The
Lake:
Lake:
Ronkonkoma is the longest and
deepest lake on Long Island, New York. At the deepest it stretches to a
staggering 70 feet. An attraction for family, friends, teens and kids, near and
far, as a place of relaxation, fun and cooling off. During the winter, she is a
source of entertainment for ice skaters and sledders, and the most scenic spot
for the picnics when the trees turn from green to orange. But with such possibility
of happiness, most don’t come to worry about her dark past.
deepest lake on Long Island, New York. At the deepest it stretches to a
staggering 70 feet. An attraction for family, friends, teens and kids, near and
far, as a place of relaxation, fun and cooling off. During the winter, she is a
source of entertainment for ice skaters and sledders, and the most scenic spot
for the picnics when the trees turn from green to orange. But with such possibility
of happiness, most don’t come to worry about her dark past.
Since 1877-1977 there has been
rumored of 147 drownings, and since 1963, another 32 were lost to the drowning
as well.
rumored of 147 drownings, and since 1963, another 32 were lost to the drowning
as well.
The
Legend:
Legend:
Locals believe that these
mysterious drowning, are the cause of an angered spirit, a Native American
Princess, named Ronkonkoma. Here are just some of the variations of the
legends:
mysterious drowning, are the cause of an angered spirit, a Native American
Princess, named Ronkonkoma. Here are just some of the variations of the
legends:
There was a native Princess
named Ronkonkoma, who was walking across the ice one winter when she met and
fell in love with an English woodcutter named Hugh Birdsall. Her father – chief
of the Setauket Tribe – forbade their relationship. So, every day for 7 years,
she would write letters on pieces of bark, row to the middle of the lake and
float the letters across to Hugh. One day, after all those years of being kept
apart from her love, she rowed to the middle of the lake and stabbed herself to
death.
named Ronkonkoma, who was walking across the ice one winter when she met and
fell in love with an English woodcutter named Hugh Birdsall. Her father – chief
of the Setauket Tribe – forbade their relationship. So, every day for 7 years,
she would write letters on pieces of bark, row to the middle of the lake and
float the letters across to Hugh. One day, after all those years of being kept
apart from her love, she rowed to the middle of the lake and stabbed herself to
death.
The
Others:
Others:
In one version of the legend the
Princess name was really “Tuscawanta” and that she drowned after learning about
her lover’s death, and that her body washed up in Connecticut.
Princess name was really “Tuscawanta” and that she drowned after learning about
her lover’s death, and that her body washed up in Connecticut.
Another was that she fell in
love with a prince.
love with a prince.
In the pamphlet, “Nesaquake
Tales,” written by a Huntington historian, Rufus B. Langhans, tells the story
of an Indian maiden who was sacrificed to appease the Great Spirit, Manitou.
Tales,” written by a Huntington historian, Rufus B. Langhans, tells the story
of an Indian maiden who was sacrificed to appease the Great Spirit, Manitou.
In “Heather Flower and Other
Indian Stories of Long Island.” By Verne Dyson, contains: “The Troubled Spirit
of the Lake.” In this version, a broken- hearted Indian princess tied weights
to her ankles and rowed out to the middle of the lake, slipped over the side
and was never seen again. Remorseful, her lover dived into the lake and
searched for her body, but failed. This is another story that said her body was
found floating in a Connecticut river some weeks later. Her grieving parents
brought her back to Long Island where she was buried with honors at Montauk
Point. But, the Natives believe that her spirit haunts the lake and has caused
whirlpools, waves, moaning sounds and other mysterious events.
Indian Stories of Long Island.” By Verne Dyson, contains: “The Troubled Spirit
of the Lake.” In this version, a broken- hearted Indian princess tied weights
to her ankles and rowed out to the middle of the lake, slipped over the side
and was never seen again. Remorseful, her lover dived into the lake and
searched for her body, but failed. This is another story that said her body was
found floating in a Connecticut river some weeks later. Her grieving parents
brought her back to Long Island where she was buried with honors at Montauk
Point. But, the Natives believe that her spirit haunts the lake and has caused
whirlpools, waves, moaning sounds and other mysterious events.
