Covered with fog and salty sea spray, yet lighted by the moon, the two masted square-rigger sailed through the dark of night. I could feel the call of the oceans in my bones. Hearing the creaking of the whole ship in bending movement towards the power of the wind in the sails. Waves crashing in big plumes of spray over the bowsprit onto the foredeck. Were they heading into a storm? Were the currents against them? When we (sv Mylady) rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 2015, we went through a STORM I wish not to remember. The waves where the two oceans met were madly confused. Sickening. Was this painting inspired by The Flying Dutchman?
Where, when and how did The legend of The Flying Dutchman get started? It is said that if the Flying Dutchman is seen by the crew of a ship it is a forecast of doom. Sometimes a death aboard, or a severe storm, or even the loss of the ship and crew are prophesied. Some versions say that the Flying Dutchman will hail a ship and ask her to take messages to people that are long deceased and if accepted the ship will be doomed.
Perhaps, In real life the Flying Dutchman was a 17th century Dutch merchantman, captained by Captain Hendrick Van Der Decken.
Wikipedia suggests: "Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine for May 1821, 
which puts the scene as the Cape of Good Hope. This story introduces the name Captain Hendrick Van der Decken for the captain and the motifs (elaborated by later writers) of letters addressed to people long dead being offered to other ships for delivery, but if accepted will bring misfortune; and the captain having sworn to round the Cape of Good Hope though it should take until the day of judgment.
She was an Amsterdam vessel and sailed from port seventy years ago. Her master's name was Van der Decken. He was a staunch seaman, and would have his own way in spite of the devil. For all that, never a sailor under him had reason to complain; though how it is on board with them nobody knows. The story is this: that in doubling the Cape they were a long day trying to weather the Table Bay. However, the wind headed them, and went against them more and more, and Van der Decken walked the deck, swearing at the wind. Just after sunset a vessel spoke him, asking him if he did not mean to go into the bay that night. Van der Decken replied: "May I be eternally damned if I do, though I should beat about here till the day of judgment." And to be sure, he never did go into that bay, for it is believed that he continues to beat about in these seas still, and will do so long enough. This vessel is never seen but with foul weather along with her.”
Today, this painting by artist: Earl Smith, which was given to Jim by a church pastor in Texas, USA, is keeping alive our salted memories and love for ships and oceans.