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The Queen Mary

One hears of claims of one place or another as being the "most haunted" whatever, be it a house, school, castle, or hotel. The Queen Mary does not officially make any of these claims, but if the stories and history behind this magnificent hotel/museum are true, it would have to be one of the most haunted places in the world. The Queen Mary, now permanently docked in Long Beach, California, and acting as a hotel and tourist site, was originally launched in 1934. She was, and is, twelve decks of art deco splendor. Known as "The Queen of the Atlantic," she also served as a soldier transport during World War II. She was retired in 1967 after 1001 crossings of the Atlantic, but some of her former passengers are said to have never left.

There are so many ghosts and stories surrounding this ship that I'll just list them according to the section of the ship that they are said to frequent.

• D Deck OR Door #13 in Shaft Alley- This is one of the few ghosts that actually has a name to go with him, but I found two somewhat conflicting areas of his hangout. (Unless Door #13 is on D Deck, but I'm not sure.) Anyway, the ghost is that of John Pedder, an 18-year-old who was crushed to death in a watertight door as he tried to slip past it during a routine drill on July 10, 1966. At the time of the ship's renovation into a hotel, a guard claimed to have had a paranormal experience by the door where Pedder was killed. Seems that while patrolling with his dog late one night, the dog went wild with fear and would not go past the door. The guard then heard a "metallic" rolling sound that seemed to be coming at them at a great speed. The sound got so loud that the guard fled in terror. The door is no longer in place, and there is an escalator where it once stood. A tour guide claims that once as she left the escalator area, she noticed a darkly clad figure in back of her. He disappeared when she turned away briefly. She was later able to identify him as Pedder from photos.
• Forward Storage Room- sounds of children playing can sometimes be heard from this area of the ship where the archives are kept.
• First Class Suite Area- members of the staff claim to have seen inexplicable balls of light and the ghost of a man in a 1930's suit.
• Shaft Alley- a ghost dressed in blue overalls with black hair and a long beard has been seen by many people in the long space in the engine room that provides access to the propeller shafts.
• First Class Swimming Pool- the dressing rooms in this area are thought by mediums and psychics to be the center of ghostly phenomena. Many people have felt a presence and heard voices. The pool area is supposedly haunted by two women who drowned here. One is in 60's garb, the other 30's, so I suppose they died in two separate instances. (Either that, or one was WAY behind the times.) The sad ghost of a boy who died when he fell overboard near the pool is said to have been seen. People have heard the shouts and laughs of people having a good time, only to investigate and find the place empty. Wet footprints of unknown origin have appeared. The area is one of the most original and unchanged places on the boat. It is no longer open to the public except via the guided tour.  
• Tourist Class Swimming Pool- haunted by the presence of a woman who drowned in it. (Didn't the ship have lifeguards?)
• First Class Lounge (now Queens Salon)- The ghost of a woman clad in a white flowing dress has been seen here.
• Bosun's Locker- Inexplicable pounding sounds emanate from this area occasionally.
• Cabin B340- This cabin is no longer rented out due to unexplained disturbances. It is thought to be the haunt of a murdered purser.
• Morgue- There are a few ghosts here, but considering that 2 GIs 16 crewmen and 31 passengers total have died on the ship, they really could be anybody.
• Kitchen- I had a hard time buying this story, but it is part of the history. Supposedly a cook was murdered here during WWII. His cooking was so bad that it caused a riot, and he was stuffed into the oven and killed. It is said that his screams sometimes startle visitors. There is also poltergeist activity here.
• I read of another crew member that haunts the Queen Mary, but it wasn't specified where. His name was 2nd Officer William Stark, and he was accidentally poisoned in 1949 when he drank tetrachloride that was kept by the staff captain in an old gin bottle.  (Why in the name of God would anyone keep such a lethal substance in such an enticing container?)

So, there you have it. If anybody has any further stories or experiences, please e-mail me.

Added 12-19-98- A wonderful person named Shari has sent me an experience she had while on the Queen Mary. Please click HERE to read it.

Added 5-4-01 (Holy crow! 3 years later!)- I have finally posted a couple of more visitor experiences. Click HERE to read the first one, or HERE to read the second. 

The Queen Mary is located at Pier J in the Port of Long Beach.
Mailing address: 1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802-6390
Info: (310) 435-3511 or (310) 435-6964
Reservations: (800) 437-2934
Website: Queen Mary  

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