Why the Queen Mary is called the “World’s Most Haunted Ship”

Not only has there been 49 documented deaths on the Queen Mary, and terrors of war; there are countless stories of encounters with the paranormal. It is said that there are over 150 known spirits aboard the ship, and the spirits are not afraid to make themselves known. Guests are often seeing lights flickering, orbs, and apparitions; feeling temperature changes; smelling aromas from past smells; and hearing doors slamming, knocking, screams, and children crying. Some have even reported being touched by mysterious forces. The Queen Mary has been voted into the “Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America” by Time Magazine, and has earned the title of the “World’s Most Haunted Ship.” The ship now serves as a hotel, museum, and tourist attraction in Long Beach, CA.

The Queen Mary sailed the Atlantic from 1936 to 1967. She started off as a luxury ocean liner, that for three years carried passengers across the Atlantic.

When World War II began, she was stripped of her luxury, repainted, nicknamed the “Grey Ghost,”and became a transport ship for soldiers. Many POW perished in the overheated hull. In October of 1942, she collided with her escort cruiser the Curacoa, while evading German U-boats. Tragically, the collision resulted in 338 sailors losing their lives, most likely by the ship’s propeller. Eerily, you can see the propeller in the water when touring the Queen Mary. There have been many reports of people feeling dizzy and getting anxiety while visiting the propeller room on the ship.

When the war ended, she was refurbished to become a passenger ship again in 1947, and went on to complete 1,001 voyages. Captain Treasure Jones captained the ship from 1965 to 1967 before completing her final voyage from Southampton to Long Beach where she is permanently docked. However, it is said that Captain Jones may not have left the ship, as people have reported smelling cigar smoke in the captain’s quarters.

Many different paranormal investigations have taken place on the Queen Mary. The most extensive was in the early 90’s when Peter James, a gifted psychic and medium, spent eighteen months completing studies. He was responsible for discovering many of the ghosts that inhabit the ship. The most social of the spirits is named Jackie, who is reportedly a five or six year old little girl who spends most of her time in the First Class Pool Room.

Some investigators have wondered if Jackie is in fact a little girl, or something much darker. Some questioned whether she could be multiple spirits or a demonic entity portraying a little girl. Mediums have stated that they can feel a strong energy and emotions aboard the ship, and went as far to say that there is evil there.

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The First Class Pool is one of the most active areas on the ship. Along with hearing little Jackie, reports of seeing wet footprints and hearing splashing have been stated. Additionally, some have said to have seen women in 1930’s swimwear standing around the pool.

Another spirit who frequents the First Class Pool is one people have nicknamed as “Grumpy.” He has been known to lurk under the stairs in the Pool room and growl at visitors.

John Henry was a man who died in the engine room and appears most often to people as a shadowy figure. When we toured the ship, the guide recounted his personal experience with this spirit. He said he was positive there was a man at the end of the tour. He saw him. However, when he was waiting for all the guests to exit the engine room, the man was no longer there. They searched for a missing person but never found one. Sharing his experience with other employees and describing what he saw; they could relate, and explained that it was probably the spirit of John Henry.

If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the “Lady in White.” She is said to be wearing a white ball gown and is seen floating and dancing at the end of a first-class lounge called the Queen’s Salon.

The infamous Door 13 in the Shaft Alley is where many people see the spirit of John Pedder. He was eighteen years old when he was crushed and killed by the large shaft door. One story stated that he and another were playing “chicken,” where others question if his death was indeed an accident. He tends to leave greasy hand prints, and walk the alley until disappearing into Door 13.

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Another incident on the ship adding to the amount of tragedy, happened on Level B. It was reported that a girl named Dana was murdered, along with her mother and sister. Her mother and sister were strangled in their bed, and Dana was shot to death in the bathroom.

B deck is said to be an extremely haunted area. It has had many reports of unexplained behavior, especially in room B-340. This room had so many complaints, that the hotel quit offering it to visitors. Guests would hear footsteps, faucets turning on and off, and toilets flushing. Eventually, the room was reopened as part of the haunted charm of the ship for tourists wanting their own paranormal experience.

I have visited the Queen Mary two times, one of which we stayed the night on the ship. Walking around I was more fascinated than afraid, except when we were in the First Class Pool Room and the Engine Room. In the dark, trying to go to sleep was also an uneasy feeling. In our room, I felt the most on edge in the bathroom. The ship is beautiful, but definitely has a history you can feel while looking down the eerily long hallways or walking the deck of the ship. There is a presence felt and an unexplained energy aboard the ship.

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Is the Queen Mary rightfully named the “World’s Most Haunted Ship?”

Tell me what you think in the comment section.

Want to see more haunted places in America? Check out:

The Mysteries of Crater Lake

The Winchester Mystery House