Black Dogs and Phantom Hounds, Part One: Maryland and Delaware
Legends of black dogs and phantom hounds are widespread throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, which was one of the earliest areas settled by the English.
Monthly Archive: November 2009
Guánica Creature
Near Guánica , on 23 December 1995, Osvaldo Rosado, a 44-year old mechanic was washing his car when he had a strange experience with a large creature. As he walked back to the house he was grabbed from behind by what was described as a seven foot tall hairy gorilla like figure. He fought back and the creature ran off.
St Mary’s Church, Wanstead
The current St Mary’s dates from 1787 and is a Grade I listed building designed by Thomas Hardwick. The earlier church stood 70’ south of the present building and was demolished when the newer church was completed in 1790. The later church does have some monuments inside it that were originally from the older one and according to tradition it may have a few apparitions as well.
The Flying Dutchman
The Flying Dutchman is the most famous example of a phantom ship, although its true origins are now lost in the mists of time. It is the prime folk motif of this type, appearing in various adaptations and in literature, most recently given graphic solidity in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Combermere Abbey Photograph
In December 1891, Sybell Corbet took an interesting photograph of the library at Combermere Abbey. When the film was developed the ghost like image of a figure could be seen sitting in one of the chairs. This figure was tentatively identified as Lord Combermere who’s funeral was taking place at the time the photograph was taken.
Mary Pearcey
Mary Pearcey was executed on 23 December 1890 for the murder of Phoebe Hogg and her infant daughter also named Phoebe. Some elements of this murder were similar to the 1888 Whitechapel murders and Mary has been considered as a potential candidate for being Jack the Ripper. It is also claimed that her apparition has been seen, wandering the streets around Whitechapel.
London Bridge
On 18 April 1968 London Bridge was sold to Robert McCulloch, an American businessman for US$2,460,000. The bridge was dismantled and transported via Long Beach to Lake Havasu City in Arizona where it was re-assembled and has become one of the states top tourist attractions. However, it has been reported that ghostly apparitions, possibly of Londoners have been seen crossing the bridge.
Old London Bridge
Around the area where the old London Bridge stood there is a tradition that ghostly cries for help can be heard as if people are drowning in the River Thames. This dates back to a dark time in English history and the cries are thought to be those of a group of Jews that were tricked by a ships captain in 1290.
The Bank of England and The Black Nun
The Bank of England on Threadneedle Street is sometimes referred to as ‘The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’ and is reputedly haunted by the apparition of Sarah Whitehead, also known as ‘The Black Nun’.
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