Maritime Storytelling.

[Andy R]

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I do not know what the “curse of drowned sailor” is called.
There’s an old sailor’s story (like an old wives tale, but for sailors) that if a sailor drowns, thy “might” be reincarnated as an undead (an unkillable) demon of the sea, doomed to hunt the seas themselves, looking for their fellow sailors to drown and bring into the collective- Kinda like zombies of the oceans.
¿Anyone know what they were called? I think the term itself was Hellenic (Ancient Greek).

[Klickus Mobilius]

Hmm.  This sounds a lot like the story of the Flying Dutchman:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Dutchman

In ancient Greek mythology, there are also Sirens whose music lured sailors to their deaths:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren

Otherwise, I am not familiar with the curse you describe.  If anyone knows, please enlighten us.  I love folklore, myths, and legends.

[playmofire]

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I do not know what the “curse of drowned sailor” is called.
There’s an old sailor’s story (like an old wives tale, but for sailors) that if a sailor drowns, thy “might” be reincarnated as an undead (an unkillable) demon of the sea, doomed to hunt the seas themselves, looking for their fellow sailors to drown and bring into the collective- Kinda like zombies of the oceans.
¿Anyone know what they were called? I think the term itself was Hellenic (Ancient Greek).

Try here:

http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/newfoundland1.html

though it doesn't help much.

[Wolf Knight]

Have not ancounter any such story in greek mythology...nor heard any such myth when I was serving in the Navy.... Klickus is right about the Sirens...They loured the sailors by singing and drowned them...maybe this is what you need?

This story is chilling Gordon...

[Ali Baba]

http://www.lenntech.com/water-mythology.htm

Some stories vaguely resemble the description, but no drowned sailor demons drowning other sailors.

Do you have more info on this, Andy? Where did you here of this?

[Klickus Mobilius]

Try here:

http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/newfoundland1.html

though it doesn't help much.

Brrrr...I got goosebumps reading this ghost story!   

[Andy R]

http://www.lenntech.com/water-mythology.htmSome stories vaguely resemble the description, but no drowned sailor demons drowning other sailors.
Do you have more info on this, Andy? Where did you here of this?

I dunno, Vodianoi sounds awful close… Can’t even begin to remember where I heard it, but heard it again around the time Pirates of the Caribbean- Dean Man’s Chest came out and they were talking about the crew of Flying Dutchman.
Ok, my reason is story telling vis-à-vis Ghost Pirate Ship, which I’ve already named Flying Dutchman (my younger daughter calls her “Flying Dutchmint”). With the look of her crew, I thought “¿Why not use the curse of the drowned sailors?” and then remembered- I forgot what they’re called…
(P.S.- I took the Styrofoam out so she could sink, and otherwise modified her gear to include a winch on her cannon-fired grapple.)

[skypurr]

We have a different story here on the Solway Coast

THE BARNHOURIE MERMAID
Once upon a time a beautiful  young mermaid lived in a cave near the Needles Eye at Southwick.  She fell in love with a sailor from Dalbeattie.
After one long voyage the sailor's ship was trying to reach Kippford when it ran aground on the Barnhourie Bank and was wrecked.  The mermaid rescued the young sailor and took him to her cave to recover.
After another long voyage to America the sailor's ship was again wrecked on the Barnhouries.  Again the mermaid rescued him, but he was really drowned.  She helped him to recover - but only to join her in her life in the sea.
Their life together was very happy but everytime there was a storm they always tried to help sailors to save them from shipwreck.

Perhaps we're just nicer here in Scotland 

Elaine

[Klickus Mobilius]

Thanks for the mermaid story, Elaine!

I love mermaids!     One of my favorite movies is "Splash" starring Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah.  And of course, there's Disney's "Little Mermaid."  ("Under de sea...under de sea...")

[WarriorOfToys]

I love the Scottish story!
The other story is not so bad,
A little spooky, but nothing super scary!