September 2009 Archives

Ghosts don't just exist in medieval castles and creaky old pubs. Some of them are a bit more adventurous and choose to sail the seven seas.

For centuries sailors have spoken of mysterious ghost ships that spell doom and disaster for all who see them.

The most famous of these phantom vessels is 'The Flying Dutchman' which suddenly appears out of the mist with its ghostly crew on deck.

This ship was said to be carrying a valuable cargo and its captain was looking forward to making a vast profit on his return to Holland in 1641. Unfortunately his crew was struck down by disease. As if that wasn't bad enough the ship ran into a terrible and deadly storm. As the ship was about to be smashed to pieces, the captain cursed the Devil who he blamed for this disaster. The Devil, rather amused by this, put his own curse on the captain and his ship. 'The Flying Dutchman' would sail the world's oceans, never to see land again, until the end of time.

This strange, spectral vessel has been seen many times since, looming out of the mist, its ragged sails flapping in the wind and its masts creaking. Sailors have always known that if 'The Flying Dutchman' is sighted, something terrible is bound to happen.