Ghost ships and sea legends: Myths from the high seas

The arrival of Halloween brings with it tales of ghosts, ghouls, and legends and, for many, few are as haunting as those that come from the sea. For centuries, sailors have shared chilling stories of ghost ships drifting through the fog, monstrous creatures lurking in the deep, and gods capable of calming and destroying with a single wave. The ocean has always been a source of both wonder and fear. From the cursed voyage of the Flying Dutchman to the eerie discovery of the Mary Celeste, maritime history is rich with tales that blur the line between myth and reality. Across cultures and generations, seafarers have turned to superstition, ritual, and the gods of the sea for protection against the dangers that lurk beyond the horizon. In the spirit of Halloween, when the veil between myth and mystery feels at its thinnest, we reveal some of the most fascinating ghostly legends, mythical sea creatures, and ancient beliefs that have haunted sailors for centuries. 

The chilling tale of the Flying Dutchman dates back to the 1700s. According to legend, the ship’s defiant captain insisted on sailing into a deadly storm despite the warnings of his crew. His arrogance led to a terrible curse, condemning him and his entire crew to roam the oceans for eternity, never able to reach land. The earliest written record of this legend appeared in the late 1700s, and by the 19th century, the story had spread widely, becoming one of the most enduring maritime myths. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, sailors continued to report sightings of the ghostly silhouette of the Flying Dutchman glowing on the horizon. The legend has since become deeply rooted in popular culture, even inspiring the name of the ghost ship featured in Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Widely regarded as one of the most famous ghost ships in history, the Mary Celeste was discovered adrift and abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. The ship had departed New York in November, bound for Italy, but never reached its destination. On board were Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife, their young daughter, and a crew of seven. When the vessel was found, it was in remarkably good condition. The ship was still under sail, with ample food, water and supplies on board. The crew’s personal belongings remained untouched, yet there was no trace of anyone on board. A small amount of flooding was found in the ship’s hull, and the lifeboat was missing, leading some to believe the captain and crew may have abandoned ship, fearing it was sinking. The true fate of those on the Mary Celeste has never been uncovered. Over the years, theories have ranged from mutiny and piracy to insurance fraud. However, the idea of a pirate attack has largely been dismissed, as nothing of value – not even the ship’s cargo of alcohol – was taken. To this day, Mary Celeste remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in maritime history. 

Built in Sweden in 1914, the SS Baychimo was a cargo steamer primarily used to trade provisions and fur pelts with communities across the Canadian Arctic and Alaska. In October 1931, the ship became trapped in pack ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, forcing the crew to abandon it. To survive, they built a temporary camp on the ice and waited for the thaw, hoping to recover the vessel once the ice broke apart. A few days later, an air rescue evacuated most of the crew to safety. The captain and a small group of men stayed behind to monitor the ship, but after a violent storm, the SS Baychimo broke free and drifted away, never to be reclaimed. Over the following decades, the ghostly vessel was sighted numerous times, drifting through the Arctic – sometimes astonishingly intact, other times shattered and scarred by the ice. Many have wondered how it managed to endure for so long in such harsh conditions after being abandoned. The SS Baychimo was last reported off the Alaskan coast in 1969, her ultimate fate still a mystery.  

The Octavius was a British merchant ship that set sail from London in 1761, bound for China, carrying 28 people, including the captain, his wife, and their young son. After successfully reaching China, the captain decided to attempt the perilous return voyage through the Northwest Passage—a route that was uncharted and treacherous at the time. In 1775, the whaling ship Herald reportedly discovered the Octavius trapped in Arctic ice. According to the tale, the ship was eerily preserved, its crew frozen in place. The captain was found seated at his desk with his logbook open, while his wife and son were huddled together in the captain’s quarters. The rest of the crew remained below deck, all frozen where they had last stood. It was believed that the Octavius had been adrift for 13 years before its discovery, having vanished after leaving China in 1762. Though its existence has never been proven, the story of Octavius remains one of the most haunting maritime legends ever told. 

In December 1920, Carroll A. Deering departed Barbados with a crew of twelve, heading for Virginia. The ship was sighted off the coast in January 1921, but just days later, it was found wrecked on the Diamond Shoals, a notorious stretch of water off the coast of North Carolina. When rescue crews boarded, they discovered the vessel completely deserted. The sails were still set, food remained on the stove, and the crew’s personal belongings were untouched – yet there was no trace of the men or the ship’s logbook. The fate of the crew has never been determined, though reports suggest that before the voyage, the captain had voiced concerns about a rebellious crew. The mystery of the Carroll A. Deering remains one of the most enduring unsolved maritime enigmas in American history. 

Among the most famous mythical sea creatures, mermaids are often portrayed in legend and folklore as enchanting beings that are half-human and half-fish. Many myths portray them as beautiful, mysterious creatures with magical powers and captivating singing voices, said to lure sailors to their untimely deaths. They have long been linked to shipwrecks, fierce storms, and misfortune at sea. Yet, in other tales, mermaids are seen as kind and benevolent beings. In more modern stories, such as Disney’s The Little Mermaid, they are depicted as gentle and curious, even forming friendships and romances with humans. Mermaids have appeared in European, Irish, Slavic and East Asian mythology. Although the tales vary from region to region, a common theme is that these creatures were believed to possess great power. Over the centuries, interpretations of mermaids have varied considerably. Some view them as symbols of the ocean itself, embodying its beauty, mystery and danger. At the same time, others saw mermaids as expressions of sailors’ loneliness and longing for companionship on the open sea. Studies suggest that the tales of the Sirens in Greek mythology may have influenced the idea of mermaids as beautiful, mysterious and seductive creatures who were a threat to the lives of sailors. 

