‘Ghost Ship’ Found In Bermuda Triangle Could Unravel a 76-Year-Old Mystery

By: Past Chronicles Staff | Last updated: Nov 20, 2023

Over the years, countless theories have been proposed to explain the strange occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle. Some have suggested that the area is home to strange underwater volcanoes that can sink ships and planes.

Others believe that the Triangle is a portal to another dimension and that the missing ships and planes have been transported to another realm. But, despite the many theories, no one has been able to explain the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle definitively.

The Legend of the Bermuda Triangle

The Triangle, located in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, is roughly bounded by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Over the years, numerous vessels and aircraft have vanished without a trace in the Triangle, leading to speculation about the area’s mysterious powers. One of the most famous cases involved a group of U.S. Navy planes known as Flight 19, which vanished during a training mission in the Triangle in 1945.

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Other notable incidents in the history of the Bermuda Triangle include the disappearance of the cargo ship SS Sandra in 1963 and the loss of the yacht Witchcraft in 1967. In both cases, the ships vanished without a trace, and no wreckage was ever found.

Theories of the Bermuda Triangle

Many theories have been put forth to explain the strange occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle. Some people believe that the area is the site of a supernatural portal or vortex that sucks objects and people into another dimension.

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Others speculate that the Triangle is home to advanced underwater civilizations or even extraterrestrial beings responsible for the disappearance. However, others believe the disappearances can be explained by natural phenomena such as rogue waves, hurricanes, or methane hydrates.

Heavy Shipping and Air Traffic

Despite the many theories and legends surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, it is important to approach the legend with a healthy dose of skepticism. While the area may have a higher concentration of reported incidents than other parts of the ocean, this could be due to the region’s heavy shipping and air traffic.

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The Bermuda Triangle is no more dangerous than any other stretch of water, and many reported incidents might have been exaggerated or misreported.

Supernatural Portal or Vortex

Some people believe that the Bermuda Triangle is the site of a supernatural portal or vortex that sucks objects and people into another dimension. According to this theory, the Triangle is a gateway to another world or parallel universe.

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Proponents of this theory point to the many ships and planes that have vanished without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle and the lack of any wreckage or debris that could be used to explain the disappearances.

Not Scientifically Proven to be True

Most people claim that the only way to explain these strange occurrences is through the existence of a supernatural portal or vortex that sucks objects and people into another dimension.

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However, no scientific evidence supports the theory of a supernatural portal or vortex in the Bermuda Triangle. Many scientists and experts dismiss the idea as highly speculative and lacking real evidence.

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Underwater Civilizations

Some believe the Bermuda Triangle is home to advanced underwater civilizations or even extraterrestrial beings responsible for the vanishing. They propose that these civilizations or beings use the Triangle as a testing ground or a way to communicate with humans.

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This theory proposes that these entities are attempting to send a message or warning to people on Earth through the area’s mysterious disappearances and strange occurrences. However, despite the intriguing nature of this theory, there is currently no concrete evidence to support it.

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Natural Phenomena

Others believe that the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle can be explained by natural phenomena such as rogue waves, hurricanes, or methane hydrates.

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Rogue waves, also known as “freak waves” or “monster waves,” are giant waves that can reach up to 100 feet in height and appear out of nowhere, potentially capsizing ships or causing them to sink. These rare and unpredictable waves can seriously threaten even the most sturdy vessels.

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Bermuda Triangle is Susceptible to Rogue Waves

The Bermuda Triangle is a region that is particularly susceptible to these storms due to its location.

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When a hurricane enters the Triangle, it can become disorienting and confusing for those who are caught in it, as it can cause disruptions in navigational equipment and communication systems. Despite this, hurricanes are a natural and necessary part of the Earth’s climate system, and they help to regulate temperature and moisture levels in the atmosphere.

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Methane Hydrates

Methane hydrates are another possible explanation for the vanishings in the Bermuda Triangle. These are frozen deposits of methane gas found on the ocean floor.

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If these hydrates were to release large amounts of gas suddenly, it could cause a ship to lose buoyancy and sink. While this theory has been proposed to explain the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, there still needs to be concrete evidence to support it.

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Human Error

This is another theory proposed to explain the strange occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle. Some people believe many reported incidents in the area can be attributed to simple mistakes sailors and pilots make, such as navigation errors, equipment failure, or poor weather conditions.

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For example, it is possible that some ships and planes that were reported as missing in the Bermuda Triangle were lost due to navigation errors or equipment failure.

