Superstitions were a part of everyday life for the sailors Here we take a look at some of their common beliefs and superstitions
Mariners are known for the superstitions that they held in their everyday life. Much of these beliefs were in regards to death, since it was a large part of their everyday life, it’s only logical that they held some of the beliefs that they did. No matter how eccentric they may be.
The sea was considered a female entity in and of itself. A common belief was “What the sea wants, the sea gets” it was believed that drowned men and sunken ships belonged to her. People rescued from drowning were considered to be on borrowed time, if the sea wanted them she would get them in the end. The sea has the ability to determine whom she feels unworthy to travel on her, though some are unfit for both land and sea, which are most notably pirates. When a pirate was hung it was always over water and three tides were allowed to pass before they were taken down to be buried on the beach between tides. Though if someone had been lost at sea it was believed that they had been kidnapped by fairies and forced to live in an alternate plane of existence.
The dead didn’t always stay dead. If a person was not given funeral rights at sea they would stay on the sea and board their ship should it return, if it didn’t return they would board another ship. These ghosts weren’t always bad; there are stories where the ghosts have helped crews in their time of need. One story involves two close friends who promised to help each other in their greatest time of need. One day while one of the friends was in the crows nest he saw his best friend on the deck below calling for him to come down. Afraid of getting into trouble he dropped his knife. About halfway down the mast the crows nest tumbled down. The sailor was able to jump onto the deck and walk away with only a few minor injuries. However, unbeknown to the sailor his friend had died before the incident occurred.
Sailors also tried to ward off the bad luck of getting killed with various sorts of charms, talismans etc. Roman Catholic sailors carried images of saints, in particular St Elmo, St Christopher and St. Nicholas. The majority of the Anglo-American sailors kept a specific type of knife on or close by to them, this knife had a black handle and a guard. They also carried a sixpence of a dime.
The dead were believed to be able to take on the form of animals. The most popular animals were specific birds, Albatross or Petrol. These sea birds were a point of curiosity. The Albatross can glide for miles and the Petrol can walk on water. Irish sailors kept the petrol as good luck charms. To kill one of these birds was extremely bad luck however; to get pooped on by one of these birds was good luck.
These precautions against harm may seem a bit outrageous but they were a part of everyday life to help explain the unexplainable.
