The

Legend
of
THE
FLYING
DUTCHMAN

By Ginny P7
 SUMMARY

The Flying Dutchman, according to folklore, is a ghost ship that can never

go home, doomed to sail the oceans forever.

 SUMMARY

The Flying Dutchman is usually spotted from far away,

sometimes glowing with ghostly light.

 SUMMARY

It is said that if hailed by another ship, its crew will try to

send messages to land or to people long dead.

 SUMMARY

In ocean lore,
the sight of this phantom ship
is a portent of doom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Dutchman
 Index
• Origins

• 2 Possible
explanations
– 2.1 Mirage
– 2.2 Looming

• 3 Adaptations
– 3.1 Modern
adaptations

• 4 References

• 5 External links
 Origin
• Versions of the story are numerous in nautical folklore and
related to medieval legends such as Captain Falkenburg, who
was cursed to ply the North Sea until Judgment Day, playing
dice with the Devil for his own soul.

• The first reference in print to the ship itself appears in Chapter

VI of George Barrington's Voyage to Botany Bay (1795):

• I had often heard of the superstition of sailors respecting

apparitions, but had never given much credit to the report; it
seems that some years since a Dutch man of war was lost off
the Cape of Good Hope, and every soul on board perished; her
consort weathered the gale, and arrived soon after at the Cape.
Having refitted, and returning to Europe, they were assailed by
a violent tempest nearly in the same latitude. In the night watch
some of the people saw, or imagined they saw, a vessel
standing for them under a press of sail, as though she would
run them down:
 Origin cont/2
one in particular affirmed it was the ship that had foundered in the
former gale, and that it must certainly be her, or the apparition of
her; but on its clearing up, the object, a dark thick cloud,
disappeared. Nothing could do away the idea of this phenomenon
on the minds of the sailors;

and, on their relating the circumstances when they arrived in port,

the story spread like wild-fire, and the supposed phantom was
called the Flying Dutchman.

From the Dutch the English seamen got the infatuation, and there
are very few Indiamen, but what has some one on board, who
pretends to have seen the apparition.[1]

According to some sources[citation needed], the 17th

century Dutch captain Bernard Fokke is the model for the captain
of the ghost ship. Fokke was renowned for the speed of his trips
from Holland to Java and suspected of being in league with the
devil. However, the first version in print, in Blackwood's
Magazine for May 1821, puts the scene as the Cape of Good Hope:
She was an Amsterdam vessel and sailed from port
seventy years ago. Her master’s name was Van der
Decken.
Origin cont/2
He was a staunch seaman, and would have his own
way in spite of the devil.

For all that, never a sailor under him had reason to

complain; though how it is on board with them
nobody knows.

The story is this: that in doubling the Cape they

were a long day trying to weather the Table Bay.
However, the wind headed them, and went against
them more and more, and Van der Decken walked
the deck, swearing at the wind.

Just after sunset a vessel spoke him, asking him if

he did not mean to go into the bay that night.

Van der Decken replied: ‘May I be eternally damned

if I do, though I should beat about here till the day of
judgment.

And to be sure, he never did go into that bay, for it is

believed that he continues to beat about in these
seas still, and will do so long enough.

This vessel is never seen but with foul weather

along with her.[2]
 There have been many reported sightings in
the 19th and 20th centuries. One was by
Origin cont/3 Prince George of Wales (later King George
V of the United Kingdom).

During his late adolescence, in 1880, with

his elder brother Prince Albert Victor of
Wales (sons of the future King Edward VII),
he was on a three-year voyage with their
tutor Dalton aboard the 4,000-tonne corvette
Bacchante. Off Australia,
between Melbourne and Sydney, Dalton
records:

"At 4 a.m. the Flying Dutchman crossed our

bows.
A strange red light as of a phantom ship all
aglow, in the midst of which light the masts,
spars, and sails of a brig 200 yards distant
stood out in strong relief as she came up on
the port bow, where also the officer of the
watch from the bridge clearly saw her, as
did the quarterdeck midshipman, who was
sent forward at once to the forecastle;
but on arriving there was no vestige nor any
sign whatever of any material ship was to
be seen either near or right away to
the horizon, the night being clear and the
sea calm.
Thirteen persons altogether saw her

