Open Ocean Wiki

A legendary ghost ship doomed to sail the oceans forever, never able to make port. Sightings were considered omens of doom. BLACKTHORN AND STONE

A euphemism for the bottom of the sea, where drowned sailors' souls were said to reside. The origins of the name are unclear, with theories ranging from an actual pirate named David Jones to it being another name for Satan.

Sailors often reported seeing mermaids, especially during the 19th century. These sightings were sometimes attributed to manatees or dugongs, but the tales added a mystical allure to sea voyages. MIMI MATTHEWS

Killing an albatross was believed to bring bad luck, as these birds were thought to carry the souls of dead sailors. This belief was immortalized in Coleridge's “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” DT MAGAZINE

Whistling was discouraged on ships, as it was believed to summon strong winds or storms. The saying went, “Whistling up a storm.” HUBPAGES

Bringing bananas on a ship was considered bad luck. One theory suggests that bananas carried aboard slave ships fermented and produced deadly gases in the hold, leading to this superstition. SPIRITS PODCAST

The saying “Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in the morning, sailor's warning” was used to predict weather, with a red sunset indicating good weather and a red sunrise suggesting storms. CHIEFTAIN TRAINING

Cats were welcomed aboard ships to control vermin and were considered good luck. A cat's behavior was sometimes used to predict weather; a sneezing cat could mean rain was coming. HUBPAGES

Changing a ship's name was thought to bring bad luck unless a de-naming ceremony was performed to appease the sea gods. CHIEFTAIN TRAINING

Ships often had carved figureheads of women with bare breasts on their bows. It was believed that a woman's bare chest would calm angry seas, and the figurehead's eyes would guide the ship to safety. REDDIT

These tales and superstitions highlight the rich and imaginative folklore that has accompanied sailors on their voyages for centuries.