The Lost Ship by Suspense

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Horror! – "The Lost Ship" by Suspense

Podcast: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com
Episode: The Lost Ship (by Suspense, aired August 26, 1962)
Date Released: November 1, 2025

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Main Theme

This episode of The Horror! delves into a classic "Suspense" radio play titled "The Lost Ship." The story weaves together crime, greed, and supernatural legend as a couple on the run stumble upon a desert recluse and a tantalizing myth about a Spanish galleon lost in the sands. The episode features themes of desperation, the lure of treasure, and the dangers both mortal and mystical lurking in the unknown.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene (00:02 – 01:27)

• The host introduces the episode, sharing the background of the "Suspense" series and hints at an otherworldly tale.

2. On the Run (00:51 – 02:27)

• Harry and his wife Viola flee what seems to be a crime, fearing sirens and the police.
• Their car breaks down in the desert; they are forced to continue on foot, carrying only a small bag containing $50,000.
• Harry rationalizes their actions, reflecting discontent with their previous, impoverished lives:

  "There's 50,000 arguments in this little bag to prove we're not crazy." – Harry (03:13)

3. Meeting Pete, the Desert Hermit (04:13 – 07:07)

• The couple finds refuge with Pete Townley, a gruff but welcoming loner.
• Pete invites them in, offers beans, and shares insights into his isolated existence.

  "Yep. I live here all by my lonesome. Going on 20 years, I reckon." – Pete (05:15)

• He relays his years spent prospecting and his comfort with solitude.

4. The Legend of the Lost Ship (07:43 – 09:18)

• Pete shares a local legend of a Spanish galleon stranded in the desert, purportedly filled with treasure:

  "Sometimes when the wind blows up just right, it blows away a lot of the sand. And you can see the upper deck of that old ship from the top of that hill just over there. According to the legend... the hold of that ship is jam full of treasures." – Pete (08:00–09:18)

• Pete hints he has personal proof of the legend’s truth.

5. Discovery of the Spanish Doubloons (09:46 – 10:45)

• Viola uncovers gold coins with Spanish markings in Pete's cabin.
• Harry identifies them:

  "They're Spanish doubloons... Where would Pete get them?" – Harry (10:15)

• Pete explains they came from a dying prospector who claimed to have found the ship.

6. Temptation and the Desert Quest (13:06 – 15:08)

• With the sandstorm approaching, Harry and Viola ascend a hill and, using field glasses, spot the long-rumored ship half-buried in sand:

  "Harry, I see a broken mast and a part of a hull buried in the sand. The old man was right." – Viola (12:50)

• Harry is consumed by greed, undeterred by Viola’s and Pete's warnings. He commandeers Pete's jeep and heads into the desert despite the threats:

  "I can't get up enough energy to drive a few minutes into the desert to make a fortune." – Harry (14:09)

• Pete’s chilling caution:

  "I've seen what the desert does to people who know it, son. A tenderfoot like you ain't got a chance." – Pete (14:48)

7. Descent into Greed and Doom Inside the Ship (15:08 – 22:56)

• Harry reaches the ship, finds the hatch, and descends inside.
• He stumbles across a skull, calls it "Yorick," and finds a treasure chest overflowing with gold and jewels.

  "Gold, jewels. Diamonds. A chestfull. I found it. I found it... We can be rich." – Harry (20:54–21:18)

• As Harry prepares to leave, a sandstorm seals the hatch. He struggles frantically but is trapped, buried alive as the sand piles on, the ship once again claimed by the desert.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Regret and Greed

  "Once we get to Mexico, we'll stop running." – Harry (03:19)
  "How can you compare $50,000 to what could be in that ship?... My God, Viola, we can be rich." – Harry (14:26)

• On Isolation and Dreams

  "Most folks dream about a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Well, I got that too, waiting for me over in the hills." – Pete (07:36)

• The Uncanny Ship

  "A ship in the desert? That's impossible." – Harry (08:08)
  "This fairy tale is true." – Pete (09:24)

• Final Irony

  "It'll blow the sand on the deck. It'll cover the hatch. Pile it up. Tons and tons of sand. I've got to get the hatch open. Now." – Harry (22:38)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:51: Story begins – Harry and Viola on the run
• 04:13: Arrival at Pete Townley's cabin
• 07:43: Pete shares the legend of the Lost Ship
• 09:46: Discovery of real Spanish coins
• 12:50: Harry and Viola see the ship
• 15:08: Harry heads out to the desert alone
• 17:46–22:38: Harry’s exploration and final entrapment in the ship

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains the ominous, suspenseful tenor typical of classic old time radio, blending the mundane anxieties of fugitives with the unnatural chill of a ghostly legend. Dialogue is terse, earthy, and direct, with moments of wry humor and mounting dread.