...At 10.45 a.m. the ordinary seaman who

had this morning reported the Flying
Dutchman fell from the foretopmast
crosstrees on to the topgallant forecastle
and was smashed to atoms."[3]
 2 Possible explanations
Mirage

Probably the most credible explanation might be a superior mirage or Fata

Morgana seen at sea. [4]

The news soon spread through the vessel that a phantom-ship with a ghostly
crew was sailing in the air over a phantom-ocean, and that it was a bad omen,
and meant that not one of them should ever see land again.

The captain was told the wonderful tale, and coming on deck, he explained to
the sailors that this strange appearance was caused by the reflection of some
ship that was sailing on the water below this image, but at such a distance they
could not see it.

There were certain conditions of the atmosphere, he said, when the sun's rays
could form a perfect picture in the air of objects on the earth, like the images
one sees in glass or water, but they were not generally upright, as in the case
of this ship, but reversed—turned bottom upwards.

This appearance in the air is called a mirage. He told a sailor to go up to the

foretop and look beyond the phantom-ship.
 2 Possible explanations
Mirage 2/cont

The man obeyed, and reported that he could see on the water, below the ship in the air,
one precisely like it. Just then another ship was seen in the air, only this one was a
steamship, and was bottom-upwards, as the captain had said these mirages generally
appeared. Soon after, the steamship itself came in sight.

The sailors were now convinced, and never afterwards believed in phantom-ships.

The captain should have used the word refraction and not reflection while explaining the
phenomenon to his crew. Folklore associates the Flying Dutchman with the North Sea.
Its icy water is one of the best places to see a superior mirage.

A superior mirage (Fata Morgana) of a ship might take different faces. Even if a boat
does not seem to fly, it looks ghostly, unusual, deserted and ever changing appearance.
Sometimes Fata Morgana makes a ship float inside waves, other times an inverted ship
sails above its "real" companion. Sometimes it is hard to say what is real and what is
not.

If a real ship is behind the horizon Fata Morgana would bring it up, and then everything
seen by the observer is a mirage. If a real ship is above the horizon, its image will still
be distorted by Fata Morgana.

Scientists have offered a more recent explanation. An effect known as looming occurs
when rays of light are bent across different refractive indices. This could make a ship
just off the horizon appear hoisted in the air.[5]
 Adaptations
This story was adapted in the
English melodrama The Flying
Dutchman (1826) by Edward Fitzball and the
novel The Phantom Ship (1839) by Frederick
Marryat. This in turn was later adapted as Het
Vliegend Schip (The Flying Ship) by the
Dutch clergyman, A.H.C. Römer. In Marryat's
version, Terneuzen, in the Netherlands, is
described as the home of the captain, who is
called Van der Decken (of the decks).

Edgar Allan Poe makes a likely allusion to the

Flying Dutchman in Chapter 10 of his
novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of
Nantucket (1838). Pym and his
fellow Grampus crew members encounter a
Dutch brig in the South Seas. It initially
appears that one of the brig's crew is leaning
over the bow, smiling and nodding toward
the Grampus with great interest. Upon
drawing closer, Pym realizes that the "smiling
man" is in fact a corpse whose back is being
pecked by a seagull. Pym further observes
some twenty-five or thirty corpses scattered
on board.

Italian author Emilio Salgari depicts the Flying

Dutchman in one of the tales of his
compilation Le novelle marinaresche di
Mastro Catrame (1894).[citation needed]
Adaptations
This story was also adapted in the Richard
Wagner's opera, The Flying Dutchman (1843)
is adapted from an episode in Heinrich
Heine's satirical novel The Memoirs of Mister
von Schnabelewopski (Aus den Memoiren
des Herrn von Schnabelewopski) (1833) in
which a character attends a theatrical
performance of The Flying Dutchman.

