I appreciate that folk lore is not dead and that modern beliefs will in future years be treated in the same way as we view the writings of Waldron of 18th C Manx beliefs, but must admit from my some 20 years of connection I hadn't heard this - the book I referred to in the original thread was widely discussed in the local press and I don't recall any such mention of such a belief. I can understand the attitude at the time - don't discuss shipwrecks especially of IoMSPCo boats as the tourist industry was then essential to the Island much the same way as talk of tax havens is viewed as not quite helpful to today's major Island industry. Maybe you have some evidence to bear out the statement ?