Once
civilization met the Ohio River, commerce found an easy avenue for
goods to reach the new residents in the frontiers. Sailboats
gave way to canal boats, which gave way to steamboats, which gave
way to shallow draft metal hulled ships and barges.
As more and
more valuable cargo found it's way through these waters, it
attracted the notice of river pirates. Not the
swash-buckling, colorful characters of the Caribbean, these thugs
only wanted the valuables and would not hesitate to annihilate
those on board to get it.
In 1885, the S.S. Shadow was commissioned for another trip on the
Ohio River to deliver an array of supplies on various stops.
Delivering cargo and taking on additional cargo at each port of
call, news that it was a worthy target was whispered along the
banks. Well armed, the crew was able to deflect all attacks
from the ill-equipped pirates it encountered.
Their luck was to change after a cargo swap in Cincinnati.
Setting off for the rest of the journey, they met up with a pirate
crew well known to ply these waters. Armed better than their
primitive brethren downstream, they assaulted the crew of the S.S.
Shadow.
Having enough power to pull away from the pirates, the captain knew
he would not have enough fuel to make port should he maintain the
power to the engine. Rounding a bend in the river, he saw a
good spot to try to hide. Thinking the pirates would believe
they simply pulled away and escaped, he reversed the engines and
backed down the tributary as far as he could.
The pirates were well behind and almost fell for the trick, but the
props from the S.S. Shadow kicked up river bottom mud as they
churned into the hiding spot. Suspicious of the dark brown
flow from the side creek, the pirate captain chose to
investigate.
An empty hulk was left to rest in the spot of the carnage.
Nothing of any value remained. No survivors were permitted to
live to identify the villains. To this day, those who come
across what remains often swear to hear the sounds of the
skirmish. Sounds of banging and scuffling are often
reported. In the mists of the morning, or in the shadows of
moonlight, observers swear they can see the hapless captain walking
the deck of his once proud ship.
Dare you seek what little bounty remains? Be prepared to
board this once proud ship in the same manner as those who brought
her down. Only a miniscule amount of treasure remains in
comparison to what booty that was taken from the bowels of this
ghost ship.
If you are brave enough, you can make your assault from land or
from water. How you make your attempt doesn't matter, the
danger is about equal. Only the type of danger differs, not
the potential of it's impact upon the unwary. But, your
challenge does not end there. Finding the ship is the easy
part. The ghosts of both the crew and of the unlucky pirates
are still embattled. Your electronics will help you some, but
the spirits have been known to cause interference to such an extent
that what you see is not really where it says you are.
We wish you luck. For the benefit of your heirs, leave them a
note as to where you were headed when you disappeared.
Although nobody will actually search for you, it will be a good
reference when your name is added to the rolls of those lost to the
"Ghost Ship".