The risks of the area where the sailors found the ‘ghost ship’ have been explained.
A Chilling Discovery in the Atlantic
The Bermuda Triangle, often called the “Devil’s Triangle,” has long been a source of fascination and fear. Its reputation as a treacherous region stems from numerous accounts of unexplained disappearances. Adding to its lore, two sailors in 2013 stumbled upon a ghostly, unmanned ship in the heart of these mysterious waters.
This eerie encounter unfolded as the sailors, part of the Ocean Research Project, navigated the Atlantic Ocean. Spotting the abandoned vessel, they boarded it cautiously, unaware of what they might find.
The Bermuda Triangle’s Infamous History
The Bermuda Triangle forms a loosely defined area between Bermuda to the north, Puerto Rico to the south, and Miami to the west. Its notoriety skyrocketed after the disappearance of Flight 19 on December 5, 1945. A group of military planes vanished without a trace, and no wreckage was ever found.
From 1945 to 2017, at least 10 aircraft have disappeared in this region under mysterious circumstances. Between 1800 and 2015, 14 ships also vanished without explanation. These events have fueled theories ranging from alien abductions to magnetic anomalies.
Debunking the Myths
Not everyone believes in the supernatural explanations surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki pointed out that data from Lloyd’s of London and the US Coast Guard indicate that the number of disappearances in the Triangle is proportional to other areas of the world.
Similarly, a Channel 5 documentary, Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, highlighted extreme weather conditions as a significant factor in these incidents. Nick Hutchings, a geologist, explained that Bermuda is essentially the tip of an underwater volcano. “Core samples reveal magnetite, the most magnetic naturally occurring material on Earth,” he noted, suggesting that such geological features could interfere with navigation.
The Ghost Ship: A Tale of Abandonment
The sailors’ encounter with the deserted vessel added a fresh layer of intrigue to the Bermuda Triangle’s legacy. The ship, identified as Wolfhound, was found 800 miles from Bermuda and 1,500 miles from the United States.
Matt Rutherford, one of the sailors, recorded the eerie moment as he boarded the vessel. “This is one awfully abandoned sailboat. I hope I don’t find any dead bodies or anything crazy like that,” he remarked.
Thankfully, the ship was empty. Rutherford described the surreal experience: “Standing on a very nice Swan 48 in the middle of the ocean, it’s absolutely crazy.”
A Rescue Gone Awry
Rutherford contacted the boat’s owner, who promised a reward if the sailors could tow it back to Bermuda. Despite their efforts, towing a 48-foot boat with a 42-foot vessel proved to be a daunting task.
After 47 days at sea and running low on fuel, the sailors faced another challenge when the abandoned boat’s tangled rudder risked damaging their vessel. Forced to abandon their mission, they cut the ghost ship loose.
The Backstory of Wolfhound
Internet sleuths later identified the Wolfhound as belonging to Alan McGettigan, a skipper from the Royal Irish Yacht Club. McGettigan and his crew had been caught in a violent storm, battling 20-foot waves and winds exceeding 50 knots.
Realizing the peril, they signaled for rescue. A Greek cargo ship responded, saving the crew but leaving the Wolfhound adrift. Nine weeks later, Rutherford and his team stumbled upon the abandoned yacht.
A Reminder of Nature’s Power
The story of Wolfhound serves as a reminder of the ocean’s unpredictability. While scientific explanations may debunk myths surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, the region’s reputation as a place of mystery endures.
For the sailors who encountered the ghost ship, the experience was both surreal and humbling—a proof of the vast and untamed power of the sea.