It is said that the sea holds secrets darker than the deepest abyss. Humans have explored only 5% of the whole sea. The rest remains a mystery yet to be unveiled. The sea was the primary means of trade and transportation from the very beginning of human history. People used to set sail across the sea to explore the unknown, to discover new lands or to travel. And through this journey, many people have witnessed some things that they could not put out with logic. People are stuck between reality and imagination.
Centuries after centuries, people witnessed empty ships floating around the sea. Some said those appeared and disappeared with a blink of their eyes. Here are 5 infamous mysterious ships that people have witnessed and created myths about.
- The Flying Dutchman: Whenever there is a discussion about ghost ships, the flying dutchman comes first. It takes us back to the 1700s. When the captain of the ship swore that he would sail the ship till he could round the cape of good hope in South Africa, even it takes him to the judgement day. It is rumored that the captain made a deal with the devil. So when the disastrous storm hit the ship and the crew members wanted to leave the ship, it is said that the captain even murdered some of them. This ship disappeared with its crew members and remained as a symbol of eternal punishment of God. Many people have witnessed this ship floating around the sea at night. It is rumored that this ship brings misfortune and death to whoever witnesses it.
- The Mary Celeste: The mystery of the Mary Celeste still haunts people. It sailed on November 7, 1872 with the captain Benjamin Briggs, his family and 7 crew members. It was an American ship. It never arrived at its destination. On December 5, David Morehouse discovered Mary Celeste floating in the middle of the sea. When he got into the ship, the entire crew was missing along with a lifeboat. The empty vessel got a six month supply of food and water and all the clothings was packed. The ship did not have any serious damage. He even got the ship back to its port. What happened on that ship and what forced the entire crew to leave the ship is yet known. The crew members along with the captain had not ever been found.
- The Cursed Squando: This ship takes us back to that time when the primary means of trade and transportation was ships. It is said that the ship was of great wealth and power. It disappeared during a violent storm. But people have seen this ship in the darkest of nights. When there is no moon in the night sky, a sudden cold starts to feel with silent stillness. From the dense fog, the luminous ship caught the eyes of many ships and its passengers. The description of those who have witnessed the Cursed Squando still gives us goosebumps just by thinking about it.
- The MV Joita: In spanish, it means the little jewel. It set sail in October, 1955 from Samoa to the Hookala Islands with 16 crew members and 9 passengers. It was supposed to reach its destination within 48 hours but it never arrived even after weeks. When the search started, they found the ships with no lifeboats. In the ship, the blood stained bandages were found. There was no reason to abandon the ship. The mystery stays with questions. Nobody knows what happened there and what caused the entire crew to abandon the ship with lifeboats.
- The Caleuche: From Chilean mythology, it is the legendary ghost ship. According to the mythology, this ship carries the souls of those who have drowned in the sea. It is said that the ship has its own magical powers to appear and disappear at its will. It appears with a glow, beautiful lights and sounds. It appears and disappears coated around in mist. The legend says that the departed souls are in the ship with happiness, singing and dancing. Many believe that the ship symbolizes prosperity.
The histories and mysteries of these ships somehow take us in the dark seas where we can witness the rare vision of these ghost ships. It is not the ghost ships that haunt us but the unanswered questions that come with it. So from now on, whenever you’re sailing across the sea, keep your eyes on the horizon. You never know when you might witness the dense fog, luminous glow and empty vessels of centuries ago.
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Writer
Ummay Tasnim Sifat
Intern, Content writing department
YSSE