Bigger than the Titanic, The Queen Mary was the pride of the Cunard Lines. She carried many distinguished guests, and during WWII was converted to carry troops to the front. It was during one of these troop carrying missions that one of the most horrific episodes of her history occurred. On October 2, 1942 the Queen Mary was rounding Ireland on the last leg of her journey. At this time, she was joined by the HMS Curacoa and 6 destroyers as she was within Luftwaffe range. The Queen Mary was zig zagging in her course to make it difficult for U-boats in the area to target her. Because of the zig zag pattern, the Curacoa and the destroyers were told to stay ahead of the Queen Mary. The turbulence from all of the ships made a heavy wash and forced the ships to make minor adjustments in their courses.

Down in engine and fire rooms of the Queen Mary, a slight bump was felt. No one thought anything of it as the ship was unscathed and kept on its course. The "bump" was the HMS Curacoa. The slight change in course caused the Queen Mary to nudge the Curacoa's stern, sending the ship into the path of the massive ocean liner. Because the orders were to continue on no matter what, the Queen Mary did not stop and snapped the HMS Curacoa in two. Of 439 men aboard 338 were lost.

In October of 1967, The Queen Mary made her way to Long Beach, CA where she was going to be converted into a floating hotel. During the transition between ship and hotel, strange things began happening.

A secretary was was walking passed the engine room when she heard a clanging noise as if a worker was in there doing some repairs. She went in to investigate and the noise immediately stopped. The woman went on her way and the noise started again. As she started to enter the engine room again, the noise stopped. The woman fled the area.

Another incident occurred in the area of the boat which housed the swimming pool. No one was allowed in that area of the ship, and the pool was completely drained. However, next to the pool was a woman dressed in a one piece bathing suit that looked to be from the early 1950's. The woman was about ready to dive into the empty pool. The crewmember yelled for the woman to stop and she disappeared. Later, while checking the ship's records, the crewmember discovered that a woman had drowned in the swimming pool.

And yet another story comes from watertight door number 13. A guard was patrolling that area with his dog when he heard a noise coming from door number 13. The dog stopped and refused to move any further. They searched the area but found nothing. Archives show that a man by the name of John Pedder was crushed and killed by watertight door number 13. Several years later, a guide felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw a young man standing there behind her. The apparition was there only a few seconds before disappearing. The guide later picked John Pedder's photo out of a line up. She was not aware of the tragic death occurring at door 13.

Many unexplained things happen aboard The Queen Mary. Hatches and doors open by themselves in the hours after midnight, sounds are heard in various areas of the ship, wet footprints have appeared along the empty pool, and the ship's first captain who died aboard the ship is seen pacing the bridge.

Most spine chilling is an incident that occurred during the trip into California. A marine engineer aboard was in the bow below deck when he heard the voices of panicked men screaming in horror. Then he heard the sound of crunching metal being ripped apart and the sound of rushing water. The same noises have been heard occasionally since the ship has been permanently berthed. Is this the accident of the Curacoa being relived again?

Spooky, Gator!

Seriously, mate. this is truly good stuff. . .thanks for sharing the story, my friend!
~Gunny

I can remember being seriously impressed by some book when I was a kid that included a chapter on how the German battleship Scharnhorst was haunted and cursed. Another chapter was on the Great Eastern, with some of the stories being very similar. I think many, if not all, big ships might have some spooks running around.

I lived in Long Beach when the Queen Mary came in. I was on board her many times. I can't say I ever saw a ghost, though I was never alone below decks that I can recall.

She is a great old lady though. If you ever get the chance I recommend taking the tour.

Cool story Kenny! Now that is ship related entertainment!

I'm glad to hear that you guys are enjoying them. I'll continue to post stories like this as I can find them. Thanks for the insight Rodger. I'll have to look those up.

Gator

And the haunted U-boat, Tryon's appearance at a party after the Victoria/Camperdown collision, Joshua Slocum's misadventure with goat's cheese and many others.

David

Then there is the story of Drake's Drum...

http://www.xroyvision.com.au/drake/history/drum2.html

Good story Martin.

I remember another book, I've read a few of them in my time, this one on the Battle of Britain. I think it was written by a American newspaperman. It included a bit about Drake's Drum being heard at some point in a air raid.

"Take my drum to England, hang et by the shore,
Strike et when your powder's runnin' low;
If the Dons sight Devon, I'll quit the port o' Heaven,
An' drum them up the Channel as we drumm'd them long ago."

Hi Guys,

Nothing like a good yarn to pass a few moments.

Thanks all.

Cheers

Al