Research source

I am still near, Watching the smiles I prized on earth, Your converse mild, your blameless mirth.[64

Date of account: Late nineteenth-century compilation
Source: The Ghost World
Reference: The Ghost World · selected passage 196
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

Occasionally, the ghost of a former captain is supposed to visit a vessel and to warn the crew of an approaching storm

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

Occasionally, the ghost of a former captain is supposed to visit a vessel and to warn the crew of an approaching storm. Symondson in his 'Two Years abaft the Mast' records the appearance of such an apparition, at one time 'to prescribe a change of course, at another, in wet and calm weather, quietly seated in his usual place on the poop deck.'[254] Sometimes similar warnings have come from other sources. Thus a curious occurrence is told by Mary Howitt, which happened in 1664 to Captain Rogers, R.N., who was in command of the 'Society,' a vessel bound from England to Virginia. The story goes that 'he was heading in for the capes, and was, as he reckoned, after heaving the lead, three hundred miles from them. A vision appeared to him in the night, telling him to turn out, and look about. He did so, found all alert, and retired again. The vision appeared again, and told him to heave the lead. He arose, caused the lead to be cast, and found but seven fathoms.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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