This imaginary play appears to be a pastiche

by Heine of Fitzball's play, which Heine may
have seen in London. However, unlike
Fitzball's play, which has the Cape of Good
Hope location, in Heine's account the
imaginary play is transferred to the North Sea
off Scotland. Wagner's opera was similarly
planned to take place off the coast of
Scotland, although during the final rehearsals
he transferred the action to another part of the
North Sea, off Norway.

•Another adaptation was The Flying

Dutchman on Tappan Sea by Washington
Irving (1855), in which the captain is
named Ramhout van Dam.
 Other info: Flying Dutchman
• The most famous of the phantom vessels, supposedly seem in stormy weather
off the Cape of Good Hope but now and then reported in other latitudes.

• The term 'Flying Dutchman' actually refers to the captain, not his ship. Legend
has it that this maniacal Dutch sea captain was struggling to round the Cape of
Good Hope in the teeth of a terrible gale that threatened to sink his ship and all
aboard. The sailors warned him to turn around, the passengers pleaded, but
the captain, either mad or drunk, refused to change course. Instead, he pressed
on, singing loud and obscene songs, before going below to his cabin to drink
beer and smoke his pipe. Monstrous waves pummeled the sides of the ship,
howling winds bent the masts and tore at the sails, but still the captain held his
course, challenging the wrath of God Almighty by swearing a blasphemous
oath.

• Finally, there was a mutiny on board; the crew and passengers attempted to
take control of the ship, but the captain, roused from his drunken stupor, killed
the leader of the rebellion and threw him overboard. The moment the body hit
the water, the clouds parted, and a shadowy figure materialized on the
quarterdeck.

• "You're a very stubborn man," the shadow said, and the captain answered him
with an cussword. "I never asked for a peaceful passage," the captain went on.
"I never asked for anything. So clear off before I shoot you, too.“

• But the figure didn't move. Drawing his pistol, the captain tried to fire, but the
gun exploded in his hand. Now the figure spoke again, and told the captain he
was accursed.
 Other info: Flying Dutchman cont/2
• "As a result of your actions you are condemned to sail the oceans for
eternity with a ghostly crew of dead men, bringing death to all who
sight your spectral ship, and to never make port or know a moment's
peace," the shadow said. "Furthermore, gall shall be your drink, and
red hot iron your meat." The captain, reckless to the last, cried, "Amen
to that!"
• And so, for centuries from then on, the Flying Dutchman was seen
piloting his spectral vessel, its canvas spread, its masts creaking in a
fearful wind. Sometimes, it was said, he led other ships astray, onto
rocky shoals and hidden reefs. Also he was said to be responsible for
turning sailors' food supplies sour. His ship, looking innocent enough,
would sometimes draw alongside another vessel and send letters
aboard. But if the letters were opened and read, the ship would
founder. Those who saw the captain himself claimed that he was
bareheaded and repentant, clasping the wheel on the quarterdeck,
pleading the heavens for mercy at last. In the rigging of his ship, some
said, they could see a crew of skeletons, grinning miserably as they
put on ever more sail.
• The tale of the Flying Dutchman has been elaborated by many writers,
but it is more than a piece of fiction. The phantom ship has been seen
many times — and there have been reports even in the 20th century,
including the crew of a German submarine boat during World War II.
 Other info: Flying Dutchman cont/3
• One of the first recorded sightings was by the captain and crew of a
British ship in 1835. They recorded that they saw the phantom ship
approaching in the blanket of a terrible storm. It came so close that
the British crew feared the two ships might run into each other, but
then the ghost ship suddenly vanished.

