Cabo de Buena Esperanza, 1641. El barco del capitán holandés Willen van der Decken se enfrenta a una peligrosa tormenta. La tripulación suplica al capitán buscar refugio en la bahía. Pero el capitán van der Decken desafía a Dios y a los elementos, blasfemando y burlándose de la tormenta. Sus juramentos blasfemos desatan la ira de Dios, que le condena a vagar eternamente por los siete mares, sin lograr llegar jamás a puerto, hasta el día del juicio final. Desde entonces, su barco fantasma deambula sin rumbo en alta mar, presagiando desgracias a quienes tienen la mala fortuna de encontrarse con él.
¿Existió de verdad el capitán van der Decken?
Las historias de barcos fantasmas que traen desgracias a quienes los avistan son innumerables. Los elementos del mito del holandés errante ya existían desde al menos el siglo dieciséis, pero la leyenda tomó forma propia en el siglo diecinueve, influida por la literatura.
En el siglo diecinueve Frederick Marryat, un escritor inglés del Romanticismo le da el nombre de Willem van der Decken al capitán del barco en la novela “El buque fantasma”.
Según esta novela, el capitán van der Decken era oriundo de Terneuzen, una ciudad al sur de los Países Bajos. Hoy en día la ciudad de Terneuzen sigue alimentando el mito con fines turísticos.
Sin embargo, todo apunta a que el capitán van der Decken no existió. Hay otra figura histórica en que pudo inspirarse la leyenda, el marinero holandés Bernard Fokke, que vivió en el siglo diecisiete.
El capitán Bernard Fokke y las Indias Orientales
En esa época Holanda, o lo que más correctamente son los Países Bajos, todavía no se llamaba así. Era la República de los Siete Países Neerlandeses, y se había establecido como una gran potencia mundial en el comercio marítimo. La Compañía Neerlandesa de las Indias Orientales realizaba con gran éxito viajes comerciales a las Indias, en particular a Indonesia. Su capital Batavia, hoy conocida como Jakarta, se convirtió en el centro de la red comercial de la compañía.
Para hacer los viajes a las Indias, los navegantes neerlandeses viajaban de Holanda a Indonesia a través de la llamada Ruta Brower, que era mucho más corta que la conocida como ruta del monzón. La ruta Brower reducía a la mitad el tiempo de travesía, pero era mucho más peligrosa, ya que existía un gran riesgo de no calcular bien el rumbo y acabar naufragando en las costas occidentales de Australia.
Bernard Fokke era el capitán de uno de los barcos de la compañía de las indias orientales. Fokke era célebre por la velocidad de sus viajes a Java, que no tenía parangón en su época. En el año mil seiscientos setenta y ocho cubrió la distancia en tres meses y cuatro días.
Debido a esta rapidez, se empezó a especular que contaba con la ayuda del diablo para cubrir sus rutas. La creencia popular es que nunca regresó de su último viaje y que él era el verdadero capitán del barco fantasma del Holandés Errante.
En los siguientes dos siglos, la historia real se fue entrelazando con diversos elementos legendarios. De ahí surgió el mito del famoso capitán holandés que inspiró obras artísticas como la ópera de Wagner en mil ochocientos cuarenta y tres, y años más tarde la novela de Marryet. Como ya hemos visto, aquí al capitán ya se le da el nombre de van der Decken.
Avistamientos famosos del Holandés Errante
Dejando aparte la identidad de su capitán, los avistamientos de este barco espectral han sido numerosísimos a través de los siglos, llegando incluso hasta la década de mil novecientos noventa. Aunque la mayoría se han producido en la zona del Cabo de Buena Esperanza en Sudáfrica, se han reportado apariciones del barco fantasma en diferentes partes del mundo.
Según dicen quienes han sobrevivido para contarlo, el buque navega siempre contra el viento, sus velas son de color rojo sangre y se desliza por encima del agua, como si volase. Por eso en inglés se le conoce como el “flying Datchman”, que significa “el holandés volador”.
El barco del rey Jorge de Inglaterra
Uno de los avistamientos más famosos del holandés errante fue en mil ochocientos ochenta y uno, en el barco en que viajaba el Príncipe Jorge de Inglaterra por las costas de Australia. El vigía avistó un galeón antiguo que desprendía una extraña luz roja. La tripulación al completo, compuesta por catorce personas, vio el galeón con sus propios ojos, dejando constancia de ello en el cuaderno de bitácora. Como era de esperar, el avistamiento presagiaba una desgracia. A las pocas horas el vigía se precipitó desde el mástil, muriendo instantáneamente al chocar contra la cubierta. Por fortuna, el resto de la tripulación del barco no corrió la misma suerte, y el príncipe vivió para convertirse en el rey Jorge V de Inglaterra.
