Ghost ships have haunted sailors for centuries, but what really happens when a ship is found drifting with no crew?
In this episode of the Wondering Monsters Podcast, we dive into the chilling world of ghost ships, abandoned vessels, and cursed voyages. From legendary phantom ships like the Flying Dutchman to real-life maritime mysteries such as the Mary Celeste, we explore why the ocean has produced so many unsettling stories.
We break down the two main types of ghost ships:
- Legendary and haunted vessels doomed to sail forever
- Real ships discovered intact but mysteriously empty
Along the way, we examine famous cases including the Mary Celeste, the Flying Dutchman, the Carol A. Deering, the Octavius, and the Ourang Medan. Are these stories the result of supernatural forces, psychological breakdowns at sea, toxic cargo, or natural phenomena like strange lights and mirages?
This episode also explores why the ocean itself is such a powerful source of fear ... a vast liminal space where isolation, uncertainty, and sudden disaster can turn reality into legend. Whether you believe ghost ships are paranormal, psychological, or something in between, these stories reveal just how thin the line can be between history and myth.
If you’re fascinated by maritime mysteries, abandoned ships, haunted oceans, or unexplained phenomena, this episode is for you.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - Types of and defining ghost ships
2:38 - The Mary Celeste
5:39 - Weird Lights and St. Elmo's Fire
6:40 - The Flying Dutchman
16:39 - The Carol A. Deering
19:40 - MV Lyubov Orlova
21:42 - MV Joyita
22:50 - The Philadelphia Experiment
24:09 - Sailors and bad omens
27:10 - The Queen Mary
30:17 - SS Ourang Medan
36:14 - Future - ghost space ships?
38:38 - Other explanations for ghost ships
48:41 - Ratings
56:08 - Practical advice regarding ghost ships
57:56 - Outro
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Also Mentioned in This Episode:- Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Wild Man Tradition
- The Legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow
- What are Liminal Spaces and Why Do They Feel So Weird?
- Are Ouija Boards Real?
- Hellhounds in Mythology & Folklore
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Full Show Notes and Licensing Information.
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