A tale by famed Alabama folklore storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham is now featured on the YouTube channel for Alabama Public Television.Â
The episode centers on a story by Tucker about the supposed ghost ship of the Eliza Battle. The steamboat sank in 1858 after catching fire on the Tombigbee River, taking an estimated 33 lives with it.Â
"Darkness closed in behind that boat," says Tucker in the recording of an opening narration. "All you could hear was screams for help... and occasionally a splash... as someone fell from one of the trees into the river and drowned."Â
The incident was retold as "The Phantom Steamboat of the Tombigbee" in Tucker's folklore anthology, "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey".Â
Tucker was a native of Selma. She died in 2011 at the age of 93.Â
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Very cold temperatures as low as 8 above.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
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