A Story Shared by a Sailor’s Wife
This story was sent to us by a Merchant Navy officer, a deeply personal account narrated by his wife. It’s a tale of love, longing… and something ghostly that still haunts the waves.
Why Was Riya Warned Never to Go to the Bow of the Ship?
Riya was newly married and excited beyond words. Her husband, a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy, was on board a vessel berthed near the coast of Spain. Riya was going to join him on his ship and sail for the first time in her life. It was a dream come true. Even though she had to make the journey alone, her happiness knew no bounds.
When she landed at Malaga airport, she felt a bit nervous .Then a few days later, a ship cadet showed up to bring her to the port in a taxi. The car ride was stunning with white villas perched on the slopes of rocks. However, what blew her away were the mammoth oil tanker that loomed like a five-storey high skyscraper, catching the sun and water lapping gently against its hull.
“This will be my home for the next six months,” she thought with joy.
Warm Welcome, But One Strange Warning
Her husband and the all-male crew welcomed her with warmth and enthusiasm. They gave her a grand tour—she saw the bridge with its amazing sea view, walked down the catwalk from the funnel to the bow, and even visited the loud, hot engine room.
Everyone told her, “Explore the ship as much as you want… just don’t go to the bow after dark.”
The Chief Officer smiled kindly, “Your husband will be busy in the engine room. Use the swimming pool, library, and smoke room freely. Just be careful not to go to the front part of the ship after sunset.”
Even the stewards said, “Watch dolphins from the deck. But ma’am, please don’t go near the bow in the evening.”
Riya got curious. Why this one rule?
She asked the Captain. He looked uncomfortable and said, “There are no railings at the bow. Once a new person fell off during rough weather. It’s dangerous.”
Satisfied with the answer, she put the matter aside.
Life on Board – A New Role for Riya
Days passed smoothly. Riya made new friends. She was the aging sister of the cadets in that she would listen to their problems, write love letters for them and give shopping advice on port visits. The ship’s life was tranquil and filled with little pleasures. Then came the storm
And this was the storm
The Stormy Night and a Shadow in the Lightning
An electric storm came at night and the ship shook. Lightning cracked in all directions. The ocean enough threw the ship about and broke crockery. Strong winds disturbed the birds.
While she watched the storm from her porthole in the bunk Riya saw something odd. A tall, bent figure crouched near a small shed at the bow. Every time the lightning flashed, the figure appeared again.
She was shocked. Who was out there in such dangerous weather? Why would someone be given duty during this deadly storm?
The next day was bright and sunny. She asked the steward, “I saw someone at the bow last night—a tall, hunched man. I hope he’s okay?”
The young Filipino steward dropped his tray in fear.
“You saw the twisted sailor? Oh Madam, you are doomed!”
You Saw the Twisted Sailor? The Ship’s Ghost Story Revealed
The steward slowly told her the truth. Years ago, a twisted sailor—a tough man with a bad attitude—served on this ship. He had serious fights with the Captain. One night, after a fierce fight the sailor slipped away.
He was never recovered.
He was supposedly thrown overboard. Others said he fell. There was never any proof of either way.
After that, strange happenstances happened to the ship – machinery crushed Captain, death by violence and crewmen died a mysterious death. A tall, bent figure was often seen on stormy nights, always followed by some tragedy.
The twisted sailor’s sighting became a bad omen. Many feared the ship was cursed.
Riya listened silently. Though scared, she tried to laugh it off.
The Final Encounter – Alone at the Bow
On her last week, Riya decided to surprise her husband with a gift—an album full of beautiful pictures of their ship journey. She wanted her final shot to be dramatic: a sunset photo from the bow of the ship.
That evening, the sky turned golden. Alone on deck, Riya walked carefully along the catwalk to the bow. The area was small, with no railing. As she stepped backward to frame the shot, her heel hit something cold and metallic.
She stumbled and landed flat on her. Her camera was fine, but she had jammed the bottom of her ankle.
Then it began.
She heard footsteps.
Dragging. Inched closer.
The sound of the shed ( figure that was there during the storm that I seen )
I mean, rotten, dead and rust all in one. The temperature dropped. Fear gripped her chest. She couldn’t move.
She remembered the steward’s words. “You saw the twisted sailor…”
The steps were right behind her now.
Terrified, Riya whispered a desperate prayer.
“Balaji… please… take this soul to peace . Let it rest. Free it from this pain.”
Her eyes were closed. She kept on praying.
Then—everything changed.
And the wind dropped Silence fell… The smell was gone.
When the sky turned silver, and the sea threw back liquid silver, she opened her eyes to a crescent moon overhead reflecting just above the placid waters. The deck looked peaceful. The haunted feeling was gone.
Riya stood up slowly, limped away from the bow, and didn’t look back.
In the sky above, a shooting star went upward, like a soul finally freed.
Peace After the Storm
Riya never shared her experience with anyone. Years later she ran into the Chief Officer once more. They chuckled as they reminisced old times. Then saying something he wasn’t expected to say.
“Madam: After you left the ship, there were no more accidents. You gave peace to the ghost maybe
Riya smiled softly and said nothing. Some secrets… are best left at sea.
Why This Story Will Haunt You
Real Ship Ghost Lore – Sailors swear by tales like this! The Mystery Remains – Was the sailor murdered? Did his spirit finally find peace? That Heart-Stopping Moment – When Riya hears the footsteps…
Would YOU dare to go to the bow after dark? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 
