Erie Board of Trade, A Ghost Ship in Saginaw Bay, Michigan

This story takes us back to 1883 when the three masted schooner, the Erie Board of Trade made it's way to Cleveland to pick up a load of coal. It would be it's last voyage, at least of this world anyway.

The schooner Erie Board of Trade went down in Saginaw Bay, Michigan in 1883.  Many believe the ghost ship can be seen in the same area to this day.

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The Palatine Light, Curse of the Princess Augusta - Block Island, Rhode Island

A Dutch sailing ship named the Princess Augusta sometimes referred to as The Palantine, left Holland in 1752 with 150 souls on board, many of them German immigrants heading for the new found territories in America.  Their destination was Philadelphia.  However, a terrible turn of events would prevent most of the passengers from reaching their destination except for the devilish crew.

The Palantine Light off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island is believed to the ghost of a burning ship from the 18th century

After enduring an arduous journey across the Atlantic losing many passengers due to sickness and disease, the ship encountered heavy storms off the coast of New England and took heavy damage, losing many passengers to the rough seas.  The ship anchored just 10 miles off the coast hoping to endure the storm.  For whatever reasons, the crew decided this was not the best course of action and took matters into their own hands. 

The ship hands decided to mutiny and proceeded to kill the captain, and overtake the Princess Augusta, then ran it aground near Sandy Point on the southern tip of Block Island.  Then in an act of piracy, the proceeded to loot the remaining passengers and killing those who resisted.  They then ran the ship aground and set it on fire before abandoning it.  The tide was rising however and washed the flaming ship out to sea, trapping any remaining passengers on board who then perished either by the flames or by the rough seas.

Legend of the Platte River Death Ship - Wyoming, USA

Along the banks of the Platte River in Wyoming, a legend has been passed on since the mid 1800s.  A legend of an spectral nature.  Several witnesses have claimed to see a phantom ship on the Platte River.  They say that an eerie mist will begin to form on the river and slowly the mist will form a bank of fog that only covers a small area.  Out of the fog will then emerge a sailing ship from days gone by, appearing grey and unnatural, manned by phantom sailors.  This vessel has become known as, "The Ship of Death".

A old sailing ship is said to appear out of an eerie fog bringing an omen of death for the lone person that lays eyes on the vessel

The ship got it's ominous name not from the ghosts that man it, but the fact that it brings an omen of death to someone known to the person who witnesses it's appearance.  The first reported sighting in 1862 was by a trapper by the name of Leon Webber who saw the phantom ship. As he got a clear view of the top deck, he saw the body of his fiancé laying on a piling on the deck. That same day, his fiancé passed away. 

Twenty five years after the Webber sighting, a cattleman was working a herd along the Platte River when he saw an unusual fog and a ship crewed by ghosts emerge. The ship seemed to shimmer as it moved through the mist.  On the deck of the ship, what appeared to be the spectral form of his wife was layed out as if sleeping.  That same day his wife died.

The last reported sighting was in 1903.  A man who lived along the Platte River was trimming and removing trees in his yard one Fall day.  He too saw the phantom ship appear in a sudden fog.  Again, it appeared to be manned by a crew of ghosts and laying on the deck of the ship was a good friend of his.  And of course, his friend passed away that day.



If you are ever along the banks of the Platte River in Wyoming and you see a spectral sailing vessel emerging from an eerie fog, avert your eyes lest someone you know be the next claimed by the Ship of Death.