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I find it interesting that there are many ghost stories around the country that often include a "Lady In.." Well, this story is about the Lady In White at the Isles of Shoals Lighthouse in New Hampshire. I've seen probably most often black, the lady in blue, and other tales of a lady in white. I think that gives the ghost or lost soul in the story a different kind of appeal. It instantly romanticizes the woman and makes her tale more intriguing. And it holds true - the tales told of the Lady In White of the Isles of Shoals are romantic and of course are intriguing.
She is also known as the Captain's Lady and the Watcher of the Isles of Shoals. She has been sighted on White Island (where the lighthouse stands) and also on Smuttynose Island. A lot has been written about her over the years. Of course there are many tales of pirates out on these 9 islands, so named for a shoal or school of fish (fishing was very abundant in the area). If you can just imagine Pirates out amongst the Isles waiting for some unwary ship. Now, some people tell the tale that she was a companion of the infamous pirate Blackbeard, or a companion to one of those who sailed with him. Whomever she is said to accompany she was left behind on the Isles. It is said she was told to guard a great treasure buried somewhere out amongst the rocks. She was told to watch over the treasure even if it "was until doomsday" awaiting her lover's return. As the story goes he sailed off looking for another adventure. In his travels he encountered a warship and refused to surrender, so he blew up his own ship's magazine with all hands on board. *Which does relate to the story of Edward Teach (Blackbeard). So, she was left to be the lady in waiting on the Island. She is often described as a woman in a long white gown, wearing a long sea coat, who stands on an outcropping of rock staring out to sea. Many people have claimed that they have heard her say "He Will Return."
There have been numerous sightings of her out on the Isles throughout the years. In fact in 1978 a young Coast Guardsmen was out on White Island securing the boats and the dock and claims to have seen the Lady. If you remember how quickly the storm blew in and with such ferocity, If you lived in New England I'm sure that you could understand his fright in not knowing if he and the rest of the Guard would survive. He says as he turned around from the boat, standing before him was the woman in white. He told her about his fear of survival and asked about his own fate. In a reassuring way she told him that everything would be all right and for him not to worry. He returned to the shelter on the island and didn't see her again. He says he felt a sense of calm wash over him, much like the waves that glide over the rocks, and he wasn't so frightened after speaking to her. When the storm finally passed after unleashing quite a fury, he and the rest of the men on the White Island were safe and unharmed.
It sometimes makes me wonder, if on some foggy night while I am standing on the coast looking out to see the flash of White Island lighthouse, if she's out there guarding treasure and reassuring those who need it. Is she doomed to be forever lonely as she stands at her post, waiting for someone who will never return. A ghostly sad, but romantic tale, but don't all stories of romance have a shadow of sadness to stir your emotion - and don't many ghosts linger in places they hold dear?
Here is a nice shot I took of the Nubble Lighthouse (Cape Neddick) in York that was mentioned in this thread.
