As I count down to the release of my upcoming novel The Ghosts of Aquinnah in December I am going to share stories of haunted places, ghosts, and unexplained phenomena that catch my interest.
If you followed my blog during the 2012 A-Z Challenge you may remember I shared some stories of haunts here in my hometown of Cincinnati. I have always loved these kinds of stories and thought it would be fun to share more in preparation for the release of my own ghost story. :)
Up first is a mysterious ship that was found at the setting of my novel, the cliffs of Aquinnah on the island of Martha's Vineyard.
In December, 1804, Ebenezer Skiff, the keeper of the Gay Head lighthouse (which sits atop the cliffs), discovered an abandoned ship near the shore shown in the above picture. The ship had no captain and no crew, and not a soul aboard, but it did have a hold full of cargo. There were no signs of life and no bodies were recovered.
I love stories like this because it's fascinating to me to imagine what could have happened to the crew and anyone else who may have been on board the ship. In fact, it feels like it could be a great starting point for a novel. ;)
The lighthouse keeper Mr. Skiff posted a notice about the ship in the New York Gazette in January, 1805. This notice is now posted on the Save the Gay Head Lighthouse site, which is where I learned about the ghost ship. I admit I can't really make heads or tails of what Mr. Skiff is writing about, but it's interesting to read this bit of Aquinnah history.
The Ghost Ship of Gay Head
I am also posting on the Untethered Realms blog today and sharing a story of my own experience with possible ghosts and things I can't quite explain. Visit our UR site here for my post.
And if you haven't entered my September giveaway yet and would like to, check out the rafflecopter entry form below.
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It would make for a great book, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteGhost stories are such fun.
ReplyDeleteHow intriguing a fully loaded ship and no one aboard!
Ooh, eerie! I love stories like this, too. Not knowing what happened always seems to make things creepier...
ReplyDeleteOoo, creepy stuff! I love a good ghost story. I look forward to more of these posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI love ghost stories like this, it really makes me wonder what could have happened to all of the crew.
ReplyDeleteWell there you have it, the seed of a new book has embedded itself in your mind.
ReplyDeleteI love these strange but true stories...
Writer In Transit
Julie, like you I am just fascinated by these little bits of history, especially the ones with so many unknown factors. They just ignite the imagination!
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a great starting point for a novel, ooooooh do it! :D
ReplyDeleteI seriously loved ghost stories when I was 11 and 12, and went out of my way to find the best. Too bad the internet wasn't a commodity at the time, eh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that was very interesting. I wonder what happened to the crew? Human Traffickers who only wanted 'live cargo'? Ghosts? Very clean vampires? Mermaids! *Sigh* Guess we'll never know. Cool post Julie.
ReplyDelete@Alex, I think so.
ReplyDelete@Yolanda, isn't it weird? I can imagine how creepy it must have been to find it.
@Heather, agreed!
@Madeline, me too.
@Laura, I know, it's so bizarre.
@Michelle, I hope so. :D
@Julie, I think so too, it's so fun to imagine the possibilities.
@SK, I hope to try! :D
@Crystal, I know, it's hard to imagine now how we ever managed without the net LOL.
@Sheena-kay, LOL, I love the clean vampires idea. :D
hope I can win
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating, Julie. I'm not much for ghost stories, movies and such, but yeah, I'd so want to know what had become of the people on board that ship.
ReplyDeleteLove ghost stories! And what a cool one about the ghost ship!
ReplyDeleteI loved your 2012 A to Z posts about Ohio and the ghostly places there in particular! So proud of you, Julie, for all you've accomplished!
ReplyDelete@jasmin, good luck!
ReplyDelete@Joy, I know, I'd love to find out.
@Cherie, isn't it? I just love it.
@Susan, aww, thanks so much!
These historical mysteries are awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat would make for a great story! I love mysteries like that.
ReplyDelete@Cathrina, aren't they?
ReplyDelete@Christine, me too!
Oooo... I love haunting stuff too!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd lovely blog, Julie--I'm so very glad to be connected here! :)
I love that story; it's super creepy! (I have to admit the names are so odd I had a bit of an un-pc giggle!) I'm really looking forward to more ghost stories. I adore them - thanks for sharing! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like quite the jumping off point for a novel. If I didn't already have an idea in mind for this NaNo I might steal that...
ReplyDeleteLove ghost stories! This kinda sounds like the reverse of the Bermuda Triangle, but with a ghost-like tease because the ship's there. Oh, if only the rocks could talk. And, yes, I remember your A-Z Cincinnati stories with great fondness. You made me want to go there and browse around.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to all your ghost stories. That is odd about the ship without a crew. I could have fun coming up with a story for that. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for all your concern for my family during the flood. Really appreciate it. :))
@Morgan, thanks! I'm so glad too.
ReplyDelete@Lexa, LOL, they are funny, aren't they? :D
@Beverly, oh, you're doing NaNo? Good luck with that! I'm thinking about doing it again. :)
@Kittie, thanks! And wouldn't it be nice if those cliffs could tell us all they have seen? If only.
@LG, oh, you're so welcome. I still can't believe what has happened out there. :(
That ghost ship is so intriguing. i read about it, many years ago, in some book published by the reader's digest.
ReplyDeleteI love stories like that . . . I'd recommend Batavia's Graveyard, too. Not a ghost ship, but a shipwreck that goes really, really badly--and it's a true story!
ReplyDelete~MPL
PepperWords
So, when are ya starting a book based on THIS mystery? Sounds intriguing enough to make for a great tale, and you have all kinds of latitude to come up with your own explanation of the missing people. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy ghosts stories, too, although I don't wish to encounter one! Great idea to build up interest now for your new book!
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
creeptastic! i wonder what might've happened to its crew? Were they sucked into a different dimension, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
@Damyanti, oh I will have to look that up, I'd love to read more about it.
ReplyDelete@M, that's another one for my list - thanks!
@Susan, LOL, I'd love to start one, we'll see. :)
@Mary, I don't want to encounter one either LOL. Just fun to read about them. :D
@Nutschell, doesn't it seem like it could be an episode of the X Files or something like that? So creepy!
Ghost stories have always given me the heebie jeebies, but I love them!
ReplyDeleteSign me up for your launch...if you're taking names.
@Elizabeth, thank you, I appreciate it! I will be taking names soon. :)
ReplyDeletewin win win
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy a good ghost story. Years ago when we vacationed at Cape Hatteras, I bought a book of local ghost stories. The ones about the ships really fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteI like the setting--it sounds scary. Older cities like Cincinnati can be kind of scary too.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
I love stories like that! Mysteries and ghost stories enthrall me!
ReplyDeleteGood luck for all of us and hope I can win :-D
ReplyDeleteI love a good ghost story. Especially one set in the 1800's. Nice post, Julie.
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer
@Mary, oh, I'm sure I'd love that book.
ReplyDelete@Lee, no question LOL.
@Lynda, me too, I just love them.
@femto, good luck!
@Michael, thank you!
Thanxxxxxxx a lot for this Giveaway
ReplyDeleteNothing quite like a good ghost story. One of my faves is Woman in Black. I've seen it twice at theatre on West End and of course, on film several times. Best of luck with the giveaway... I entered. :D X
ReplyDelete@Shah, oh, I saw Woman in Black in London and I LOVED it!! Such a fantastic show. I haven't seen the movie but I need to watch that. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
ReplyDelete