In Greek mythology, the Sirens were believed to be hybrid creatures with the face and upper body of a woman and the wings and lower body of a bird. Much like mermaids, they were known for luring sailors to their deaths with their enchanting songs and melodic voices. Described as irresistibly beautiful, the Sirens embodied both allure and danger. The most famous story featuring the Sirens appears in Homer’s Odyssey. In this tale, the sorceress Circe warns the hero Odysseus to protect his crew by sealing their ears with beeswax so they cannot hear the Sirens’ song. Odysseus himself, curious to listen to their voices, orders his men to tie him to the mast of the ship and not release him, no matter how much he begs. He becomes the only sailor to hear their song, a sound which he described as captivating yet terrifying. Some myths claim that the Sirens perished after this encounter, as fate had decreed they would die if any ship passed them unharmed. Others suggest that they later lost a singing contest and, overcome with despair, threw themselves into the sea. 

In Ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon is the powerful god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. He was depicted as a fierce ruler with an iconic trident, ruling over all waters and striking fear and reverence in the hearts of those who sailed them. To ancient mariners, Poseidon was far more than a distant deity; he was the ultimate force of nature, capable of granting calm seas or unleashing devastating tempests. Sailors often offered prayers, sacrifices, or small tokens before setting sail, hoping to earn his favour and ensure safe passage. They believed that Poseidon’s mood could shape the fate of their journeys, influencing trade, exploration, and survival at sea. His legend became deeply woven into maritime life, symbolising the ocean’s magnificence, power, and unpredictability. 

The legend of the Kraken originates from Scandinavian mythology. Descriptions of the sea-monster vary, but it is most often portrayed as a colossal creature resembling a giant octopus or squid with countless tentacles. The Kraken was said to attack ships by wrapping its arms around entire vessels and dragging them beneath the waves. In some accounts, it could create massive whirlpools capable of swallowing ships and their crews whole. Sailors passed down chilling tales of the Kraken devouring entire crews and destroying ships that ventured too close. Many believe that the myth may have been inspired by real sightings of giant squids, which inhabit North America and can grow to remarkable sizes. In fact, there has been a recorded case of one reaching more than ten metres. A similar creature appears in The Odyssey, where the hero encounters Scylla, a monstrous being with six heads rather than many arms.  

Leviathan is a fearsome sea serpent found in both theology and mythology. In the Bible, it is described as a fire-breathing creature covered in impenetrable scales, while other interpretations depict it with multiple heads. Some accounts describe it as whale-like, and others portray it as a fusion of different sea creatures. In most stories, the Leviathan is an untameable beast, often seen as a symbol of chaos and a powerful reminder of the sea’s danger and unpredictability. Some theological interpretations suggest that its mention in the Bible serves as a reminder to humanity of its limitations and the fact that not everything is within human control. 

Originating in Norse mythology, Jörmungandr is an enormous sea serpent known as one of the most terrifying creatures of ancient myths. It is said to encircle the entire world, lying deep within the ocean, its massive body forming a ring around the Earth. Closely linked with the god Thor, Jörmungandr serves as his greatest enemy. Their rivalry culminates during Ragnarök, when Thor slays the serpent but succumbs to its venom shortly after. The serpent’s movements are believed to cause great natural disasters such as earthquakes and violent storms. Symbolically, Jörmungandr represents the endless cycles of life, death, and rebirth. It’s believed to be a force of both renewal and destruction that challenges the balance of the world and the old order. 

At one point in time, sailors considered bananas to be bad luck at sea. Some believe this superstition began because bananas could attract poisonous spiders and snakes onto ships. Others suggest it could have been because they posed a slipping hazard, potentially leading to injuries or even falling overboard. 

It was once thought to be unlucky to rename a ship, as doing so was believed to anger the sea gods and bring misfortune to future voyages. 

Tradition taught sailors to step onto a ship with their right foot first to ensure good luck and a safe journey.

Long, emotional goodbyes were considered unlucky. Once a sailor left home, their loved ones were not to call out or wave goodbye, as doing so was believed to bring bad luck or delay their return. 

Contrary to common modern superstition, sailors believed black cats brought good fortune. They were thought to possess protective powers, keeping ships safe and ensuring their return home.

Tattoos were seen as powerful talismans at sea. Nautical stars, pigs, and roosters were especially popular, symbolising protection from drowning and the ability to find one’s way safely back to shore.

Gold earrings were believed to prevent drowning, protect against seasickness, and even improve eyesight. For many sailors, they also served as marks of honour for surviving dangerous voyages or crossing major maritime milestones. 

Before embarking on long journeys, sailors would pour wine onto the deck as an offering to the sea, hoping to secure good luck and calm waters. 

Tossing coins into the sea was believed to be a symbolic toll paid to Neptune, the god of the sea, in exchange for safe passage and fair weather.