The Queen Mary ship’s haunted reputation is largely associated with her rich and varied history. This majestic ocean liner was one of the largest and fastest passenger ships of the time when she was launched in 1934.
During World War II, she was converted into a troopship, and transported over 760,000 U.S. soldiers across the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean liner also served as a hospital ship, carrying injured soldiers back to the United States.
After the war, Queen Mary returned to passenger service, sailing between England and New York City until 1967, when she was finally retired from service.
She was then sold to the City of Long Beach, California, where she is now permanently moored as a museum and hotel.
Due to her long and tragic history, Queen Mary is also believed to be haunted. As the ship that served carrying soldiers, Queen Mary has been the site of many deaths over the years. Consequently, there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity on the ship.
One of the most famous ghosts on the Queen Mary is the "Lady in White." She is described as a beautiful, ethereal phantom dressed in a white evening gown, often sighted on the grand staircase. Guests have also reported seeing her wandering the halls of the ship. Her presence is said to be associated with typical paranormal phenomena, including sudden drops in temperature, and an eerie feeling of being watched. The identity of the lady remains a mystery. Some speculate that she could be the spirit of a former passenger who met her demise on the ship, while others believe she was a crew member of the ship.
Another popular ghost is Jackie Torin, allegedly the spirit of a young girl who drowned in the ship’s pool for first-class passengers back in the day. Despite the ship now serving as a hotel, the Queen Mary’s pool has been closed for many years because of safety concerns, including structural issues and loose tiles as of 2023. Nevertheless, some guests have seen a phantom girl playing in the pool area, or while others have heard disembodied laughter and splashes from the empty pool. Jackie is also said to appear in the ship’s hallways and cabins. According to legend, she loves to play pranks on guests and is particularly fond of playing peek-a-boo with children.
Another notorious haunted legend of the ship surrounds Room B340, a standard third-class stateroom on the lowest passenger deck. It has gained a reputation as one of the most eerie places on the vessel, to the extent that the room was temporarily closed to the public because of the overwhelming number of reported paranormal encounters.
However, it has since been reopened for those who are eager to experience its alleged haunting phenomena. One of the common stories about this room is that it is haunted by the ghost of a woman who was murdered in the room in the 1930s. Another story tells of a man who drowned in the bathroom in the 1940s. Guests who have stayed in Room B340 have reported a variety of paranormal experiences such as the sightings of apparitions, hearing whispers and footsteps and even the poltergeist activities, including blankets being pulled off the bed, faucets turning on and off by themselves.
The engine room is also said to be haunted by the spirit of a fireman named John Pedder, who met a gruesome end in the room. He was reportedly crushed beneath a watertight door during a regular fire drill. His restless spirit is said to still roam the ship, and he is sighted as a bearded crewman in blue coveralls.
Besides the popular legends mentioned above, Queen Mary has many other ghost stories and paranormal legends reported by guests and paranormal thrill-seekers.
Whether you're a genuine believer in the paranormal or a staunch skeptic, there's no denying that Queen Mary is a vessel steeped in history. These paranormal stories have undoubtedly contributed to the ship’s allure as a floating, mysterious hotel. Today, you can get guided ghost tours and conduct paranormal investigations on the ship. These tours provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the ship's eerie nooks and crannies, giving them a taste of the ghostly encounters that have made the ship famous.
Whether you're a seeker of the supernatural or simply an enthusiast of maritime history, a visit to Queen Mary is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
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About the writer:
S. N. Linn is a blogger and author of books on folklore, legends, and heart-pounding ghost stories and paranormal adventures. You can find more of her work on her website: www.snlinn.com
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