The Ghosts of the RMS Queen Mary

The RMS Queen Mary, once the pride of the Cunard Line, now rests permanently docked in Long Beach, California as a hotel and tourist attraction. The ship, which served as a luxury liner and World War II troopship, is considered one of the most haunted locations in America, home to dozens of reported ghosts from its storied past.

The Ship’s History

The Queen Mary was launched in 1934 and entered service in 1936 as the flagship of the Cunard-White Star Line. She was the most luxurious ocean liner of her era, carrying movie stars, royalty, and the wealthy across the Atlantic.

During World War II, the ship was converted to a troopship, painted grey and nicknamed the “Grey Ghost.” She carried over 800,000 troops during the war, including one voyage with 16,683 soldiers aboard, the largest number of people ever transported on a single vessel.

The Queen Mary was retired in 1967 and purchased by the city of Long Beach. She has served as a hotel, museum, and tourist attraction ever since, drawing visitors fascinated by both her history and her ghosts.

The Engine Room Haunting

The ship’s engine room is among its most haunted areas. In 1966, a young crewman named John Pedder was crushed to death by a watertight door during a drill. Door 13, where he died, has been the site of numerous paranormal reports.

Visitors to the engine room have heard knocking sounds on the door. Some have reported seeing a young man in overalls near the door, who vanishes when approached. Others have felt an overwhelming sense of dread in the area.

Paranormal investigators have reported unusual electromagnetic readings near Door 13. Some have claimed to capture EVP recordings of a young man’s voice. The engine room consistently produces paranormal experiences for those who visit.

The First Class Swimming Pool

The ship’s first class swimming pool, now empty and used for tours, is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Women in 1930s-style bathing suits have been seen near the pool and in the changing rooms. Wet footprints appear on the deck despite no one being in the water.

The ghost of a young girl named Jackie has been reported in the pool area. According to legend, she drowned in the pool during the ship’s sailing days. Children’s laughter and voices have been heard echoing in the empty space.

Investigators have captured photographs showing misty figures near the pool. Guests have reported feeling touched by invisible hands. The pool area reliably produces unexplained phenomena for those who investigate it.

The Grey Ghost Period

The ship’s wartime service produced its own ghosts. During her time as a troopship, the Queen Mary was involved in a tragic accident. In 1942, she accidentally struck and sank the light cruiser HMS Curacoa, killing 239 sailors. The Queen Mary was under orders not to stop for any reason and could not rescue survivors.

The spirits of the Curacoa’s crew are said to haunt the Queen Mary. Sounds of pounding and screaming have been reported from the bow, as if men were still trapped in the water. Some have seen ghostly figures in naval uniforms.

The First Class Suites

Room B340 has such a severe reputation for paranormal activity that the ship once stopped renting it to guests. Visitors reported faucets turning on by themselves, lights flickering, and a presence of something malevolent in the room.

Specific incidents in B340 included guests being awakened by loud knocking, feeling someone sitting on the bed, and seeing shadowy figures in the corners. The room’s occupants reportedly often left in the middle of the night.

Other staterooms have their own ghosts. A woman in white has been seen in the first class suites. Children’s laughter echoes in empty corridors. Guests report feeling watched, touched, and followed throughout the ship.

Staff Experiences

The Queen Mary’s staff have reported countless paranormal experiences over the decades. They have grown accustomed to working in a haunted environment. Many have their own stories of encounters with the ship’s ghosts.

Common staff experiences include hearing footsteps in empty areas, seeing figures that vanish, and feeling cold spots in otherwise warm spaces. The ship’s overnight security guards have particularly extensive collections of strange stories.

Investigations

The Queen Mary has been investigated by numerous paranormal research groups and featured on several ghost hunting television programs. Investigators have captured EVP recordings, unusual photographs, and documented electromagnetic anomalies throughout the ship.

The ship now embraces its haunted reputation. Ghost tours are offered regularly. Paranormal investigation packages allow guests to explore the ship’s most active areas. The Queen Mary has become as famous for its ghosts as for its history.

Legacy

Whether the RMS Queen Mary is genuinely haunted by the spirits of those who served, sailed, and died aboard her, or whether the expectations of visitors create experiences that reinforce the legend, the ship remains one of America’s premier haunted locations.

The Queen Mary’s ghosts, if they exist, are a testament to the power of place. So much life was lived aboard this vessel—birth, death, romance, war—that traces of human experience may have permanently marked her steel and wood.