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Takeaway

The Lost Ship artfully balances crime thriller and eerie legend. It’s a tale of hubris, the fatal pull of greed, and the dangers of dismissing both folk wisdom and nature’s power. As Harry’s desperation mounts, listeners are left with a cautionary tale: some treasures are best left undisturbed beneath the sands of time.

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome back to the Horror. Halloween might be over, but the horror stories continue this Saturday as they have every Saturday since 2007. Thanks for joining me. This week we're going to hear from suspense series that aired from 1942 to 1962 over CBS Radio stations. Our story today is from the final year, August 26, 1962. It's titled the Lost Ship.

[B]

And now a tale well calculated to.

[C]

Keep you in suspense in a moment.

[B]

Act one of the Lost Ship, written especially for suspense by Irwin Lewis.

[D]

It's a sharp curve ahead. Harry, be careful.

[C]

Don't worry. I see was a close one.

[D]

Harry, you hear something?

[B]

What?

[D]

Sounds like a siren. Harry. It does sound like a siren, doesn't it?

[C]

Shut up. Let me listen. I think you're right.

[D]

Maybe it's the police.

[C]

Could it be we lost some hours ago?

[D]

I don't know, but it's getting older.

[C]

Can't take any chances. We better get off this main road fast. Yeah. That looks like a cut off.

[D]

Oh, but it leads straight across the desert. It isn't much of a road.

[C]

Time to be choosy. Hang on.

[D]

I can't take much more of this.

[C]

Wait.

[B]

We can't cut back.

[C]

Those police might be patrolling the highway. We'll wait until dark.

[D]

Can't you slow down? I'm getting shit.

[C]

It's just a little longer, honey. I want to put as much distance between us and the highway as possible. What happened? I don't know. I'll take a look.

[D]

What is it?

[B]

Broken spring.

[C]

Oh.

[D]

What do we do now?

[C]

We can't stay here. Grab the bag and let's go.

[D]

Whatever.

[C]

We're on a road of some sort. It's got to lead someplace. Let's try those hills.

[D]

What about the suitcase?

[C]

Leave it in the car. This little bag is all the luggage we need.

[D]

A lot of good it'll do us out here.

[C]

Where there's a road, there's bound to be a house of people. What's in this bag talks any language. Come on, let's go. Chance to walk any place.

[D]

I'm trying, Harry, but these frogs are killing me.

[C]

Oh, I try to rest a minute.

[B]

All right.

[C]

Here, sit on my jacket.

[D]

Get it all dirty.

[C]

So what? We'll buy a thousand jackets once we hit the border. Sit down.

[D]

What a relief. What's so hot? What's that?

[C]

That sounds like a coyote. Don't worry about it.

[D]

Oh, Harry, I'm scared.

[C]

Don't go hysterical.

[D]

Well, aren't you frightened even the little.

[C]

Sure I am, down in my shoes.

[D]

We must have been crazy?

[C]

There's 50,000 arguments in this little bag to prove we're not crazy.

[D]

We'll spend the rest of our lives running.

[C]

Once we get to Mexico, we'll stop running.

[D]

But we're leaving our home, our friends, everything and everybody we know.

[C]

Is it worth it? What are we giving up? A sinking two room flat with peeling paint and crawling roaches this big? You won't miss that for a minute. You think I enjoyed standing in that teller's cage handing out money all day long to little people who had no more right to it than I did?

[D]

They weren't stealing.

[C]

Don't go moral on me. Listen, I'm past 40. A man gets to that age, he gets tired wanting things and not being able to afford him. Hey, did he not smoke up there?

[D]

Where?

[C]

Over to the right between those two hills. Sure it is. That's chimney smoke. I'll bet there's a house up there. Come on, Viola.

[B]

Well, hi, folks. Kind off the tourist trail, ain't you? We.

[C]

We were wondering.

[B]

No sense wandering outside. Come in, come in. Make yourselves comfortable. Yeah. Car broke down, huh?

[C]

Why do you say that?

[B]

Well, nobody'd walk here if they could ride. And take a look at your shoes, lady. I'll bet your feet are full of blisters.

[D]

You're so right.

[B]

Well, take off your shoes and set down by the fire. I'll poke it up. Starting to get nippy now the sun's going down.

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

I was fixing myself some supper. Pork and beans. Be mighty proud if you'll join me.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Mr. Townley. Pete Townley.

