''Davy Jones''

By Crusader1307

In all deference to Disney's "Pirates of The Caribbean", Davy Jones was not a cursed Sailor who had a Octopus face and a Crab-like body. The true story of Davy Jones, is not so easily told. It is unclear just as to when the myth started. The traditional story developed around 1726 by British Seamen. In full, "Davy Jones Locker" was where drowned Sailor's at Sea went (under safe keeping inside a Caretaker Spirit called Davy Jones). In parlance of the day, A "Locker" was a storage chest for one's personal possessions. Jones task was to keep the souls safe until Judgement Day. Davy was portrayed sometimes as a "Black Spirit", who sometimes was responsible for the sinking of ships. Later on in the 18th Century, Davy was made more benevolent. His realm in the Deep was akin to a form of Purgatory. Historical evidence points to two actual "Davy Jones". The first was a Minor Pirate who raided on The Indian Ocean in the 1630s. His fate is unknown and very little was written on his exploits. The second was a "tricky" Inn Keeper in 1594. Preying on drunk Sailors, this Jones was known to knock out his victims and tie them up, storing them in his cellar (perhaps even a walk-in locker). Later, He would "sell" them to a Press Gang for forced service on board a ship. The Welsh have a similar tale regarding a Guardian Saint (David) who protects Sailor's at sea. To this day, Davy Jones is an integral part of many Naval traditions and customs.