Thursday, April 19, 2012

Queen Mary Hauntings

This month Minnie is exploring the alphabet by digging out the unusual, often unexplained and alternative way of thinking. Stories of creatures, places and mysteries that have been passed down to us through centuries tease our imagination, live in our dreams and dare us to explore the impossible. Join Minnie each day as she discovers something unusual in the alphabet.

 
"Even Ghosts deserve a vacation!"


The luxury liner and World War II transport ship Queen Mary is one of the most haunted places of modern time in America. Queen Mary sailed on her maiden voyage on 27 May 1936 and with the outbreak of World War II, she was converted into a troopship and carried Allied soldiers for the duration of the war. During the war she was named "The Grey Ghost" because of the color she was painted to make her stealthy in war-time waters. Following the war, Queen Mary was refitted once again for passenger service. The ships Queen Mary and Queen Elisabeth dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950s. By the mid-1960s the ship was aging and though still among the most popular transatlantic liners, was operating at a loss and finally in 1967 she retired. The ship left Southampton for the last time on 31 October 1967 and sailed to the port of Long Beach, California, United States, where she remains permanently moored and now serves as a tourist attraction featuring restaurants, a museum, and hotel.

In her time, the Queen Mary carried sailors, soldiers, stowaways and wealthy vacationers. It is not surprising she saw her own share of deaths. In fact, there are so many hauntings that some parts of the ship are now barred from the public. But for the paranormally curious there are still haunted tours of the cabins and halls that housed death. During her over 70-year history, the Queen Mary has 49 reported deaths, so there are plenty of potential spirits to haunt her hallways. Reported hauntings include a young crewman in the engine room, swimmers in the first-class pool, a man in black, and a woman in blue. The in-house psychic, Peter James, claims that he has communicated with over 150 separate ghosts on the ship. James gives bi-monthly ghost tours of the ship and claims to have made contact with many different ghosts. 

Can't get to the Queen Mary to see the ghosts, here is a link to some images from the Queen Mary GhostCam. 

Are the ghosts real? I don’t know, but I sure do love a good ghost story. Have you ever been on a ghost tour, seen a ghost? Do tell!

24 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Hi just popped over from Alex's blog.

Found your Q word very interesting to read a real pleasure.

Yvonne.

Ciara said...

I remember hearing stories about the Queen Mary. It is sad so many people died on the ship. I love a good ghost story, too, so I'd love to visit the ship. I stopped by via Alex's blog.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I also love a good ghost story.

michelle said...

I've just come from Alex's place.
I couldn't remember if I had visited you before (the tons of blogs have passed in a blur over the past two weeks), but I have...
And yes, quirky fits quite snugly! As I commented on Alex's post, it's a highly desirable and unique personality trait, and I always lump the two together... quirky charm.
Thanks for the history lesson! Happy Q-Day!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I think a haunted tour of the ship would be awesome!

Lynn Proctor said...

i have been in an abandoned old house that had letters and papers strewn all over the floors--it was said if you took one of those letters or papers home with you--that they would disappear--i think mine did---very interesting ghost story today--i will be going to the links later

shelly said...

Yes. I believe in ghosts. Shared a house with one for 6 years. The story is blog-worthy.

Bob Scotney said...

I don't think I could do an A-Z on ships leat alone ones that are haunted like the old Queen Mary. I've had enough trouble managing castles where Q nearly sunk me.

Cherie Reich said...

I remember watching TV programs on this haunted ship.

Tracy Jo said...

I love a good ghost story too! I can't say that I have seen one but I have lived in houses that I am sure they were there. :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Siv .. quaint ghosts .. no thank you - Queen Mary did an outstanding job plying the seas .. and I'm sure had many a sick patient, some who died - love the stories and descriptions you've given these poor souls ... I'm not sure I'd do the tour .. I might though. Nope - met no ghosts, as yet ...

Cheers Hilary

Maurice Mitchell said...

"Some parts of the ship are now barred from the public" Siv, that is creepy. Thanks for the heads up! New follower!
- Maurice Mitchell
The Geek Twins | Film Sketchr
@thegeektwins | @mauricem1972

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I know the Queen Mary well, even stayed overnight in a "hotel" room. It was a fun novelty. I didn't know any of this history, though. Now, I'm glad I made it out alive. Thanks for this interesting post.

PS I'm here because Alex pointed out your quirkiness. I admire the quirky ones, and I'm glad to see I've already signed onto your following.

xoRobyn

Margo Berendsen said...

My mom traveled trans-Atlantic on the Queen Mary in the 50's - so cool - I didn't know that it was still around for people to visit. I'd love to hear some of the ghost stories with this ship.

I'm a visiting A-Z blogger and new follower.

Chiz said...

I love a good haunting. My friends and I used to frequent abandonned insane asylums, hospitals, and factories. A haunted ship will definitely blow those out of the water.

Gossip_Grl said...

Interesting story on the Queen Mary Ship and also on the ghost tours even though I am a big chicken when it comes to things of the paranormal.

Patricia Stoltey said...

This is fascinating! I've never seen a ghost, but a member of my critique group has one in his house. His book just came out from Llewellyn Press: Ghost Under Foot: The Spirit of Mary Bell. No, I haven't gone to visit the ghost yet...soon.

I'm here on my A to Z tour via Alex's blog.

Patricia

Anonymous said...

I can honestly say I've been in two haunted houses. I believe that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Jessica Salyer said...

Stopped by from Alex's. I think it would be scary fun to tour a haunted boat. Just maybe not at night.

Golden Eagle said...

Nope, I've never been on a tour or seen a ghost. What an eerie tale about the Queen Mary--and sad, too, of course.


The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

JoJo said...

Hi! Visiting from A-Z!

I love the Ghostly Walks Tour in Victoria BC, and living in New England, there are lots of great ghost stories here!

Empty Nest Insider said...

This is quite a story, but I don't think I'd be brave enough for any chance meetings! Julie

Michelle aka Naila Moon said...

Hopping over from A-Z (saw you on Alex's page). Not too long ago I saw the TV show "Ghost Hunters" that went on the Queen Mary to check her out. They debunked other things but could not on others.

It is all fascinating no matter what. :)

~Naila Moon

http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/2012/04/q.html

Sean McLachlan said...

I once spent three nights in a haunted hotel room in Yorkshire.

http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/08/three-nights-in-a-haunted-hotel-room/