[C]

I'm Harry Turner and this is Mrs. Turner.

[B]

I'm pleased to meet you. I'll open another can of beans. It ain't much, but it's filling.

[D]

You live here all alone, Mr. Townley?

[B]

Pete, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[B]

No sense being formal.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Yep. I live here all by my lonesome. Going on 20 years, I reckon.

[D]

20 years.

[C]

You ever have visitors?

[B]

Oh, once in a while. Expect a neighbor of mine, let's see now, day after tomorrow.

[C]

Neighbor?

[B]

Yeah. Sam Higgins. Lives about 40 miles from here. Drops in regular twice a year.

[C]

What do you do about supplies? Food and things?

[B]

Well, I got a jeep in the back. I use it to go to town once a month for supplies. A jeep? Yeah, yeah. Guess you didn't see it coming up here. I'll drive into town first thing in the morning. Get Bill Jenkins from the garage to come out and fix up your car.

[C]

Can't you go right now?

[B]

By the time I got back, it'd be pitch Dark? No, no. Better wait till tomorrow. Well, let's see if the beans is.

[C]

Oh, sh.

[B]

They sure are. I hope you don't mind tin plates.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, let's dig in. Hey, you know, I think those beans are pretty good. Either of you folks care for any more?

[C]

No. No, thank you.

[D]

No, thank you, Pete. Here, I'll give you a hand with the dishes.

[B]

Oh, don't bother, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[B]

Won't take more than a minute.

[C]

I'd like to get that jeep and take off right now. Oh, we couldn't do that.

[D]

He's a nice old man.

[C]

I don't like spending the whole night here.

[D]

It's safe enough.

[B]

Let me know when you folks is ready to hit the hay. I'll bunk down in the shed and back.

[C]

Oh, no.

[D]

We wouldn't think of putting you to such trouble.

[B]

Oh, don't worry about it, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[B]

I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Besides, that bed ain't much softer than the floor.

[D]

Pete, don't you ever get lonely living here by yourself?

[B]

No. No, I like it like this. Just me and the hills. I spent nearly 30 years prospecting for gold. Didn't find much, but enough so's I can buy a little food and a few other things they need every now and then. So why look for more? Now, most folks dream about a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Well, I got that too, waiting for me over in the hills. In the desert out there.

[C]

I guess that's what you call a great beyond, huh?

[B]

Oh, shucks. No, I don't mean when I'm dead. I'm talking about a real pot of gold. Bigger than anything you ever seen or dreamed of, probably in the desert.

[D]

I don't understand. What is in the desert?

[B]

A ship, ma'. Am. A great Spanish galleon. And it rides the sand dunes of the desert like it was sailing the seas again.

[C]

A ship in the desert? That's impossible.

[B]

I'll tell you how it was, son. There's a legend that hundreds of years ago, a Spanish ship come sailing up the gulf. Gulf of California, having come from Mexico or Peru or one of them other South American places. And as it was sailing up right close to shore, a huge storm come along, followed by a tremendous tidal wave which swept it clean onto the desert. Must have been the granddaddy of all waves, I reckon. Well, after many years, the waters went back, leaving the ship high and dry, miles from the gulf or the river that feeds into it. In a couple of hundred years, the shifting sands have buried it, of course. But sometimes when the wind blows up just right. It blows away a lot of the sand. And you can see the upper deck of that old ship from the top of that hill just over there. According to the legend, too, the hold of that ship is just jam full of treasures.

[D]

What a lovely story.

[C]

A pretty fairy tale for children and old men.

[D]

Harry, that's not a nice thing to do.

[B]

That's all right, ma'. Am. Course he's right. But it is a pretty fairy tale. Just so happens this fairy tale is true.

[D]

Sorry, I've got to talk to you.

[C]

What? What is it, Viol?

[D]

I want to show you something.

[C]

Now what? What are you so excited about?

[D]

I was scraping out things in the cabin after you left. I found these coins. Yes, but what kind? Gold coins. And look at the words on them. On the Oro. That sounds Spanish, doesn't it? Look how old they are.

[C]

I see there's a day on this one. 1542.

[D]

What kind of coins are they, Harry?

[C]

Seen some like them at an exhibit. Their Spanish doubloons. Where would Pete get them?

[D]

Don't you remember his story last night.

[C]

With the Spanish galleon?

[B]

Don't be ridiculous.

[D]

All right. How do you explain them?

[C]

I can't. No, it's impossible. Pete.

[B]

What's up, son?

[C]

Hi. My wife find these in the cabin. Where do they come from?

[B]

Oh, them things. I reckon they come from the ship.

