Legend From The Jersey Shore

Before Ellis Island ever became the staging place for immigrants, the South Jersey shores welcomed ships bound for a new land of freedom. Some of those ships never touched shore but were swept up in violent storms along the coast. One such story involves a young girl, her name or nationality we do not know. It was in the year of 1817 and an awful treacherous storm hit the sea and coastland. On the Island of Barnegat a Captain by the name of Stephen Willets was watching as the winds tore trees from their roots and the waves beat savagely against the shoreline. His concern was for any ship that may have been caught up in the storm. When the storm subsided he took his spyglass and combed the sea for any signs of a ship or worst, wreckage. His fears were soon founded when bits and pieces of wood began to wash to shore. Soon, the bodies of seamen were apparent. He gazed out into the sea and saw the hulk of ship being brought to shore by the waves. By this time, many other residents had joined him and they began to search for survivors. There were none to be found.

Captain Willetts had given up all hope when suddenly he heard a faint sound. It was a thumping sound different from the roar of the waves breaking. He listened more intently wondering if it was just his imagination. Soon others heard it too. He ran to the hulk and with the help of others, they managed to pry away pieces of the ship until they heard a cry for help. He reached his hand in through the hole and drew out a beautiful young girl. She was crying and rambling on in a language that none of them could understand. Her hysteria soon gave way to an act of gratitude as she drew a cross in the sand. Her rescuers knew what she was trying to say.

Not much is known about the young girl or what became of her. Legend has it that the site was given a name in memory of the young girl that was saved from the bottom of a ship-it was called Ship Bottom.

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Author: Vickie Van Antwerp