The Pallasjock Witch Queen is a legendary figure in Scottish folklore. She is said to have been a powerful witch who ruled over the Pallasjock region in East Ayrshire during the 17th century. According to the stories, she was a beautiful and mystical woman who possessed great supernatural abilities. The Witch Queen was often depicted as a seductive and enchanting figure, able to cast spells and manipulate the elements at will. It was believed that she could control the weather, summon spirits, and transform into various animals. Some accounts even suggest that she had the power of immortality, ensuring her reign for centuries.
Re: 1938 Sears Water Witch 3/4 HP
A day or two later, boat remnants were found in the water by other ships a lifeboat and propeller were discovered and believed to be from the Water Witch. On April 26, 1866, Water Witch was bound down the lake with a load of iron ore when it was overtaken by a squall not far from the mouth of Otter Creek.
Some accounts even suggest that she had the power of immortality, ensuring her reign for centuries. Legend has it that the Witch Queen used her powers to protect the land and its people, providing them with prosperity and good fortune. However, she was also feared by many due to her dark magic and potential for destruction.
Spectral boat Water Witch
Lake Champlain was one of the earliest American waterways to enjoy the advantages of steam propulsion. The Steamer Vermont began service on the lake in 1809, just two years after Robert Fulton’s successful experiment with a steam-powered ship on the Hudson River. Vermont was followed by many more steamers belonging to various companies and individuals. By the early 1830s competition between steamers on the lake’s waters was growing fierce.
In 1832 a famous steamship captain on the lake, Jehaziel Sherman, completed yet another steamboat at Fort Cassin (near Vergennes, Vermont). The new steamer, named Water Witch, was 80 feet (24.38 m) in length and 17 feet (5.18 m) in beam. Sherman entered into direct competition with the leading steamboat company on the lake, the Champlain Transportation Company (CTC), running Water Witch just ahead of the CTC’s boats, undercutting their fares, and stealing the CTC’s passengers. All of this, apparently, was in a bid to force the CTC to make Sherman a director and to buy his boat from him. It worked: in 1835 the CTC paid Sherman $10,000 for Water Witch and made a permanent place for him on its board of directors.
The CTC already had plenty of steamers in service, and so the Water Witch’s engine and boiler were removed and the vessel was converted over to a merchant schooner. Water Witch plied the lake as a cargo vessel for the next thirty years.
On April 26, 1866, Water Witch was bound down the lake with a load of iron ore when it was overtaken by a squall not far from the mouth of Otter Creek. In a matter of seconds the schooner was blown over, the hold filled, and the vessel went to the bottom. The captain, his wife, and two of their children were rescued along with the crew by a passing sloop, but the captain’s infant daughter went down in the schooner’s after cabin.
The wreck of the Water Witch was discovered in 1977 by Canadian diver Derek Grout. A preliminary inspection of the wreck was carried out in 1990 by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. The schooner was found to be nearly intact. The foremast had fallen to the starboard side, and the mainmast was missing, but hull, its equipment, and its cargo of iron ore were still complete.
We returned to the wreck in 1993 to resume our study of the steamer-turned-schooner’s design, construction, and appearance. The project was jointly sponsored by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Texas A&M University, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and Mr. Ray H. Siegfried II. All dives were staged from Captain Fred Fayette’s research vessel Neptune.
Project co-director Dr. Kevin Crisman (left) and colleague Dr. Fred Hocker (right) prepare for a dive on Water Witch.
Project co-director Arthur Cohn descends on the wreck with his video camera.The wooden windlass in the bow of the Water Witch. Years of reeling in anchor chain have severely worn the wooden drums of the windlass.
The crosstrees at the top of the foremast lie in the mud off the starboard side of the wreck One of the stern cabin windows in the transom of the Water Witch.Plan and profile views of the Water Witch, reconstructed from measurements of the hull. The schooner had a very shallow draft, and probably drew no more than four feet of water even when fully laden with iron ore. The centerboard located between the two cargo hatches was added to the vessel when it was converted from a steamer. Despite Water Witch’s steamboat beginnings, its design closely resembles typical lake schooners and sloops of the early to mid nineteenth century.
Water Witch’s days as a steamer were over. Her machinery was removed and she was converted into a schooner. Little is known of her life as a work-a-day craft propelled by wind, but we know that it was long. In 1866, she began her thirty-fourth season. She was captained by Thomas Mock, who had on board his wife and three children. On April 26 the schooner met its end when it foundered in a gale while carrying a load of iron ore. The Mock’s infant, Roa, was in the cabin, and was lost.
It is said that she would punish those who crossed her or threatened her domain, often transforming them into animals or casting curses upon them. Despite her power and influence, the Pallasjock Witch Queen's reign eventually came to an end. The exact details surrounding her downfall are unclear, but it is believed that her power was eventually overcome by a group of brave individuals who were immune to her magic. They were able to weaken her and ultimately defeat her, bringing an end to her rule. The tales of the Pallasjock Witch Queen have been passed down through generations, becoming a part of Scottish folklore. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of magic and the potential consequences that can come from its misuse. Whether she was a benevolent protector or a malevolent sorceress, the Pallasjock Witch Queen remains a captivating figure in the realm of legends and myths..
Reviews for "The Dark Reign of the Pallasjock Witch Queen: Tales from the Past"
1. Rachel - 2 stars
"Pallasjock witch queen" was a huge disappointment for me. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, with random and unexplained events happening throughout. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and lacked flow, making it a struggle to engage with the story. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. Mark - 1 star
I cannot express how much I disliked "Pallasjock witch queen". The entire story was nonsensical and lacked any clear direction. The author seemed to throw in random and unnecessary twists and turns, making it impossible to understand what was happening. The dialogue was also incredibly stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I would not recommend this book to anyone, as it left me feeling confused and frustrated.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Pallasjock witch queen", but it fell way short of my expectations. The storyline was convoluted and overly complicated, making it a challenge to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, with slow sections that dragged on and rushed sections that left me feeling disoriented. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and confused by this book.