The Most Bizarre and Captivating Tales from the World of Sailing

As humans, we are naturally drawn to stories that intrigue, excite, and captivate our imagination. And what better way to have our imaginations set adrift than to delve into the world of sailing, where tales of adventure, bravery, and supernatural encounters intertwine?

In this article, we embark on a thrilling journey through some of the strangest tales from the history of sailing. From ghostly encounters on the open sea to unexplained phenomena witnessed by seasoned sailors, prepare to be amazed by the stories that will make you question the very fabric of reality.

1. The Cursed Ship that Cannot Be Sunk

Our first tale takes us back to the 18th century when the HMS Proteus set sail on a fateful mission. According to legend, the vessel was cursed by a vengeful witch who vowed that it would never sink, no matter the circumstances. As the years went by, the Proteus faced countless battles, storms, and even collisions, yet it always emerged unscathed, leaving sailors perplexed and terrified.

Sailing's Strangest Tales: Extraordinary but true stories from over nine hundred years of sailing

by Yatir Nitzany(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2252 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

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One particularly harrowing account tells of a battle in which the Proteus was bombarded by enemy fire, leaving it seemingly crippled. However, as the enemy ships began to celebrate, the curse struck again. The Proteus mysteriously rose from the depths, engulfing the enemy vessels with a tidal wave before vanishing into the mist.

2. The Haunting of the Flying Dutchman

Perhaps one of the most famous tales in maritime folklore, the legend of the Flying Dutchman has been passed down through generations. The Dutchman was said to be a ghost ship, doomed to sail the oceans for eternity. Numerous sightings of this legendary vessel have been recorded, often as a forewarning of impending doom.

Sailors who claim to have witnessed the ghastly apparition describe a ship drifting through the mist, its crew skeletal and ethereal. It is believed that those who see the Flying Dutchman are doomed to experience misfortune, and many have reported strange occurrences after the sighting, such as unexplained accidents, shipwrecks, and even death.

3. The Mysterious Disappearance of the Mary Celeste

In 1872, the merchant ship Mary Celeste set sail from New York to Genoa with a cargo of denatured alcohol. However, when it was discovered adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, the crew was nowhere to be found. The ship was still intact, with all provisions and personal belongings of the crew untouched.

The baffling disappearance of the Mary Celeste has puzzled historians and maritime enthusiasts for decades. Various theories speculate about mutiny, piracy, and even alien abduction, but none offer a conclusive explanation. To this day, the fate of the crew remains a mystery, leaving sailors and researchers alike with an eerie sense of unease.

4. The Underwater City of Yonaguni

In 1986, off the coast of Yonaguni Island in Japan, a diver stumbled upon what appeared to be a submerged city. The Yonaguni Monument, as it came to be known, raised numerous questions about its origins. Carved stone structures resembling steps, terraces, and pillars left experts and archaeologists puzzled.

Debate surrounded whether these formations were remnants of a lost ancient civilization or natural occurrences. While skeptics argued that the structures were simply the result of erosion, others believed they were a testament to an advanced civilization lost to time.

5. The Unsolved Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle

No article on sailing's strangest tales would be complete without mentioning the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Located between Bermuda, Miami, and Puerto Rico, this area of the Atlantic Ocean has gained notoriety due to the multitude of unexplained disappearances.

Countless ships and aircraft have vanished without a trace within the boundaries of the Bermuda Triangle. Theories range from magnetic anomalies and paranormal activity to extraterrestrial interference. However, no concrete evidence has ever been found to support these claims, leaving this enigma as one of the greatest mysteries of our time.

, the world of sailing is filled with extraordinary tales that push the boundaries of our understanding and captivate our imaginations. These stories remind us of the allure and mystique of the open sea, where anything can happen. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the strangest tales from sailing continue to provoke wonder and curiosity, inspiring generations to explore beyond the horizon.

Sailing's Strangest Tales: Extraordinary but true stories from over nine hundred years of sailing

by Yatir Nitzany(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2252 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

FREE

This fascinating collection of entertaining stories from the seven seas reveals unusual and bizarre sailing trips, vessels and characters, and recounts perilous journeys in freak weather and other legendary tales.

Within these pages you’ll find stories of pirates holding ships to ransom and the gruesome fates of some of the shipmates who dared cross them. The sailors forever lost in the Bermuda triangle, the poor family who were encircled by a school of sharks to the spooky tales of the lighthouse haunted by drunkard lightship keeper John Herman. The tales within these pages are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious and, most importantly, true.

Revised, redesigned and updated for 2016, this book is the perfect gift for both keen sailors to the armchair Captains.

Word count: 45,000