Slog
News & ArtsThursday, April 5, 2012
Transportation The Enchantment of Ghost Ships
Posted by Charles Mudede on Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 8:38 AM
Any news story about a ghost ship can't help but be beautiful...
An unmanned Japanese fishing vessel that was cast adrift following last year's devastating earthquake and tsunami has likely seen its last day as the U.S. Coast Guard makes plans to sink the vessel as it nears the shores of Alaska.But how sad it is to think that no one will board this ghost ship (its haunted creaking and swaying, its rust and decay, its uncanny lifelessness) before it's sunk to bottom of the sea.A U.S. Coast Guard cutter vessel was en route to Japanese ship's location Wednesday night and the rusted vessel could be sent to the bottom as early as Thursday.
4
You're fucking kidding me. You're going to bash on an animal that has evolved over millions of years to DIGEST FUCKING BONE but then cream your pants over a rusted abandoned boat that is so useless and unwanted that they'd rather sink it than board it. WTF is wrong with you?
5
It will make a lovely reef.
#4 Ghost ships have a history as literary symbolism, Google is your friend.
#4 Ghost ships have a history as literary symbolism, Google is your friend.
6
@ 5, comprehension apparently isn't yours. @ 4's comment had nothing to do with literary symbolism or any other kind of misunderstanding of Charles.
I doubt it would be safe to board, anyway. The motor is sure to be inoperable, and getting it going would be the only way to make it safe. Even if there was something of value to recover, better to sink it and dive for it later.
I doubt it would be safe to board, anyway. The motor is sure to be inoperable, and getting it going would be the only way to make it safe. Even if there was something of value to recover, better to sink it and dive for it later.
10
I've come to believe your understanding of the natural world is about as deep as the oil slick sinking this boat will leave on the surface of the ocean.
11
One of the many things in life that look enchanting and great until you actually get close to it.
If you actually board one of these drifters, you will immediately want to leave. Just sharp rusted points, mold, rotten organic materials (of all sorts) wet, and draft.
I used to accompany my uncle on salvage trips in the summer, and I have seen a few of these first hand. Nothing romantic about them...they are better in books, or at best viewed from a few miles away, through a thin mist.
If you actually board one of these drifters, you will immediately want to leave. Just sharp rusted points, mold, rotten organic materials (of all sorts) wet, and draft.
I used to accompany my uncle on salvage trips in the summer, and I have seen a few of these first hand. Nothing romantic about them...they are better in books, or at best viewed from a few miles away, through a thin mist.
12
Have you seen Manufactured Landscapes? The beauty of industrial landscapes, pollution, and other sort of 'yuck' things. http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/film.php?d…
13
@11
It still sounds cool. I mean, I know you're trying to save us all the trouble of tetanus and mold infections and dead sailor hauntings, and that's cool of you, but I still want to go see for myself. Sorry.
It still sounds cool. I mean, I know you're trying to save us all the trouble of tetanus and mold infections and dead sailor hauntings, and that's cool of you, but I still want to go see for myself. Sorry.
14
The crew of the Canadian ship FV Bernice C has claimed salvage rights, and will attempt to tow the Ryou-Un Maru. Under International Maritime law the US Coast Guard has to stand down and allow the Bernice C crew a chance. It's a fascinating story and lesson in international maritime law. Unfortunately, the risk that the Canadians will encounter problems is high, and the ship may ultimately have to be scuttled closer to shore in more environmentally sensitive waters. Stay tuned.
15
@13: To each his own, but you will only care to do it once.
Of course, if Walt Whitman taught me anything, it is that knowledge ruins Romance. I suppose I took on the role of the Learn'd Astronomer on this one.
Of course, if Walt Whitman taught me anything, it is that knowledge ruins Romance. I suppose I took on the role of the Learn'd Astronomer on this one.
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