A tattered ‘ghost ship’ washed ashore on Pensacola Beach, Florida, on June 18, leaving local residents baffled. The 45-foot wreckage, identified as the Lady Catherine III, was first spotted by 46-year-old Francine Farrar. The vessel, owned by 39-year-old Michael Barlow, had an extraordinary and tragic journey before its appearance on the beach.
A Dream derailed
Michael Barlow, who had invested a substantial portion of his life savings into the $80,000 sailboat, intended to use it to explore the world. His dream was to live a freer and more fulfilling life with his wife and 9-year-old son. However, his aspirations came to a sudden halt when the boat sank during a daring voyage.
“We were just going to explore the world. We’re normal people. We have normal finances, very, very basic. And this is the only way I could take my son and show him there’s a whole world out there, beyond what’s in America,” Barlow shared with NBC 6 South Florida.
The fateful journey
Barlow and a friend embarked on an 884-mile journey from Fort Pierce, Florida, back to Texas, over a month ago. Prior to this, Barlow had sold his excavation business and most of his possessions to fund this new lifestyle. He meticulously studied weather patterns, reporting to WEAR News that “the forecast was beautiful.”
“We had 15 to 20 knots on our backs all the way home to Texas,” Barlow recalled. However, the conditions took a drastic turn just a week into the voyage. “The seas started building, the wind hit us and it was 30 to 40 knots. It pretty much stayed that way for the next two days,” said Barlow. The boat faced severe storms, with waves crashing and high winds ripping it apart. “When it started getting crazy, I knew the boat could handle it and we just sent it,” he added.
A battle for survival
For three harrowing days, Barlow battled the elements as his ship sustained extensive damage. Using a Garmin tracker, he stayed in contact with his family throughout the ordeal. The situation worsened when the autopilot broke during the first storm, forcing Barlow and his friend to steer manually.
“[My friend] had all the symptoms of hypothermia and he went down below and passed out. He was unconscious throughout all of this,” Barlow recounted. In a desperate move, Barlow hit the SOS button on his Garmin, successfully contacting the Coast Guard in New Orleans. Although he was rescued, he had to abandon Lady Catherine III, leaving behind his shattered dream. The appearance of the ghost ship on Pensacola Beach serves as a poignant reminder of the perilous nature of sea voyages. Michael Barlow’s story is one of ambition, adversity, and survival, highlighting both the risks and the undying spirit of adventure.