THE PRINCES AND THE "FLYING DUTCHMAN."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2361, 31 July 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE PRINCES AND THE "FLYING DUTCHMAN."

In the Princes'book, "TheOruiso o the Bacchante," just published hy Mmrf Macmillan, there iB the following entry in the notes of the voyage between Melbourne and Sydney : July 11th (1881.) At 4 a.m., the Flying Dutchman crossed our bows. A strange red light, as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mask, spun and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief as she came up. The look-out man on the forecastle reported her close on the port how, where also the officer of the witch from the bridge clearly saw her, as did »k> the quarter-deck midshipman, who whs sent forward at once to tho forecastle: but on arriving there, no vestige nor. any sign whatever of any material ship was to be seen either near or right away to the horizon, the night being clear and the sea calm, Thirteen persons altogether Baw her, but whether it was Van Diemon or the Flying Dutchman, or who else, must remain unknown. Tho Tourmaline and Cleopatra, who were sailing on our starboard bow, flashed to ask whether we had seen the strange red light. At 10,45 a.m. tho ordiuary seaman who had this morning reported the Flying Dutchman fell from the foretopniast croßß-treea, and waß smashed to atoms. At 4.15 p.m., after quarters, wo hove to with the head-yards aback, and he was buried in the sea. He was a smart Royal yard man, and ono of tho moat promising young hands in the ship, and everyone feels quite sad at his lons. (At the next port we came to tho Admiral also was smitten down.)