The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic

The story of the stories we tell about the abyss, uncanny folklore linking seafarers across time and the globe.

The vast expanse, unknown depths, dangers, and mysteries of the sea have led mariners to create fantastical stories of ghosts and monsters for centuries; it is a world strange and other to the experience of land dwellers. This body of lore has served to bond nautical communities together around the world and throughout history, with international stories fusing with local tales. The Perilous Deep explores why these stories were told, how they were repeated and mutated, and what fears, anxieties, and desires they helped to express. This is a fascinating exploration of the supernatural history of the Atlantic Ocean and some of its neighboring seas, showing how seafaring peoples have developed knowledge and a sense of control over nature through myths and legends.

Karl Bell is associate professor in cultural and social history and codirector of the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. His books include The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack.