flying dutchman/Cyclops

[runningdeer]

Hi all.

I recently became aware of the ghost ships in SH4. I'm speaking of the flying Dutchman and the USS Cyclops ships. After googling, I've seen screen shots and/or youtube video of them. I realize that there are some posts as well, but I wanted to begin a new one since the info I've found was a bit scattered.

Although I am involved in a career currently. I would like to begin a search for these ships, on the side. Or any other easter eggs that might be in the game.

From what I have gathered...I should be searching in the Luzon Strait area around the years '44-'45. A ship appearing on the map as friendly blue icon, saying "what is this?". These are the only things I have to go on to begin my search.

One of the things I love about SH4 is using the exterior camera to snap unique screenshots or to explore the environment. I really want to find these ships so that I can capture them by screenshot or video.

Could anyone out there offer some advise for finding these ships?

Thanx all, for your time.

[PaulH513]

The quickest way is to make a map using the mission editor and than just plug in the ships you would like to take a snap shot of. If you do not know how to use the mission editor go here WWW.COMSUBSPAC.COM .

[runningdeer]

Ok...I've never used the mission editor before. But registered at the site you gave me, for instruction on using it.

I did go into the editor...and found the 'whats this?' ship. I found it listed under the Netherlands ships. Pretty cool. So I'll figure out how to create a mission and go find it.

Thank you .

P.S. could not locate the USS Cyclops. Although I did see a youtube video of it.

(UPDATE) Well, I went to get the youtube link of the Cyclops...it may just be in SH3?

[andy_311]

The ghost ship does appear around Luzon and it does not have to be in 44-45 it's random you can see it sometimes in 42 43 as well ,catching up with it id forget about that it's faster than you and when you do find it and look on the map it's allied (stock).andfor sinking her never got close enough to fire on her i think she does around 34knts.

heres the cfg info on it:


[Unit]
ClassName=Frigate
3DModelFileName=data/Sea/NFD/NFD
UnitType=11
MaxSpeed=25
Length=20
Width=4.5
Mast=11.5
Draft=2.5
Displacement=1500
DisplacementVariation=0
RenownAwarded=1000


and if you want to see it you will have to find it in the game because there are no images of it you can look at in the game files and it is not in the mission editor so you cant put it somewhere to see it.

it is a true easter egg, happy hunting

[DarkFish]

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

and if you want to see it you will have to find it in the game because there are no images of it you can look at in the game files and it is not in the mission editor so you cant put it somewhere to see it.

it is a true easter egg, happy hunting

it is in the mission editor. look under 'Netherlands', you'll find a 'What is this?' entry.
But it is much more fun searching for it. I've been assigned a patrol once just a few miles from the FD's spawn location, so every night at around 1 AM the flying dutchman ('vliegende hollander' in dutch) passed me at a distance of 2 nm
The patrol was in the upper half of the luzon strait, can't remember the date.

[runningdeer]

Originally Posted by DarkFish

it is in the mission editor. look under 'Netherlands', you'll find a 'What is this?' entry.
But it is much more fun searching for it. I've been assigned a patrol once just a few miles from the FD's spawn location, so every night at around 1 AM the flying dutchman ('vliegende hollander' in dutch) passed me at a distance of 2 nm
The patrol was in the upper half of the luzon strait, can't remember the date.

I assumed Webster was referring to the Cyclops? Because I did locate the Flying Dutchman under the Netherlands roster, in the mission editor. And I assume he already knew that.

Anyways...hunting for it sounds like more fun. I'll try searching in the area you experienced it DarkFish and focus on 1am.

Thanx to all for any tips on finding the Flying Dutchman, or the USS Cyclops.

If I'm successful in finding it then I will record all info on when, where, etc. and hopefully snap a few exceptional screenies.

It's Friday, April 17...I've made a pot of coffee and my search begins .

[runningdeer]

Found it...the "Flying Dutchman"

Really neat. It took about 1hr & 3 cups of coffee, after your reports on it's location, etc. Although I did find it in the Luzon Straits area, I suspect that the time of day and date are indeed random since I actually found it in the daytime and earlier in the war than others. Maybe it found me? .

I had recently finished a patrol in the south China sea. Then went to Luzon Straits from there to hunt for it.

I took some terrific screenshots, from different angles and perspectives. The ghostly crew members look cool. Awesome ship.

I need to select a few screenshots, gather all the information, make a map and probably create a new post. Since it will be a bit of a spoiler I suppose, for some.

I'm also going to follow it with my exterior camera, to see where it goes, lol...very cool.

P.S. I have a saved game from the moment it appears. If there is particular information or whatever that I should be recording other than time, date and a location. I am in a good place to get it.

The USS Cyclops is only in SH3 at this time.

Well,
It is in my SH4 right now.
Just not a released version at this time.

[runningdeer]

Thanx privateer.

By the way...are there any other easter eggs in SH4 besides these 2 ghost ships?

Originally Posted by runningdeer

Thanx privateer.

By the way...are there any other easter eggs in SH4 besides these 2 ghost ships?

women and women with babies on fishing boats i guess you could call a surprise but i dont know if you consider that and easter egg.

ubisoft put a few more easter eggs in there but its not a surprise if we tell you about them

[runningdeer]

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

women and women with babies on fishing boats i guess you could call a surprise but i dont know if you consider that and easter egg.

ubisoft put a few more easter eggs in there but its not a surprise if we tell you about them

True that. Now that I am aware of these easter eggs, I'll pay more attention and keep an eye out for other things. The Flying Dutchman has women aboard too. I have a close up screenshot of them.

I'm going to post my screenshots and a short video of my experience, shortly.

[runningdeer]

The Flying Dutchman, according to folklore, is a ghost ship that can never go home, doomed to sail the oceans forever. The Flying Dutchman is usually spotted from afar, its crew will try to send messages to land or to people long dead. In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship is a portent of doom.



I followed tips from some of you that experienced this ghost ship. While things like date and time seem to be random, its location in the Luzon Straits seems consistent. I recorded though the date, time and location where I experienced it, myself. Maybe it will help you, if you are in search of it. Below are some screenshots I took, and a link to my short video:





Here's a video of it, looks best in HD:

Hope I don't spoil anything for anybody.
I suppose I should get back to my career.

[Sniper31]

Very cool...thanks for those pics!