Even though the “Thirty Years War” had ceased in 1648, its effects lingered throughout the 100 years that followed. The once populated Palatinate had suffered numerous years of bloodshed and religious persecution at the hands of the Roman and French Catholics. The constant battles between the German and French troops had showered the area with killings, theft, taxation, pauperism, disease, and famine. Remaining loyal to the land would surely result in death. It was time for the Palatines and other Protestants to move to the New World to free themselves from this life. However, the journey to a better life had its price.
The Princess Augusta set sail in 1738 with 340 passengers ready for a new life and religious freedom. What a glorious name for a ship, “Princess Augusta.” However, the Princess was anything but gracious and glorious as a princess should be. Her voyage was lengthy and unforgiving. Passengers suffered from overcrowding, food and water supplies became scarce, and conditions deteriorated into disease ridden graveyards. Many lost their lives to “fever and bloody flux,” while others were robbed and deceived by those promising to escort them across the Atlantic. By the time she reached New England, her 340 passengers seeking religious freedom were a mere 150. For more than half, their journey was nevermore. However fate proved to be a worthy foe and the crew did not go unpunished for their sins. For those who did not succumb to disease and death were chastised by winter’s bitter grasp.
As the Princess Augusta neared Block Island on that late December day in 1738, a winter storm arose, bringing forceful gales, strong tides, and low visibility-- everything a ship fears. As the ship surrendered its body to the elements, the remaining crew attempted to steer her towards the signal fires which had directed many distressed ships in the past to safety within the cove. However, on this occasion there was no rescue, no sandy cove. Rather than guiding the ship to safety, the fires lured it to its doom upon the rocky tip of the isle. Consumed with greed the wreckers looted the ship of all her valuables and brought all passengers and their deceased companions ashore. The ship was set afire and left to the mercy of the tide as it carried her into the night. But that was not the last the islanders would see of her. To this day, the glowing, fiery ship reappears north of the island every 12th month to haunt the islanders for taking part in her destruction. The legend is known as the Palatine Light.
Block Island
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Block Island
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This is just one of the many folklore versions surrounding the story of the Palatine, a ghost ship tale based on the historical wreck of the ship Princess Augusta who ran aground on Block Island on December 27th, 1738 carrying Palatine passengers. However that is where the Princess Augusta dies and the Palatine comes to life. The tale grew in popularity when writer, John Greenleaf Whittier's poem "The Palatine,” recounted one version told to him by a settler. He presumably named the poem after the number of Palatines who emigrated from Germany to New England aboard the Princess Augusta, as well as many of the other ships. The Princess Augusta eventually became known as the “Palatine” and the legendary tales as the “Palatine Light.”
Legend or not, the story brings attention to the suffering of the thousands of Palatines before and during their emigration to New England. A monument on Block Island stands to this day, marked for the Palatine passengers who never survived the journey across the Atlantic.
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For more information on the legend of the Palatine Light or Palatine emigration to New England, please visit the following resources or perform a Google search. There is a multitude of information on these topics.
Thank you to the following resources.
Resources:
Bell, M. (2004, April 21). The Legend of the Palatine. Retrieved from http://www.quahog.org/factsfolklore/index.php?id=92
McCain, D. (2009). Phantom Ships. In Mysteries and legends of New England true stories of the unsolved and unexplained (pp. 81-90). Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot.
Powell, N. (1971). Block Island's Fiery Ghost. In Mysterious New England (pp.106-109). Dublin, N.H.: Yankee.
Raven, R. (2007). Haunted Providence: Strange tales from the smallest state (pp. 117-122). Charleston, SC: History Press.
Zuckerman, E. (2004, December 20). Legend of 18th-century ship still haunts Block Island. The Boston Globe. Retrieved from http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2004/12/20/legend_of_18th_century_ship_still_haunts_block_island/?page=full
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