• On 11 July 1881, the Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Bacchante was

rounding the tip of Africa, when they sighted The Flying Dutchman.
The midshipman, a prince who later became King George V,
recorded that the lookout man and the officer of the watch had seen
the Flying Dutchman:

• "A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of
which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant
stood out in strong relief.“

• It was a misfortune that the lookout saw the Flying Dutchman, for
soon after on the same trip, he accidentally fell from a mast and
died. Fortunately for the English royal family, the young midshipman
survived the curse.
 Other info: Flying Dutchman
cont/4
As recently as March, 1939, the
ghost ship was seen off the coast
of South Africa by dozens of
bathers who supplied detailed
descriptions of the ship, although
most had probably never seen a
17th century merchant vessel. The
British South Africa Annual of 1939
included the story, derived from
newspaper reports:

"With uncanny volition, the ship

sailed steadily on as the Glencairn
beach folk stood about keenly
discussing the whys and
wherefores of the vessel. Just as
the excitement reached its climax,
however, the mystery ship
vanished into thin air as strangely
as it had come.“
Other info: Flying Dutchman
cont/5
The last recorded sighting was in
1942 off the coast of Cape Town.
Four witnesses saw the Dutchman
sail into Table Bay... and vanish.

Many authorities have argued that

the story of the Flying Dutchman
has its origin in a real event, though
there is very little agreement about
what the event was.

Further confusion is brought into

the matter by the fact that are many
versions of the tale — in which the
ship's skipper is variously named
Vanderdecken, Van Demien, Van
Straaten, Van der Decken, or Van
something else.
Other info: Flying Dutchman cont/6
• Another version of the legend that allegedly originated the
whole affair is said to have happened in 1641, when a
Dutch ship sank off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope.
The story goes that, as the ship approached the tip of
Africa, the captain thought that he should make a
proposition to the Dutch East India Company (his
employers) to start a settlement at the Cape on the tip of
Africa, thereby providing a welcome repose to ships at sea.
• He was so deep in thought that he did not notice the dark
clouds looming and only when he heard the lookout
scream out in terror, did he realize that they had sailed
straight into a fierce storm. The captain and his crew
battled for hours to get out of the storm and at one stage it
looked like they would make it. Then they heard a terrible
crunch — the ship had crashed into treacherous rocks and
started to sink. As the ship plunged downwards, Captain
Van der Decken (or whatever) knew that death was
approaching. He was not ready to die and screamed out a
curse: "I WILL round this Cape even if I have to keep
sailing until doomsday!"
Other info: Flying Dutchman cont/6
• And, like in every version of the tale, this one also claims
that even today whenever a storm brews off the Cape of
Good Hope, if you look into the eye of the storm, you will
be able to see the ship and it's captain — The Flying
Dutchman. Don't look too carefully, for the old folk claim
that whoever sights the ship will die a terrible death.
• On yet another version, this one placed in the year 1729
(others say 1680), the captain this time swears at the Devil,
who then condemns him to sail the spectral seas forever.
The Devil left him just one small hope; that only through
the love of a woman could he be released from his curse.
• So the unfortunate Dutch captain returns to land every
seven years in a hopeless search for salvation, because
the Dutchman can only find eternal peace in the arms of a
faithful woman. Wagner's opera, "Der fliegende Hollander,"
is loosely based on this version of the legend.
• Related books:
Ghost Ships, Gales and Forgotten Tales.
Lost at Sea: Ghost Ships and Other Mysteries.
Mysteries of the Deep.
Scary Sea Stories.
• http://www.occultopedia.com/f/flying_dutchman.htm
 Another Flying Dutchman legend
This is the legend of the Flying Dutchman, a ship that was
doomed to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
forever.

