Digest

This episode of Lore delves into the captivating and often chilling history of Boston Harbor. The episode begins by debunking the myth that the Great Wall of China is visible from space, highlighting the significance of boundaries and the allure of the unknown. It then focuses on Boston Harbor, a drumlin field formed by glacial activity, and its historical significance to Native Americans and European colonists. The episode explores the bustling harbor's role in trade, piracy, and the abolitionist movement, leading to a discussion of shipwrecks, particularly the story of the French warship Magnifique and the subsequent treasure hunt. The episode then delves into the folklore surrounding the harbor's islands, including the tale of Mary Burton, a young woman who died on Long Island after being injured by a cannonball during the Revolutionary War, and the haunting presence of a ghostly figure in a red cloak. The episode also explores the history of Castle Island and Fort Independence, where a macabre story of a soldier bricked up alive inside a wall is recounted, potentially inspiring Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado." The episode then examines the legend of Boston Light, a lighthouse on Little Brewster Island, and the tragic drowning of its first keeper, George Worthy Lake, and his family. The episode concludes with a discussion of Nix's Mate, a marker on a former island called Gallops Island, and the various legends surrounding its name, including a pirate's buried treasure and a cursed first mate. The episode leaves listeners with a sense of wonder and intrigue, questioning the truth behind these captivating tales and the enduring power of folklore.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction: The Great Wall of China and Boundaries

This Chapter begins by discussing the Great Wall of China and the myth that it is visible from space. It then explores the concept of boundaries and the allure of the unknown, setting the stage for the exploration of Boston Harbor's folklore.

00:02:20

Boston Harbor: A History of Islands and Folklore

This Chapter delves into the history of Boston Harbor, highlighting its formation as a drumlin field and its significance to Native Americans and European colonists. It explores the harbor's role in trade, piracy, and the abolitionist movement, leading to a discussion of shipwrecks and the legends surrounding them.

00:07:50

Ghostly Tales of Long Island and Castle Island

This Chapter focuses on the folklore surrounding two specific islands in Boston Harbor: Long Island, where the ghost of a young woman in a red cloak is said to haunt the island, and Castle Island, home to Fort Independence, where a macabre story of a soldier bricked up alive inside a wall is recounted.

00:12:32

The Legend of Boston Light and Nix's Mate

This Chapter explores the legend of Boston Light, a lighthouse on Little Brewster Island, and the tragic drowning of its first keeper, George Worthy Lake, and his family. It then delves into the story of Nix's Mate, a marker on a former island called Gallops Island, and the various legends surrounding its name, including a pirate's buried treasure and a cursed first mate.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the myth surrounding the Great Wall of China?

  The myth is that the Great Wall of China is visible from space. However, this is not true. While it is a massive structure, it is not large enough to be seen from the International Space Station or other orbiting spacecraft.

• What is a drumlin and how is it related to Boston Harbor?

  A drumlin is a long, oval-shaped hill formed by the movement of glaciers. Boston Harbor is a drumlin field, with many drumlins partially submerged in the water, forming the islands that are present today.

• What is the legend of Mary Burton on Long Island?

  Mary Burton was a young woman who died on Long Island after being injured by a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. Her husband buried her there in an unmarked grave, and ever since, visitors to the island have seen a ghostly figure, often described as a young woman wearing a red cloak.

• What is the story of the soldier bricked up alive inside a wall at Fort Independence?

  The story tells of a soldier named Gustavus Drain who was involved in a duel with another soldier, Lieutenant Robert Massey, on Christmas Day of 1817. Massey was killed, and Drain was punished by being bricked up alive inside a wall in the old prison section of the fort. The episode questions the truth behind this story, as military records show that Drain was promoted and lived for many years after the alleged incident.

• What is the legend of Boston Light?

  Boston Light is a lighthouse located on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor. The legend tells of its first keeper, George Worthy Lake, and his family, who tragically drowned in a boating accident in 1718. Since then, there have been reports of strange occurrences at the lighthouse, including ghostly figures, unexplained noises, and radio interference.

• What are the different legends surrounding Nix's Mate?

  Nix's Mate is a marker located on a former island called Gallops Island in Boston Harbor. The marker is named after a pirate captain, Captain Nix, and there are various legends surrounding its name. One legend tells of Nix burying treasure on the island and killing his first mate to keep the secret. Another legend tells of Nix being murdered by his first mate, who was then hanged on the island and cursed it to sink into the sea. The episode explores the different versions of the legend and the enduring power of folklore.

Show Notes