Post by waterspirit on Nov 26, 2003 22:38:53 GMT -5
The 'FLYING DUTCHMAN' was a sailing ship feared by sailors as an omen of disaster. The craft supposedly appears during stormy weather off the Cape of Good Hope, at Africa's southern tip.
According to one version of the legend ... Hendrick Vanderdecken set sail in 1680 from Amsterdam headed for the Dutch East Indies in the 'Flying Dutchman'. While rounding the Cape he encountered a severe storm. He swore (against the wishes of his crew) that he would round the Cape even if he had to sail straight into the wind. Because of his oath, Vanderdecken was condemned to sail forever against just such an adverse wind.
What has perpetuated this legend is the fact that several people have claimed to have actually seen the ship over the course of the past 300 years, even into the 20th century
As recently as March, 1939 the 'flying ship' was seen off the coast of S.Africa by dozens of bathers who provided detailed descriptions of the ship to news media.
The last recorded sighting was in 1942 off the coast of Cape Town.
Mariners today are familiar with the sight of ships sailing through the air above the horizon - a simple mirage caused by the refraction of light rays.
According to one version of the legend ... Hendrick Vanderdecken set sail in 1680 from Amsterdam headed for the Dutch East Indies in the 'Flying Dutchman'. While rounding the Cape he encountered a severe storm. He swore (against the wishes of his crew) that he would round the Cape even if he had to sail straight into the wind. Because of his oath, Vanderdecken was condemned to sail forever against just such an adverse wind.
What has perpetuated this legend is the fact that several people have claimed to have actually seen the ship over the course of the past 300 years, even into the 20th century
As recently as March, 1939 the 'flying ship' was seen off the coast of S.Africa by dozens of bathers who provided detailed descriptions of the ship to news media.
The last recorded sighting was in 1942 off the coast of Cape Town.
Mariners today are familiar with the sight of ships sailing through the air above the horizon - a simple mirage caused by the refraction of light rays.
