RMS Queen Mary Long Beach, California
Photo Credit: Geographer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queen_Mary_Hotel_Night.jpg
The ocean liner RMS Queen Mary was launched in 1934 by Queen Victoria herself, and was named the RMS Queen Mary. The ship was noted for being the largest luxury liner of its day. Accommodations included fully equipped luxury suites for the rich, and even accommodated less austere, cramped cabins for third class passengers.
The ship featured the best that money could buy. It's first class dining was made for a queen to dine in. Ornate fixtures and artwork filled the ship. Classical woodwork and furnishings were all part of the grand ships design. The Queen Mary also had a nursery, heated indoor pool, an observation bar, Starlight Club, a Sun Deck, a salon, and much more.
During World War Two, the Queen Mary, The Normandy, and the Queen Elizabeth were converted into troopships to carry Australian and New Zealand soldiers to the United Kingdom. During this time the "Queen" ships were named "The Grey Ghost." While cruising along, the Queen Mary narrowly escaped an attack from a German U-Boat that was lying in wait for the liner. At the last minute, the liner was warned and was able to slipped away, avoiding disaster.
Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in 1941 During Troop Transport
In October of 1942, the ship accidentally ran into an escort ship. The HMS Curacoa was sliced into by the Grey Ghost, off of the Irish Coast. Because of the danger of U-Boats in the waters, the captain was not allowed to go back and make rescues, the escorting Royal Navy destroyers were ordered to do so instead. As a result, many lives were lost, in all, 338.
In December of 1942, while carrying nearly 17, 000 American troops to Great Britain, the ship was hit by a 92 foot rogue wave. The Queen nearly capsized. The movie "The Poseidon Adventure" was inspired by this actual event. During 1946-47, The Grey Ghost was refitted to a passenger liner, where she was then upgraded. She sailed for a few more decades and then was retired in 1967. She was purchased from merchants of Long Beach, in California. She is now a tourist ship and hotel.
According to past employees, current employees, and visitors of the Queen Mary, the ship is haunted. There are ghosts said to still roam the halls, swimming pool, nursery area, and other parts of the ship. There were said to have been some 49 deaths aboard the ship during its years of service, not to mention the bad luck with the HMS Curacoa.
There is believed to be the ghost of John Peddler, he haunts the engine room. He was crushed to death by a watertight door during an on board fire. Paranormal investigators and visitors alike have said to have run-ins with him. Also, the sounds of children crying in the nursery have been heard, or splashing from the pool is also heard.
Queen Mary's Long Hallways and Cabins
Photo Credit: Geographer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queen_Mary_Hotel_Cabin_Corridor.jpg
There are numerous apparitions seen in the halls of the ship; a woman in blue, and a man in black are just a few of the well known ghosts that haunt this ship. Furniture is said to move on its own, voices and cries are heard. Some believe there could also be confused souls from those killed on HMS Curacoa, haunting the Queen Mary.
No one can say for sure. But one thing is known, there have been many documented cases of the paranormal collected from this ship, and it continues to draw thousands of tourists each year looking for a great hotel, or in other cases, in search of maritime ghosts.
Copyright ©Sylvia Zimmer 2008
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