[C]

What do you mean?

[B]

Well, some years ago, a young fella come staggering in from the desert. He was pretty bad shape. Hadn't had food or water for days, it seemed like. I tried to fix him up, but he was too far gone. But before he died, he moaned something about finding a ship out in the desert. I found them coins in his pocket.

[C]

I don't believe a word you say. It. You're either crazy or the biggest liar I've ever met.

[B]

Son, if you're so all fired skeptical. Why don't you climb that hill and take a look for yourself? The wind seems to be coming up kind of strong. You might be lucky. In fact, I got an old pair of field glasses you can take along. But son, if you do see the ship, for your own sake, don't let it give you any fool ideas.

[D]

Harry. Harry, I can't climb another sword.

[C]

You're almost to the top. Here, grab my hand. There. There. Just a few more.

[B]

Made it.

[D]

Now that we're here. What? I can't see a thing with the wind blowing sand in my face.

[C]

I doubt if there is anything to see. A dotery old man tells us a fairy tale and we buy it. All we'll get for our troubles is our lungs full of desert.

[D]

Why did I let you talk me into climbing up here? Look at my dress.

[C]

Yeah. Might as well head back. Wait a minute. All right, the wind is dying now. Take a look through these glasses. Yeah, I still can't see a blast a thing, but sand and sage brush.

[D]

Did you see something?

[C]

Can't tell for sure. I got a better focus. Viola.

[D]

What is it?

[C]

Harry, I don't believe it. What? Harry, I see a broken mast and a part of a hull buried in the sand. Viola, the old man was right. There is a ship out there in the desert.

[B]

Well, I kind of thought you might see it. Haven't seen it myself in a spell. Figured it was about time for it to show up again.

[D]

It was there, just like you said it would be.

[C]

You've known it there all this time and yet you never went to look for it.

[B]

Well, like I told you, son, what for?

[C]

Because of the gold. All right, you do. You do what you want. I'm going after that ship.

[B]

No, no, that ain't sensible, son.

[C]

Why not? I could see it clearly. It isn't far from here.

[B]

Distances are deceiving in the desert. That ship's a lot further than it looks. And that's mighty rough country out there. It's easy to get lost. And if you run out of water, you're finished. And chances are by the time you got to where you think the ship is, a sandstorm will come up and bury it under tons of sand again. You better forget it.

[C]

Not on your life. Your jeep is equipped with sand tires. It has gas, water, tools. That's all I need.

[B]

Ma', am, I surely think it ain't smart. You ought to try to talk him out of it.

[D]

Harry, maybe it is too dangerous a danger.

[C]

Because, Pete, I can't get up enough energy to drive a few minutes into the desert to make a fortune.

[D]

What about the other man who found the ship and died?

[C]

I don't know anything about him and I don't care. There's gold in that ship.

[B]

I'm going to get it.

[D]

But why? We have enough now. You said so yourself.

[C]

How can you compare 50,000 to what could be in that ship? And the gold's probably only part of it. Those old Spanish galleons used to come home with their hulls buzzing with Inca and Mayan treasures. My God, Viola, we can be rich. We can be rich. We can make a deal with the bank, return the 50,000 and go Scot free.

[D]

But you'd be risking your life.

[C]

It's worth it. I'm taking the jeep. You'll see. I'll be back before night.

[B]

I've seen what the desert does to people who know its son. A tenderfoot like you ain't got a chance.

[C]

Thanks for the advice, Pete, but I'm going.

[D]

Oh, no, Harry, wait.

[C]

Listen to me. Go.

[D]

Pete, stop and please.

[B]

Yeah, you're wise right, son.

[C]

You ain't thinking clear.

[B]

At least wait until you can get a well organized party together.

[C]

I haven't got time now. Get out of my way, Pete.

[B]

I can't let you go alone, Sonia.

[C]

You'll never come back. Of my way. Come on. Come on. Don't get stuck now. It can't be much further. The rear wheels are stuck in the sand. Maybe I can slip something underneath. Oh, that sun is strong. The wheel has dug itself a nice little hole. Well, there's a shovel in the jeep. If I jam it up against the tire, maybe I.

[B]

Here it is.

