Mermaids of Staithes

This is a true folklore story and historical event. There was once a fishing town by the coast in Yorkshire. The town was thriving and pretty, set in the middle of Whitby and Saltburn. The name of the town was Staithes, and was much admired and visited because of its fishing, the modest harbour and gorgeous little castles. Nearby was a village by the name of Seaton. 

A rough storm occurred one night and two beautiful mermaids were caught in the tides. These two mermaids were tired and could no longer swim home as the waves dragged them to shore. The mermaids found themselves on a beach with a view of buildings at Cowbar Nab. 

Soon the villagers found the exhausted sleeping mermaids. The mermaids were described as beautiful with doe eyes and long golden hair, with heads and torsos of women, but the tails of scaly fish. The mermaids were kept in the village as prisoners, for selfish reasons mainly. They were cruelly treated by the villagers and people used to throw stones at them. 

Four months passed, the mermaids managed to escape during a party that distracted villagers. Soon the villagers realised the mermaids got away and they ran for them. The mermaids looked back at the villagers and then uttered: "The sea shall flow to Jackdaws' Well". After cursing the town, the mermaids plunged into the sea and never returned again. 

The mermaids words didn't make sense to the people but soon the meaning became clear that it was a curse. Years later, the town itself began eroding away and all the houses fell into the sea. Much of the town has crumbled away and battered by severe storms, claiming the lives of many of the villagers. Most significant of all is about Jackdaws' Well. This well was located further inland and provided fresh water to the village, but also fell into the sea! 

Today the town of Staithes is a picturesque tourist attraction but is a fragment of the size it was once. There's still erosion happening and many places lost to the sea. Staithes is cursed. Never upset a mermaid.  

She Wolf Night