by Kathleen "Katie" O'Donnell
of Punkin' Doodle Boo Folk Art

In many a quiet town's history, there lurks a tale of strangeness or legend that is passed down from one generation to another. Frightening tales of happenings that leave lasting impressions on us as children, these stories prompt us to sleep with the hall light on, or the closet door shut tight. Spooky tales that make us walk briskly past a dilapidated landmark or old cemetery. Later, when we recall those stories as adults, we find we still get goose bumps on our flesh. Recalling those tales as perfectly rational grownups, we still find ourselves questioning our belief in supernatural occurrences, witchcraft, and mythological beings.

 

April 2008

Last month I shared some old superstitions and childhood tales of my Irish heritage and the eerie legend of the Irish Banshee. This month I bring you the Lake Erie Legend of The Storm Hag.

Many people are acquainted with the legends of the famed Bermuda Triangle. We have all heard the eerie stories of The Triangle; the aircraft that have mysteriously disappeared from radar or the mighty ships that vanish without a trace. However, few of us know the story of the menacing Great Lakes Triangle.

Surprisingly, The Triangle of the Great Lakes has been cited as being responsible for more shipwrecks and disappearances than The Bermuda Triangle. It is estimated that between 6,000 and 10,000 shipwrecks have occurred within The Great Lakes Triangle.
Lake Erie has long been renowned for its treacherous waters and its sudden storms. As a result, frightening legends arose, many of which date back to early in our nations history.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Lake Erie and Erie County, Pennsylvania were sites of navigational importance. Erie was a vital port for commercial shipping and fishing, as well as military and naval operations. Today, Erie County and nearby Presque Isle are considered part of the Erie Triangle or the “Graveyard of Lake Erie”. Early shipping records tell us, that the water off of Erie Pennsylvania is the site of many mysterious disappearances and shipwrecks.

Erie locals will attest to the violent storms and ferocious gale winds that occur over the lake. Many storms are said to come on with little or no warning. Seasoned sailors of the past spoke of their great respect for the Lake and its unpredictable and dangerous weather. During the 18th century, sailors also likely feared a strange and frightening creature that was said to live beneath the depths of Lake Erie, an evil sea witch. American folklore tells us that a Storm Hag, as she was called, was thought by many to live in the Lake close to Presque Isle.

Her pale green, ghost-like form swims lazily through the murky waters, near the tall duckweeds. Her yellow, piercing, cat-like eyes gleam through the waters surface as she lays in wait for her next victim.

There is an old seamen’s story about The Storm Hag of Lake Erie and a shipwreck that occurred in the late 18th century (about 1792). A ship was returning to Erie Port on a dark and very stormy night. The ship and its crew were anxious. The waters were treacherous and they were desperately trying to make their way to Presque Island's safe harbor. As they made their way, the crew began to gain confidence that this journey would come to a safe conclusion, because, as quickly as the storm had begun, it began to wane. As if by magic, the sky began to settle and clear, and the moonlight returned. It had been a long and difficult voyage, but the crew now believed that they would return home safely.

Unfortunately, as the story goes, the ship was steering into a frightening fate. The vessel had finally neared the isle and entered the island's murky waters. According to the story, the sea witch laid in wait in the calm waters, and with great care, she lured the weary ship and its crew to her lair. Suddenly, and without warning, the lake rose up in a violent storm. The crew was caught unprepared. The Storm Hag attacked the vessel and greedily swallowed up the ship and the crew, dragging the ship down into the bottom of the Great Lake. The sad legend goes on to say that if you stand at the lakes edge on a calm, moon lit night, you can still hear the frightened screams of that ancient ill-fated crew.

Disappearances and shipwrecks still occur in The Great Lakes Triangle today, so if you venture out on to Lake Erie, be wary of the sea witch and stay clear of the Presque Isle shores. However, if you are brave enough to near Presque isle, make sure you listen intently. The old legends say that The Storm Hag gives sailors a brief warning before she pulls their vessels into the deep murky lake. Old sailors, who were said to have survived the Storm Hag’s wrath, told tales of a soft luring voice.

A soft voice that sings the chant:
“Come into the water, love, dance beneath the waves,
where dwell the bones of sailor-lads inside my saffron caves.”

So if you find yourself in Lake Erie and you hear the soft singing voice of The Storm Hag, it is said that you only have seconds to abandon ship and save yourself before the Storm Hag pulls you under.

HalloweenArtists.com is a group of talented, artistic individuals who love "Spooky Stories and Frightful Folklore" and all things associated with All Hallows Eve. Each month I will feature a spooky tale that is based on truth and/or regional folklore. I welcome you to send in your own "Spooky Stories and Frightful Folklore" or make suggestions for an upcoming column. Most of all, we encourage you to bookmark our site, so that you may retell these stories to you and yours.

Till next time,
Katie

About the Author:
Kathleen "Katie" O'Donnell is a Colorado artist, educator and mother of two children whose nicknames inspired the title of her business. Her work has been featured in online artisan magazines, and shops and galleries across the country. Visit Katie here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at PunkinDoodleBooFolkArt.com.