Letter from William A. Wheeler to Richard Henry Dana

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This is a scanned version of the original document in the Abernethy Manuscripts Collection at Middlebury College.

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Harrison Square (Dorchester), March 30th, 1864.

My dear Sir,

Can you tell me when and where the story of the Flying Dutchman originated? My reason for asking the question you will understand, if you will have the goodness to glance at the enclosed Circular. All I know about the matter is embodied in the following account.

[attached item missing]

Marryatt's "Phantom Ship" is founded upon the legend, but contains no account of its origin. Do British and American sailors of the present day have full faith in the truth of the tale?

I would not trouble you, Sir, with a letter of inquiry from an entire stranger, but have been

Last edit about 2 years ago by Fudgy
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unable to get at any very satisfactory results elsewhere, and have thought that you would be more likely to know all about the matter than any other man among us.

I remain, Sir, Very respectfully yours, William A. Wheeler

R. H. Dana, Jr., Esq., Boston.

Dear Sir I can only give for the tradition among seamen, which is that a Dutch captain, bound home from the E. Indies Having long continued head winds & heavy weather off Cape of Good Hope, refused to put back as he was advised, & swore a very profane oath that he would beat round the Cape if he had to beat there

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until the Day of Judgment, & that he was taken at his word & doomed to beat against heed winds all his days. His sails had become threadbare & his ship's sides white with age, & he & his crew reduced almost to shadows. He could not heave to or lower a boat, but sometimes hailed vessels through his trumpet.

This is the tradition that I heard, but I cannot refer you to any authentic source of information.

Yours respectfully Rich. H. Dana jr

Mr. W S. Wheeler

M-2 119 11

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