Send us a text, tell us your canadian creepy! On the morning of October 7, 1853, something strange disturbed the quiet streets of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The bell of the Kirk of St. James began ringing, despite there being no service scheduled and seemingly no one there to ring it. According to local legend, a sea captain and the church keeper spotted four mysterious women near the church, including one looking down from the belfry. But when they went to investigate, the women had vanished. The only thing left was the bell, still vibrating. Later that same day, the mail steamer Fairy Queen departed Charlottetown bound for Pictou, Nova Scotia. That night, the ship was wrecked in stormy waters, claiming seven lives, including four women, three of whom belonged to the Kirk's congregation. Was the mysterious ringing a supernatural warning of the tragedy to come? In Maritime folklore, these eerie warnings are sometimes known as forerunners, unexplained signs believed to predict an approaching death. The story became such an enduring part of Canadian ghost lore that Canada Post featured the Phantom Bell Ringers in its 2016 Haunted Canada stamp collection. In this episode of Down the Crooked Path, Amanda explores the haunting legend, the historical tragedy behind it, and the possibility that some warnings arrive long before we understand what they mean. This episode also marks our last Canadian Down the Crooked Path for a little while as Amanda takes a well-deserved break! But the journey is far from over. Starting next week, we're taking Down the Crooked Path international, exploring strange stories, haunted histories, and unexplained mysteries from beyond Canada's borders. Because the world is full of creepy stories, and we've got plenty of crooked paths left to explore. 🌱 PayYourRent.ca is an Indigenous-led grassroots initiative encouraging settlers to support Indigenous sovereignty, land defenders, and community well-being through ongoing financial contributions. Put reconciliation into action. Visit PayYourRent.ca and commit to a monthly contribution supporting Indigenous communities, land defenders, and cultural revitalization. Justice isn’t a moment, it’s a commitment. Your next creepy obsession starts here. ✨ This episode is brought to you by Fable & Frame Creative ✨ Fable & Frame Creative offers Niagara Region portraits and at-home newborn sessions, capturing not just how life looks but how it feels. Because your life isn’t ordinary. It’s a fable, and it deserves to be framed like one. Thorain Art & Illustration creates darkly whimsical art inspired by vintage Halloween, forgotten fairytales, and strange woodland magic. Find stickers, prints, magnets, keychains, and more on Etsy or at @thorain.draws, and save 10% with code CANADIANCREEPIES. Manet Macrame & Fibre Arts, created by our researcher Christine, makes spooky handmade macrame, pixel art, epoxy pieces, and Canadian Creepies-inspired books. Save 10% with code CANADIANCREEPIES. Discover the whimsical world of Yazmin City Arts! This Quebec-based artist creates magical illustrations, charming characters, and fantastical artwork. Explore her creations on her website or shop her Fourthwall store! Follow @yazmincityarts on Instagram and use code CREEPIES10 for 10% off your order while supporting an independent Canadian artist! 🕯️ You can find new episodes of Down the Crooked Path every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. Canadian content airs right here on the Canadian Creepies feed, so stay tuned, and stay on the path. Edited by Kyle McDonnell