El submarino alemán
Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial también se produjo otro avistamiento muy conocido. En mil novecientos cuarenta y uno, un submarino alemán que participaba en la Batalla del Atlántico reportó sobre un barco antiguo avanzando a lo lejos a toda velocidad con todas las velas desplegadas, aunque el mar estaba en calma y no había viento que lo impulsara.
La explicación científica es que los avistamientos en realidad son espejismos. Este fenómeno se produce cuando la mar está en calma y en determinadas condiciones atmosféricas. El horizonte produce literalmente un efecto espejo, con lo cual se puede ver allí el reflejo de otro barco durante unos instantes.
Esto es lo que nos dice la ciencia, pero si algún día estás en alta mar y ves un barco antiguo con las velas rojas, que navega flotando por encima del agua, te recomiendo que no te quedes a comprobar si es solo una ilusión óptica. ¡Recuerda que todavía nos quedan muchos misterios que descubrir, y muchos encuentros a medianoche!
whoah this blog is magnificent i really like reading your
articles. Stayy upp the good work! You realize, lots of persons are hunting round forr this information, you
can aid them greatly.
my page: Penzu.Com
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what blog owners wrote but this web site is rattling user pleasant! .
Wonderful site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
I like this website very much so much wonderful information.
Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get one thing done.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
What Is Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic? Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic is a weight management formula that is said to eliminate excess body fat naturally.
What Is Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic? Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic is a weight loss supplement that targets the root cause of weight gain issues.
Very interesting points you have noted, appreciate it for putting up. «She had an unequalled gift… of squeezing big mistakes into small opportunities.» by Henry James.
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Some really nice and useful info on this site, also I conceive the layout has great features.
I’d perpetually want to be update on new posts on this website , saved to favorites! .
What is Sugar Defender 24? Jeffrey Mitchell made the Sugar Defender 24. It is a product (Sugar Defender Diabetes) that helps your blood sugar health.
What i do not realize is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in internet explorer, may check this… IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge section of other people will pass over your great writing due to this problem.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Hello there, I found your website via Google while looking for a similar subject, your site came up, it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, could test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a big portion of folks will pass over your wonderful writing because of this problem.
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I am typically to blogging and i really recognize your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and preserve checking for new information.
What is Tea Burn? Tea Burn is a new market-leading fat-burning supplement with a natural patent formula that can increase both speed and efficiency of metabolism. Combining it with Tea, water, or coffee can help burn calories quickly.
I really like your writing style, great info, thank you for posting :D. «Every moment of one’s existence one is growing into more or retreating into less.» by Norman Mailer.
Hi there, simply become alert to your blog thru Google, and located that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will appreciate when you continue this in future. Many folks will be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
You are my inhalation, I have few blogs and very sporadically run out from to post .
I don’t ordinarily comment but I gotta tell regards for the post on this amazing one : D.
What Is Java Burn? Java Burn is a natural health supplement that is formulated using clinically backed ingredients that promote healthy weight loss.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in web explorer, could check thisK IE still is the market leader and a big section of people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange methods with others, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Rattling instructive and great complex body part of written content, now that’s user pleasant (:.
There are certainly quite a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to bring up. I offer the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up where the most important factor might be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both girls and boys really feel the impact of only a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice article.
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
I don’t even understand how I stopped up here, however I assumed this post was great. I don’t recognise who you might be but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Thanks for another magnificent post. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
Hiya very nice site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?KI’m satisfied to find so many helpful information right here in the submit, we need develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Hi! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!
Patel G, Shelat P, Lalwani A priligy (dapoxetine) Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 30 428 435
Reading your article helped me a lot and I agree with you. But I still have some doubts, can you clarify for me? I’ll keep an eye out for your answers. https://accounts.binance.com/bn/register?ref=UM6SMJM3
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
I wanted to start making some money off of my blog, how would I go about doing so? What about google adsense or other programs like it?.
I like this internet site because so much utile stuff on here : D.
Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this web site needs much more consideration. I’ll in all probability be once more to read much more, thanks for that info.
My video player in joomla doesn’t play videos in firefox if the latest flash player isn’t installed. I’d like to have it like a professional player to show a dialog saying: «Do you want to install flash player 10» or how it says when you go to a professional website so users don’t have to search and download flash player manually…. . Does anyone know, how to do this?.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this web site. I am hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Unquestionably imagine that that you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest factor to remember of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about concerns that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , folks could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://www.binance.com/en-ZA/register?ref=JHQQKNKN
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Absolutely indited articles, appreciate it for entropy.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Christine Swidorsky Stevenson says on her Facebook page that Logan died in her arms at 8 18 p priligy amazon uk
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I was studying some of your content on this site and I conceive this internet site is really instructive! Keep posting.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!