[C]

Well, if I just. Wait a minute. What's over that ridge? Looks like some sort of structure. Can't be a house. Who could live out here? I better take a look. Pete was right. Right when he said distances were to see me. The top of this ridge looked like it was within a few yards of the jeep. And I seem to be walking forever. The way the heat waves make the air shimmer up. Not even sure where I am. I'm getting to the top. Now let's find out just what I saw. Here comes that wind again. Gotta get the sand out of my eyes. I. That's better. Now it's the hull of a ship. Yes, this is what I saw from the hill. Look at her. Buried in the sand with little more than part of the top deck visible. But it's a ship all right. Look at the carvings on the rail. Wonder if it's safe to walk on. Yeah, it seems solid enough. That is something. Inscribed in the railing. Sant Carlota. Santa Carlota. I found the ship. I found it. Take it easy, Harry. Keep calm. This is only half the bottle. You don't know if the hull is filled with sand or what. Now let's look for a hatch. Find a hatch and open it. It'll lead to the interior. Clear away the sand. Hey, I hit something. I gotta dig the sand away. Gotta find out what I hit.

[B]

Come on out.

[C]

Boy, the sun is beginning to suck. There's not much time left. I was right. It is a hatch. Now to get it open. Wow, it's damp. I can't budge it.

[B]

Wait a minute.

[C]

Pry it open with a shovel. I can feel it. Gimme. It's coming up. Get my hand underneath the edge. That's it. That's it. Now my other hand. Now, if I can just lift it. I got it. I got it. Now just prop it up with a shovel. Oh, it's dark down there. You can't see. Wait a minute.

[B]

Wait a minute.

[C]

Here's the top of a ladder. Wonder if it'll hold me. Made it down here. It's a long way up. Can just barely see the hatch opening. Looks like I'm in some sort of passageway. Can't see much. Now a similar light. It looks like a door. Open it. Furniture table. Looks like charts on the walls. Something over in a corner. Can't make out what it is. Looks white. Seems to glisten a little.

[B]

Wonder what it is.

[C]

It's a skull. Scared the life out of me. What was your name? Was it Yorick? You come riding into this ship when she hit the desert 400 years ago. Take it easy. Take it easy, Harry. Don't lose your nerve now, boy. Wind seems to be getting stronger. Maybe I better go back and get some help. No, no. Not until I find what I came for. Hey, New York, maybe you can tell me where's the treasure, huh? Maybe you were left here to guard it, huh? No talk. All right, let's take a look. Another door, Doc. Come on. Come on, come on. Hey. Here we are, Marcus. Night in here. Well, let's see what Yorick was guarding. Wish I brought a flashlight. This lighter doesn't help much. What. What's this? Looks like some sort of chest. Chest? Chest. Okay. Now to see what's inside. Mother in heaven.

[B]

Can't be real.

[C]

Gold, Jewels. Diamonds. A chestpool. I found it. I found it. Oh, what a magnificent sight. Coins, jewels. Fill my pockets. Cram them in. Come on. Wait, wait, wait. There's a burlap bag in the jeep. I'll get that.

[B]

Oh, Viola.

[C]

Pete, what do you say when I come staring and carrying this magnificent poison? Can't hold anymore. Gotta get back to the jeep. Hold on. Y. Don't be sad. I'll be back. Flame is getting low on the lighter. Well, I won't need it much longer. What was that? The wind is us.

[B]

A lot.

[C]

Where's the ladder to the hatchway? So dark. Oh. Oh, wait. What is this? The shovel. Oh, the wind blew the hatch down. Well, that's all right. I'll just climb up and force it open. Ah, here's a ladder. There's a ladder now here. Here's the hatch. Now let's get it open and get back in the jeep. Seems to be stuck. I think it's giving a little. Have to rest it. Catch my breath. The wind is really getting strong out there. Wind San. Oh my God. It'll blow the sand on the deck. It'll cover the hatch. Pile it up. Tons and tons of sand. I've got to get the hatch open. Now Push harder, Tyree. Push harder. Harder. I can't get it open. I can't get it open. I better get it open. Pull it up. Pull it up, please. Just got open. Suspense.

[B]

You've been listening to the Lost Ship Written especially for suspense by Irwin Lewis. Suspense is produced and directed by Fred Hendrickson. Heard in tonight's story were Matt Cooper, Gene Gillespie and Bill Adams. Music supervision by Ethel Hugh. Sound patterns by Walter Otto. Technical direction by Fred Turner. This is Stuart Met speaking. Listen again next week when we return with another tale well calculated to keep you in.

[C]

Suspense.

[B]

Three times each weekday.

[C]

Share a Woman's World with Betty Pernet.

[B]

On the CBS Radio Network.

[A]

There's more from the horror@ RelicRadio.com alongside all of the other Relic Radio podcasts and our Shout out stream and our donate button. If you'd like to help support this and all of the shows, please consider a donation today. Your support is our only source of funding and has kept us around since 2007. Thanks to those who have helped out over the years. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.