Ourang Medan

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ourang-medan

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Ourang Medan?Straits of Malacca; Marshall Islands; Solomon Islands
2. Who discovered Ourang Medan?Deceased, with eyes open and faces exhibiting expressions of extreme terror
3. What is the reported period of occurrence?Circa 1940s
4. What is the reported cause of sinking?Fire originating in the cargo hold, leading to abandonment and subsequent submersion
5. What happened to the crew of the SS Ourang Medan?The crew, including the captain, were found dead with their arms outstretched and faces looking very scared. Their bodies were in strange positions that made the scene look very frightening.
6. Why is the Ourang Medan called a ghost ship?Because the ship was found empty and the crew were dead, and there was no clear evidence of what happened. The ship also sank after a fire, leaving no records.

Maritime Folklore: Stories, legends, and traditions passed down through generations concerning the sea and seafaring.
Urban Legend: A modern myth or story, often sensational or frightening, that is widely believed to be true.
Unsubstantiated Account: A report or story that lacks concrete evidence or official verification.