• The legend of The Flying Dutchman is said to have started in 1641

when a Dutch ship sank off the coast of the Cape of Good
Hope:Captain van der Decken was pleased. The trip to
the Far East had been highly successful and at last, they were on
their way home to Holland. As the ship approached the tip of Africa,
the captain thought that he should make a suggestion to the
Dutch East India Company (his employers) to start a settlement at
the Cape on the tip of Africa, thereby providing a welcome respite to
ships at sea.He was so deep in thought that he failed to notice the
dark clouds looming and only when he heard the lookout scream out
in terror, did he realise that they had sailed straight into a fierce
storm. The captain and his crew battled for hours to get out of the
storm and at one stage it looked like they would make it. Then they
heard a sickening crunch - the ship had hit treacherous rocks and
began to sink. As the ship plunged downwards, Captain
VandeDecken knew that death was approaching. He was not ready
to die and screamed out a curse: "I WILL round this Cape even if I
have to keep sailing until doomsday!“
 Another Flying Dutchman legend
• So, even today whenever a storm brews off the Cape of Good
Hope, if you look into the eye of the storm, you will be able to see
the ship and its captain - The Flying Dutchman. Don't look too
carefully, for the old folk claim that whoever sights the ship will
die a terrible death.Many people have claimed to have seen The
Flying Dutchman, including the crew of a German submarine
boat during World War II and holidaymakers.On 11 July 1881,
the Royal Navy ship, the Bacchante was rounding the tip of
Africa, when they were confronted with the sight of The Flying
Dutchman. The midshipman, a prince who later became King
George V, recorded that the lookout man and the officer of the
watch had seen the Flying Dutchman and he used these words
to describe the ship:"A strange red light as of a phantom ship all
aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a
brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief."It's pity that the
lookout saw the Flying Dutchman, for soon after on the
same trip, he accidentally fell from a mast and died. Fortunately
for the English royal family, the young midshipman survived the
curse.

• http://www.essortment.com/all/dutchmanflying_rrqy.htm
 Ghost Ship

• The legend of The Flying Dutchman is said to have started in 1641 when a Dutch ship sank off the
coast of the Cape of Good Hope:
• In the year 1729, a Dutch ship called the Flying Dutchman 1, captained by the infamous Vanderdecken, set
sail towards the Cape of Good Hope, Africa’s southernmost tip which has long been associated with difficult
sailing conditions and shipwrecks. Vanderdecken was a violent and disturbed captain who feared nothing and
refused to back away from any situation. As the ship approached the Cape a violent storm broke out. The
fierce winds, gigantic waves and terrible lightening threatened to sink the Flying Dutchman, but the twisted
and fearless captain had a threat of his own. There and then, Vanderdecken swore an oath to the Devil that
he would round the Cape even if it took him until Doomsday (the day that the world will come to an end). This
foolish act brought a terrible curse down upon the captain, his crew and his ship. From that moment forth they
were forced to roam the mighty seas for all eternity as a ghost ship.
 Ghost Ship
Omen of Disaster
From that fateful day to the
present, many sailors claim to
have seen the Flying
Dutchman haunting the seas. It
is believed that anyone who
sees the ship will have
misfortune fall upon them. So
powerful is this belief that King
George V of England himself,
as a young prince during his
naval days, purported to have
encountered it, although a
prince is not someone who
immediately springs to mind
when considering unfortunate
people. www.bbc.co.uk
One method used by mariners
to ward off the curse of the
Flying Dutchman was to nail
horseshoes to the masts of
their ships, as this was
supposed to bring good luck.
 Ghost Ship
The Flying Dutchman – an Explanation

Many people would be sceptical of the existence of a ‘ghost ship’ and quite
rightly so. No conclusive evidence for any type of ghost has ever been
gathered and most scientists refuse to believe that they exist at all. To this
end they have come up with an explanation for the supposed sightings and
even those people who do believe in ghosts would have to admit that it is
quite a good one.

The theory goes that the ghost ship is nothing more than an optical illusion.
Apparently modern day mariners are used to the sight of hazy-looking ships
appearing over the horizon; they are simply mirages caused by the
refraction of light rays. Although the existence of the Flying Dutchman and
Captain Vanderdecken is known, it is likely that the stories of a phantom
ship were started by superstitious sailors who saw exactly this kind of
mirage.

Nevertheless, no definitive proof exists either way so it would be advisable

for anyone going on a cruise to steer clear of glowing ships with billowing
sails, hovering several feet above the water.

Provided by: www.bbc.co.uk

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/ghost-ship-flying-dutchman?621
 References
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pg