Sunday, April 22, 2012

Schooner Carroll A. Deering ~ 31 January 1921


Click HERE for the Mystery of the Carroll A. Deering


More at the Ocracoke Island Journal

More ...

The Ghost Ship
Posted by

In August, 1921 the five-masted schooner, Carroll A Deering, wrecked under mysterious circumstances on Diamond Shoals off the coast of Cape Hatteras. The sails were set and food was in the galley stove, but only a cat prowled below decks. No other living soul was aboard. The Deering soon became known as the "Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks."

The schooner broke apart, and much of the wreckage washed ashore on Ocracoke, where it remained visible for more than 30 years. The Deering's windlass provided an iconic image for many a professional and amateur photographer. In 1955 a storm carried the remains of this once grand ship to Hatteras. For years it rested in front of Wheeler Ballance's Texaco station in Hatteras village, where it was when my mother made this snapshot. 


Today, the remains of the Deering are on display in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras.

6-toed cats ...

On January 21, 1921 the five-masted schooner, Caroll A. Deering (one of the largest schooners ever built), foundered on Diamond Shoals.

When the weather finally cleared and the US Coast Guard was able to board the vessel they discovered all sails set, galley tables set with dinnerware, food in the galley stove....and not a living soul aboard the Deering -- with the exception of one cat. To this day no one knows what happened to the crew. Not a trace of any of them has ever been found.

The story goes that the cat, with six toes on each paw, was taken ashore. Before long six-toed cats started to show up on Hatteras Island, and later, on Ocracoke. Just a couple of years ago, at dusk, Amy noticed a six-toed feral cat skulking about near her house. Perhaps the crew of the Ghost Ship continues to haunt the Outer Banks.


No comments:

Post a Comment