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Equipment Malfunction

In such cases, the crews of these vessels may have become disoriented, or their equipment may have malfunctioned, leading to their disappearance.

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Similarly, poor weather conditions, such as storms or high winds, may have contributed to some of the incidents in the Bermuda Triangle. According to this theory, the legend of the Bermuda Triangle has been fueled by exaggerated or misreported accounts of these incidents.

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Dangerous Waters

Additionally, the Bermuda Triangle is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with a high volume of commercial and recreational vessels passing through the area.

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This heavy traffic, combined with unpredictable weather conditions, such as hurricanes, can lead to an increased likelihood of accidents. The combination of high vessel traffic and turbulent weather conditions can create challenging navigational conditions and increase the risk of collisions, capsizing, and other mishaps.

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The Agonic Lines

One theory suggests that the Bermuda Triangle may be related to the Earth’s magnetic field. The Earth’s magnetic North Pole is slightly different from its geographic North Pole, which means that a compass will not always point precisely north.

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Certain areas on Earth are known as “agonic lines,” where the magnetic and geographic north poles align, and compasses are accurate. The Bermuda Triangle may be located near one of these agonic lines, causing navigation confusion.

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The Caribbean Sea

The Bermuda Triangle is located near an agonic line from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico. Some people believe that navigators who are used to considering the difference between magnetic and true north may need to be corrected when they are close to this line, which could cause them to become disoriented and potentially lead to accidents.

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Additionally, the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea, dotted with many small islands, may make it easier for boats to run aground on hidden shoals if navigational errors are made.

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The Earth's Magnetic Field

Another theory suggests that the Bermuda Triangle could be the site of a large-scale magnetic anomaly, where the Earth’s magnetic field lines are distorted and twisted. This could lead to navigational errors.

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However, there is no evidence to suggest that the Bermuda Triangle has any unusual magnetic disturbances, as indicated by magnetic maps of the area. This theory, therefore, lacks support.

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Massive Bubbles of Methane Gas

Some researchers have proposed that ships sinking in the Bermuda Triangle may be caused by massive bubbles of methane gas released from undersea deposits.

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The ocean floor in the Bermuda Triangle contains large stores of gas that could be suddenly released, creating a frothy surface that could swallow ships. This process is believed to have also created deep craters near Norway’s seafloor. However, this theory has yet to be widely accepted.

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The Bermuda Triangle Today

The Bermuda Triangle is a heavily traveled area, with a large amount of shipping and air traffic passing through the region. As a result, it is not surprising that there have been a higher number of reported incidents in the area.

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An article published on Live Science stated that the Bermuda Triangle is no riskier than any other stretch of water and that many reported incidents may have been exaggerated or misreported.

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NASA Theory Based on Hexagonal Clouds

According to a Honduran daily La Tribuna report, there have been approximately 75 disappearances involving ships and aircraft in the Bermuda Triangle.

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The report also includes a theory proposed by meteorologists, who claim that rare hexagonal clouds in the area, as seen in NASA satellite images, may be responsible for the high number of accidents in the Bermuda Triangle. These clouds, known as “air bombs,” are said to be capable of hitting speeds up to 170 mph.

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Kruszelnicki Theory

The theory proposed by Swedish scientist Kruszelnicki suggests that the Bermuda Triangle is a particularly hazardous area for inexperienced pilots and ship captains. It is supported by the fact that most individuals who have gone missing in the Bermuda Triangle fit this description.

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When combined with the unique geographical location and climatological conditions of the area, as well as the high level of traffic, Kruszelnicki’s theory seems plausible.

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Simple Scientific Explanation

However, it is essential to note that this theory has yet to be conclusively proven, and other factors may be at play in the Bermuda Triangle’s mysterious disappearances.

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Despite the possibility that the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle may have a simple scientific explanation, the legend of this mysterious stretch of the ocean will likely continue to endure. The Bermuda Triangle has long been the subject of fascination and intrigue.

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The Human Factor

One possible explanation for the mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle may be that our minds are biased toward remembering exceptional or unusual occurrences, such as ships disappearing without a trace.

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In contrast, ordinary events, such as ships sinking in hurricanes, may be overlooked. These events can lead to an inaccurate perception of statistical discrepancies in the area. The true explanation for the Bermuda Triangle lies in our psychology rather than the ocean itself.