One tale that is different from
all the rest is of a young Native Chief, who fell in love with a pretty maiden
who failed to requite his love. Heartbroken, he paddled out to the middle of
the lake, dove deep, and never surfaced. The chief’s body was found in the
Great South Bay.
all the rest is of a young Native Chief, who fell in love with a pretty maiden
who failed to requite his love. Heartbroken, he paddled out to the middle of
the lake, dove deep, and never surfaced. The chief’s body was found in the
Great South Bay.
Real
or not:
or not:
Whether the legend or legends
are true, there is no proof of this princess, however, Hugh Birdsall was a real
person who eventually moved back to England and got married.
are true, there is no proof of this princess, however, Hugh Birdsall was a real
person who eventually moved back to England and got married.
One thing for sure, most of
these legends revolve around a Romeo and Juliet setting, filled with love and
tragedy, but without both members receiving the same ending for the exception
of one legend. However, real people – men mostly – have been lost to the lake.
these legends revolve around a Romeo and Juliet setting, filled with love and
tragedy, but without both members receiving the same ending for the exception
of one legend. However, real people – men mostly – have been lost to the lake.
Victims:
·
July
4, 1965 (4:30-4:35) A seizure victim drowns
in lake.
July
4, 1965 (4:30-4:35) A seizure victim drowns
in lake.
·
Juan
M. Lopez (17) Brooklyn teen, who didn’t know how to swim, drowns.
Juan
M. Lopez (17) Brooklyn teen, who didn’t know how to swim, drowns.
·
July
6, (noon) John Cherkas (26) drowns while
swimming with friends.
July
6, (noon) John Cherkas (26) drowns while
swimming with friends.
·
July
3, Frank Camone (9) drowns while swimming with a group of neighborhood
children.
July
3, Frank Camone (9) drowns while swimming with a group of neighborhood
children.
·
August
14, 2014 Kevin Conley (40) A kayaker who goes missing at 3 P.M. Body was found
on August 23, 2014 on the eastern shore. Witnesses claim that Conley was in the
water calling for help. Before he disappeared into the lake, they said his life
vast was off.
August
14, 2014 Kevin Conley (40) A kayaker who goes missing at 3 P.M. Body was found
on August 23, 2014 on the eastern shore. Witnesses claim that Conley was in the
water calling for help. Before he disappeared into the lake, they said his life
vast was off.
These
are the only victims I could find – I’m sure there are more and going onto
forums in search for them I did see names but I didn’t want to put them on the
list without more evidence like names, dates etc. Two of the five that I’ve
listed I’m sure of has happened that is the seizure victim and Kevin Conley,
the 2014 Kayaker.
are the only victims I could find – I’m sure there are more and going onto
forums in search for them I did see names but I didn’t want to put them on the
list without more evidence like names, dates etc. Two of the five that I’ve
listed I’m sure of has happened that is the seizure victim and Kevin Conley,
the 2014 Kayaker.
Whether it is an act of vengeance or in search
of a soul mate in the afterlife, the drowning does happen and have been
numerous and because of this, Ronkonkoma’s legend lives on.
However, due to pollution, the
once peaceful family fun lake and grave too many, has been disrupted. Please
remember to be respectful in the comments for the dead. For information or to
see where I’ve received my information – I have the websites linked in the
description below.
once peaceful family fun lake and grave too many, has been disrupted. Please
remember to be respectful in the comments for the dead. For information or to
see where I’ve received my information – I have the websites linked in the
description below.
Now tell me, do you believe in
the curse?
the curse?
Music by:
Myuuji - Disintegrating (Music Box Ver.)
Pictures:
Video:
Information:
Weird New York: https://goo.gl/p8xTkm
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