'Ghost Busters' Investigate Historic Ship
Specialists in paranormal research are investigating whether a historic whaling ship might be home to the ghost of a long-ago seafarer, according to an Associated Press report.
AP reported that a five-member team from the Rhode Island Paranormal Research group visited Mystic Seaport last week to spend time on the Charles W. Morgan, a wooden whaling ship where several visitors have reported seeing the apparition.
According to information on www.mysticseaport.com, The Charles W. Morgan is the last surviving wooden whaling ship from the great days of sail. Built in 1841 in New Bedford, Mass., the Morgan had a successful 80-year whaling career. She made 37 voyages before retiring in 1921, and was preserved as an exhibit through the efforts of a number of dedicated citizens. After being on display in South Dartmouth, Mass., until 1941, she came to Mystic Seaport.
The ship, due for a $3.5 million restoration next year, one of the main attractions at the Mystic Seaport maritime museum.
The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group became interested in the Morgan after receiving reports from three different groups of people about the apparition.
The visitors said that while touring the ship last summer, they saw a man in what appeared to be 19th-century clothing working below deck. They said the man, who had a pipe in his mouth, nodded at them but did not speak.
When they went returned to the main deck and asked a museum interpreter what the man was doing, they were told that no one was down below and that no one was assigned to be on the boat that day.
Museum officials gave the group permission to conduct the investigation.
Upon initial investigation, the group found enough evidence of paranormal activity in certain areas to return with more sophisticated equipment. Though a leader of the group did admit that about 90 percent of the time, the group is able to find a natural explanation, whether it be something structural, an animal noise or a hoax.
(Source: Associated Press)
