Ok, I’m tired of people. Who’s with me?!?! I feel like now is a good time as any to bring up the ghost ship of Harpswell, Maine.
Many believe this ghost ship is that of the ‘Dash.’ It was built in Freeport and used during the War of 1812 as a privateering vessel, which in my opinion meant you could legally be a pirate with the Presidents blessing. Captained by four different men over her career, this Superhero ships reputation for attaining and outrunning British war vessels was nothing short of stellar.
The appropriately named ‘Dash’ was designed so that changes could be made easily and quickly. After a few successful tries at getting around blockades and trading goods with the West Indies and Canadian border, they made her even faster.
With more speed, confidence and guns, she went on to accomplish seven voyages, taking over 15 ships and never lost a game of chase with the British. On only her second voyage she not only took over a British ship but also recaptured an American vessel. (Now, that’s just showing off).
She did all this with no injuries to crew members or to ship. Dash was well on her way to stardom. So far all I can see is a nautical version of Disney’s “Cars” in my head; just a giant muscle bound ship zipping around and flexing it’s muscles in the sea, challenging whoever came along to one-up them. With that said, what Disney movie do you know of that doesn't begin with a tragedy?
In January of 1814 Dash and her new ship friend The Champlain left port simultaneously, everyone eager to see just how well the Champlain would measure up in speed. However, this is Maine and it was the middle of winter, which of course means, storm. The Champlain, obviously the brainiac of the two, decided to change course to avoid the storm while Dash put the pedal to the medal and kept on going. Like a new teenage driver in a beefed up hot rod, Captain Porter likely misjudged his speed and dove into that storm head first before he knew what hit him. All crew members were forever lost in the storm-but not the invincible Dash.
Dash eventually reemerged from the unforgiving sea. The first sighting of her return is not clear. She rolls in with a foreboding silence, materializing from a sudden fog bank. She has been seen at Lookout Point, Bailey’s Island, Orr’s Island, Pott’s Point, basically anywhere off the coast of Harpswell. This ship will come barreling at you full sail, no matter the weather and then POOF~~gone.
Individuals working the docks have seen it headed their way, some worried that she will crash due to her speed, only for the ship to vanish in the oddly timed fog. Lobster fishermen have seen it sail clean by them without so much as a spray of water splashing them in its wake. Not a noise is made by the ship nor is there ever a sailor running about on deck, not even a ghost crew-just a ship hauling in some bad luck for those who catch sight. Some have claimed they thought the ship was going to run them down, only to do the blinking-eye-rubbing-double-take to find the ship had vanished.
One thing most locals would agree on, catching sight of the ship was a bad omen, bringing death to the small island. Reports were made of people losing loved ones or expiring themselves shortly after seeing the ship. Now, if two people happened to see the ship at the same time, you guess it-double trouble. Both parties would be subjected to the repercussions.
Imagine being out on a boat, minding your own business, hauling in traps, working your butt off only to pick your head up and see a muscle riddled speed demon sailing straight at you. The thought of being THAT close to a ship with no sign of life on it would scare the dickens out of anyone, let alone seeing it for oneself. Throw in the instant fog and you have yourself a heart attack.
This ghost ship is so well known that famous poets John Greenleaf Whittier and Robert Peter Tristram Coffin both wrote about her. No remains were ever found of the Dash or any of the crew. Which begs the question, is the Dash still sailing around looking for ships to take over, race or chase? Or is she merely staying as vigilant in protecting her harbors in death as she was in life?
So, if you find yourself in Harpswell, be careful where you look. One of the ships you often times see in the distance, could just be Dash clearing out the harbor.
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