Ghosts of the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California
Docked gracefully in Long Beach Harbor, California, rests the RMS Queen Mary, a vessel of immense proportions and historical significance. Larger, faster, and arguably more luxurious than the ill-fated Titanic, the Queen Mary boasts a rich past filled with transatlantic voyages, wartime service, and, according to many, a persistent paranormal presence. Its story is one of opulence, duty, and enduring mysteries, making it a captivating destination for history buffs and ghost enthusiasts alike.
The genesis of this maritime marvel began in 1930 at the John Brown shipyard in Clyde, Scotland, where the first keel plate was laid. However, the global economic downturn of the Great Depression cast a shadow over the project, halting construction between 1931 and 1934. Finally, on May 27, 1936, the Queen Mary embarked on her maiden voyage, ready to usher in a new era of luxury ocean travel.
For three glorious years, the Queen Mary reigned supreme as the preferred mode of transportation for the world’s elite. The passenger manifests read like a who’s who of the era, including royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Hollywood icons such as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, David Niven, and Mary Pickford, musical geniuses George and Ira Gershwin, and even the formidable Sir Winston Churchill. This floating palace held the coveted record for the fastest-ever North Atlantic crossing, solidifying its reputation as the epitome of sophisticated travel. To the upper class, it was the only civilized way to travel.
The advent of World War II in 1939 abruptly halted the era of luxurious transatlantic cruises. The Queen Mary was swiftly requisitioned and transformed into a troopship, earning the moniker "The Grey Ghost" due to her drab wartime camouflage. Her passenger capacity was drastically increased from 2,410 to an astounding 5,500, as she became a vital asset in the Allied war effort. By the war’s end, the ship had transported over 800,000 troops, traversing more than 600,000 miles and playing a crucial role in numerous major Allied campaigns. Her wartime service was not without peril; she survived a collision at sea, carried a record-breaking 16,683 people on a single voyage, and participated in the historic D-Day invasion.
Following the cessation of hostilities, the Queen Mary undertook a new mission: transporting war brides and their children to their new homes in the United States and Canada. These voyages, known as the "Bride and Baby Voyages," saw the ship make 13 dedicated trips in 1946, carrying over 22,000 individuals eager to begin their post-war lives.
With her wartime service complete, the Queen Mary underwent extensive refurbishment and resumed her elegant cruises in July 1947, offering weekly service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York. However, the burgeoning popularity of air travel in the early 1960s, which made transatlantic travel more affordable for the masses, began to erode the demand for ocean liners. In 1963, the ship embarked on a series of occasional cruises to destinations like the Canary Islands and the Bahamas. However, she was ill-equipped for the demands of modern cruising, lacking central air conditioning, outdoor pools, and other amenities that were becoming standard on contemporary cruise ships. After more than 1,000 transatlantic crossings, she was finally withdrawn from service in 1967.
In the same year, the city of Long Beach, California, purchased the Queen Mary for $3.45 million with the intention of transforming her into a maritime museum and hotel. On December 9, 1967, she embarked on her final voyage, arriving in Long Beach to begin her new life as a permanently docked luxury hotel and tourist attraction.
Hauntings of the Queen Mary
Beyond its rich history and architectural grandeur, the Queen Mary has garnered international recognition as a site of purported paranormal activity. The historic floating hotel and museum attract countless visitors each year, drawn not only to its history but also to the tales of its spectral residents. Many believe the Queen Mary to be one of the most haunted places in the world, with estimates suggesting as many as 150 spirits may linger within its confines. The ship’s history, encompassing at least 49 reported deaths over the past 60 years, coupled with the intense experiences of wartime, has undoubtedly contributed to its reputation as a haven for restless spirits.
One of the most active areas on the ship is said to be the engine room, located 50 feet below the water level. This cavernous space, which served as a filming location for the Poseidon Adventure, is home to the infamous "Door 13." This watertight door is said to have been responsible for the deaths of at least two men at different times in the ship’s history. The most recent incident occurred in 1966 during a routine watertight door drill, when an 18-year-old crew member was crushed. Witnesses have reported seeing the spirit of a young man dressed in blue coveralls and sporting a beard walking the length of Shaft Alley before disappearing near Door 13.
The ship’s former swimming pools, once symbols of luxury and recreation, are now considered hotspots for paranormal phenomena. The first-class swimming pool, which has been closed for over three decades, is said to be frequented by the apparitions of women in 1930s-era swimming attire, often seen wandering the decks nearby. Others have reported hearing the sounds of splashing water and seeing wet footprints leading from the deck to the changing rooms. Some have even claimed to have seen the ghost of a young girl clutching a teddy bear.
In the second-class poolroom, the spirit of another young girl, known as Jackie, is often seen and heard. Legend has it that Jackie drowned in the pool during the ship’s sailing days and has refused to move on. Visitors have reported hearing her voice and laughter echoing through the empty poolroom. However, author and paranormal investigator Cher Garman notes that there are no documented drownings on the Queen Mary, though she acknowledges Jackie’s presence.
The Queen’s Salon, once the ship’s first-class lounge, is another area associated with ghostly encounters. Here, a beautiful young woman in an elegant white evening gown is often seen dancing alone in the shadows of the corner of the room.
Numerous reports of paranormal activity have also emerged from several of the ship’s first-class staterooms. Guests have reported seeing the apparition of a tall, dark-haired man in a 1930s-style suit, as well as experiencing unexplained phenomena such as running water, lights turning on and off, and phones ringing in the early morning hours with no one on the other end. In the third-class children’s playroom, the sound of a baby crying has often been heard, believed to be the spirit of an infant boy who died shortly after his birth.
In addition to these specific apparitions, visitors and staff have reported a wide range of unexplained phenomena throughout the ship, including distinct knocks, slamming doors, high-pitched squeals, sudden temperature changes, and the lingering aromas of long-gone eras.
These are just a few of the many reported encounters with the supernatural on the Queen Mary. The ship’s rich history, combined with the numerous tragedies and triumphs it has witnessed, has created an atmosphere that many believe is conducive to paranormal activity.
Today, the Queen Mary, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a diverse range of guest rooms, 14 Art Deco salons, tours, restaurants, shops, and exhibits, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience a piece of maritime history while perhaps encountering a ghost or two along the way.
Contact Information:
Queen Mary Hotel and Museum
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, California 90802
562-435-3511 or 800-437-2934