Debunking the 1700s Ghost Ship in St. Augustine: A Viral Post Exposed

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, a viral Facebook post claimed that a fully intact 1700s-era ghost ship had washed ashore near St. Augustine, Florida. The post, which garnered over 19,000 shares, sparked widespread interest and curiosity among locals and tourists alike. However, a closer examination of the claims reveals that the story is entirely false.

The Viral Post: A Closer Look

The Facebook post in question featured an image of a ship that was purportedly a 1700s-era ghost ship. The post claimed that the vessel emerged from the ocean's depths as the Category 4 storm Hurricane Milton churned the Atlantic, sending the ancient ship onto the beach. However, several red flags raised suspicions about the authenticity of the story.

One of the primary concerns was the depiction of the ship. Maritime archaeologist Chuck Meide, the director of the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, pointed out that Florida shipwrecks that wash ashore would never be fully intact due to the warm water and sea creatures that eat the wood of shipwrecks. In Florida waters, shipworms and other marine organisms would have long since consumed any wooden structures, leaving behind only remnants like the lowermost parts of the ship that got buried beneath the seafloor.

Moreover, the post's claim about Hurricane Milton being a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean was also disputed. Meteorologist Robert Speta from First Coast News clarified that Milton was actually a Category 1 hurricane when it crossed into the Atlantic after passing over Central Florida. This discrepancy further eroded the credibility of the ghost ship story.

Using Google Lens, a reverse search of the ship revealed that it was actually the Flying Dutchman, a vessel located on Disney's private island Castaway Cay from 2006 to 2010. The Flying Dutchman was designed after a supernatural, fictional ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. This discovery confirmed that the image was not from a real 1700s-era ghost ship but rather a prop used for promotional purposes.

The Satirical Source

The source of the viral post, Casper Planet, is a Facebook page known for posting satirical and completely fake news stories. The page's bio explicitly mentions that it posts satire, yet thousands of people fell for the story. This highlights how easily misinformation can spread online, especially during times of heightened interest and curiosity.

In a follow-up post titled 'Tourists Outraged After Discovering Non Existent 1700s Pirate Ship in Florida Wasnt Real All Along,' Casper Planet continued its fun with the story. The post humorously described how visitors to Florida's famed beach where the legendary 1700s pirate ship washed ashore after Hurricane Milton discovered an inconvenient truth: the ship doesnt exist.

Real Maritime Archaeology

While the ghost ship story may have been debunked, it does highlight the importance of verifying information before sharing it online. Maritime archaeology is a fascinating field that involves studying shipwrecks and their historical significance.

Chuck Meide's expertise in maritime archaeology sheds light on what happens to most shipwrecks in Florida waters. He explained that due to the warm water and marine organisms like shipworms, wooden structures from centuries-old ships would not remain intact.

However, it's also important to note that hurricanes can occasionally cause pieces of ships to wash ashore. For instance, a 45-foot sailboat named Lady Catherine III washed ashore in Pensacola Beach during Tropical Storm Alberto in June 2018. Similarly, another sailboat called Cuki broke loose from its anchorage in Key West during Hurricane Irma and floated over 300 miles before running ashore at Spessard Holland South Beach Park.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the story of the 1700s ghost ship washing ashore near St. Augustine after Hurricane Milton was intriguing, it was entirely fabricated. The post's numerous flaws and the revelation that it was part of a satirical series serve as a reminder to always verify information before sharing it online.

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