Jonah

A member of the crew, or one of the passengers, who is accredited with bringing ill fortune to the vessel in the way of accidents, head gales, calms, etc. Parsons and women are considered the most perfect specimens of this order, and the superstitious Jack Tar of olden days deemed it a particularly unfortunate omen if he was obliged to sail in such dangerous company. The idea entertained was, that, as the Evil One was continually following up parsons and women in order to tempt them, his spirit presence could not fail to be attended with all kinds of misfortune for the vessel.