A “HOODOO SHIP.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6184, 15 September 1921, Page 2

A “HOODOO SHIP.”

ILL-FATED CECILIA SUDDEN,

Since she was launched in 1902, the Cecelia Sudden, which was burnt near I the Great Barrier last week, has had I so many mishaps that she has acquiri ed the reputation of a “hoodoo” ship among the superstitious sailormen of the Pacific coast of America, as well l as others, who have sailed in her, i says the Auckland Star. “Blime, i boss,” said a Cockney who was approached during the ship’s previous | visit to Auckland to sign on for the ! run across to Callao, “I wouldn’t ' care to sail in that ship; there is a bloomin’ hoodoo on her for the last twenty years. She is called Sudden, and never made a smart trip in her life.” One Paddy Malone, who was also offered a bunk in the fo’castle, said something similar in a different brogue. “I’ve met the lady before,’ ’ remarked Paddy. “Sudden she is, and she’ll go down sudden, too. No berth for me until she changes her name to Murphy.” ! “I knows her,” remarked another j sailorman; “the bosun went mad on ; her, a year or more back, during a j trip from Portland (Oregon) to Syd- j ney with lumber, and another of the j crew killed himself a. trip before j that.” Beyond these her history; shows one episode when she put into j Suva in distress, and the crew had a j good deal of work to do before she j was ready for sea again. About three months ago the Cecilia Sudden drooped into Auckland unexpectedly while on a trip from Newcastle to J Callao, also with coal on. that occas- ; ion. She was then leaikng as the result of a buffeting out in the Paci- j fic, and she had to discharge lier car- j go before she was fit to put out again. Old blue-water men on the ! Pacific Coast have long declared that they would not take a. berth on her unless they wanted to see the inside of Davy Jones’ locker. ,