How do sailors feel about Ship-Trap Island?

Readers can find the answer to this question early in the story. Sanger Rainsford is talking to Whitney. Readers enter the story in the middle of the conversation, and Whitney is pointing out an island off the starboard side of the boat they are on.

"Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island," said Whitney. "It's rather a mystery—"

Rainsford asks Whitney what the name of the island is and finds out it is called...

Readers can find the answer to this question early in the story. Sanger Rainsford is talking to Whitney. Readers enter the story in the middle of the conversation, and Whitney is pointing out an island off the starboard side of the boat they are on.

"Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island," said Whitney. "It's rather a mystery—"

Rainsford asks Whitney what the name of the island is and finds out it is called "Ship-Trap Island." Additionally, Whitney tells Rainsford that sailors have some superstitious fears of the island.

"The old charts call it Ship-Trap Island,'" Whitney replied. "A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—"

Rainsford will eventually come to find out that the island's name and the sailors' fears are well-founded. The island's owner, General Zaroff, admits to Rainsford that he has a way of intentionally luring in ships toward the island in order to shipwreck sailors for him to hunt. Zaroff is able to light up a fake channel. The ships attempt to navigate the channel, and they are torn to shreds on the rocks.

"But where do you get them?"

The general's left eyelid fluttered down in a wink. "This island is called Ship Trap," he answered. "Sometimes an angry god of the high seas sends them to me. Sometimes, when Providence is not so kind, I help Providence a bit. Come to the window with me."

Rainsford went to the window and looked out toward the sea.

"Watch! Out there!" exclaimed the general, pointing into the night. Rainsford's eyes saw only blackness, and then, as the general pressed a button, far out to sea Rainsford saw the flash of lights.

The general chuckled. "They indicate a channel," he said, "where there's none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easily as I crush this nut."