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Frequency Illusion

The phenomenon of the frequency illusion, also known as the Baader-Meinhof effect, occurs when we become aware of something and begin to notice it more frequently in our surroundings.

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This can lead us to believe that the thing we have noticed is becoming more common when we pay more attention to it. The phenomenon can be particularly pronounced regarding unusual or exceptional events, such as the mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle.

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No True Evidence

It is important to remember that despite the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, there is no evidence to suggest that the region is any more treacherous than any other ocean area.

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While it is always important to be cautious and prepared when traveling or participating in water activities, it is not necessary to avoid the Bermuda Triangle altogether. It can be a beautiful and enjoyable vacation destination if basic safety precautions, such as wearing a lifejacket, are followed.

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An Unexplainable 'Ghost Ship' Discovery

There are many other stories of abandoned ghost ships being discovered. However, some of their mysteries can’t be explained.

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The cargo ship Carroll A. Deering set out in 1920, but something odd happened on its voyage back to Virginia. The ship’s disappearance is linked to the Bermuda Triangle.

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The Voyage Began

In late August of 1921, the Carroll A. Deering was scheduled to pick up coal in Norfolk, Virginia. They would travel to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to unload the coal and then return to Maine.

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William H. Merritt captained the ship, selecting his 29-year-old son as the first mate. There were 11 crew members in total.

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An Ailing Captain

After departing Boston, Merritt succumbed to an illness and couldn’t captain the ship any longer. The ship was diverted to the port at Lewes, Delaware where he was let off.

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Source: Delaware Public Archives/ Flickr

His son also got off and took care of his ailing father. They were the lucky ones.

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New Leadership

They found a new captain, Captain Charles W.B. Wormell, and his new first mate, Charles B. McLellan. The vessel made it to Rio on September 8, 1921 without any issues.

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Source: carrolldeeringmystery.blogspot.com

But, things started to take a turn for the worst after reaching Barbados and docking there. They wouldn’t make it home to Maine.

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Strange Behaviors

A North Carolinian lightship keeper said a crewman who wasn’t very officer-like reported that the ship lost its anchors. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew members were suspiciously “milling about.”

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The Carroll A. Deering would be spotted near the Outer Banks the next day, which was an odd route for a ship on its way to Norfolk, VA. A day after that, the ship was abandoned, but horrific conditions deterred investigators.

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Nobody Was Ever Found

When the investigators could finally go onboard, there was food laid out as if the crew were about to have a meal. Strangely enough, the crew’s personal belongings and lifeboats weren’t there.

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The federal government’s leads on pirates, mutinies, and others didn’t lead to anything. Since the discovery, there have been no tangible answers or evidence regarding the ship or the crew’s disappearance.

The ship did pass through a stretch of the Bermuda Triangle’s area before it was found abandoned and wrecked with nobody on it.

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Theories About The Disappearance

There have been many theories surrounding the Carroll A. Deering disappearance. One of them is actually connected to the SS Hewitt, another ship that disappeared around the same time.

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The Hewitt was traveling from Sabine, Texas, to Portland, Maine, hauling a cargo of sulfur when it sent its last message on January 25th off Florida’s coast. It was expected on January 29th in Boston but never arrived. A search was prompted when the ship and her crew vanished without a trace.

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A Possibility Of Collision

Is it possible that the two ships could have collided somewhere on both of their journeys?

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Source: Chronicling America/ Library of Congress

According to a New York-Tribune newspaper from 1921, they cited it as a possibility: “The lack of oars, life preservers or other floating wreckage is instanced as an argument against this theory.” The lives of 58 men were unknown.

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Could Pirates Have Captured The Ship?

A message in a bottle in April 1921 was discovered by a man off the North Carolina coast, which seemed to provide an answer. The note said: “Deering captured by oil-burning boat.”

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Source: Times of the Islands

The State Department started investigating Deering‘s disappearance (as well as other missing vessels). They suspected that pirates had captured Deering.

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The Note Wasn't From Pirates

After the note was found, newspapers started reporting about a possible Bolshevik scheme to steal the ships, cargo, and crews and bring them to Russian ports.

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It turned out to be a hoax – and the note wasn’t written by pirates.

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Investigations Brought Up No Evidence

It was Christopher Columbus Gray who faked the note. He hoped he could discredit the staff at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse and snag someone’s job.

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After the hoax was revealed, the U.S. Navy, Treasure, State Department, Department of Commerce, and Department of Justice began investigating. No explanations resulted from their investigations.

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