been ghost ships adding to the mystery Let’s take a look at some of the more famous vessels, some of which are real and some of which are nothing more than legends.

The Flying Dutchman

The most famous ghost ship is one that very much falls under the urban legend category. Legend tells of a ship captain who defied God and nature while taking a trip around the Cape of Good Hope. The captain was then cursed to sail forever. In olden times, the story was believed to be real, with sailors who saw the Flying Dutchman believing that it was a sign of impending doom.

The Mary Celeste

I clearly remember learning about this ship when I was in school, which was around the same time when my love of ghosts and horror was beginning to grow. I was fascinated by the idea of a ship being found with no one on board, with all sorts of imaginary bad ends swirling through my mind. The Mary Celeste was found in the Atlantic at the tail end of 1872. There were plenty of supplies on board, the cargo was intact, and there were no signs of a struggle or any other reason to leave. One of the lifeboats was missing, so it was assumed the crew bolted from the ship, but the reason for doing so remains a mystery.

Lesser-Known Ghost Ships

In 1921, a 5-masted schooner named the Caroll A. Deering smashed into the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The crew and their belongings were missing, as were the lifeboats and navigation equipment. Piracy was considered a possibility, but it still remains a mystery.

If you have ever read The Terror by Dan Simmons, you might be aware of the story of ships frozen in ice. This is what happened to the SS Baychimo back in 1931. Frozen in place in the Arctic, the crew abandoned ship before it perished. Ever since, there have been reported sightings of the ghost ship.

One of the stranger stories is that of a ship called the Ourang Medan. This was a Dutch vessel from which distress calls were received. Upon discovery, the crew were found dead, each with an expression of terror etched on their dead faces. Legend has it that the ship exploded and sank before a full investigation took place. Historians now debate whether or not this story is real or legend, like the Flying Dutchman.

If you know of any other ghost ship stories, I’d love to hear them, so drop a comment.