Port City Paranormal had been in business for four years before we had the
opportunity to investigate the Battleship North Carolina. It was difficult to get the money
for a vigil with so few of us on the team but we forged ahead.
On our first full investigation in April of 2009, we were amazed how large the ship was
and how lost we could get in the darkness. Our first concern was how would we cover
the place with video and audio, there was limited access to power after the lights were
out. We thankfully were equipped with 4 small IR cameras that recorded directly to disc,
eliminating the need for a "central command" and the miles of powercords,wires and
cables.
From that first night we were convinced the ship was haunted ! K II hits everywhere,
some went off in sequence as if someone with a power source has walked by each one in
succession. Hair was tugged, only on the women, and then, just the blondes! The Mess
areas, a hall near sick bay and #3 engine room seemd to have the most activity. One
investigator will never return to the battleship. She reported being touched several times
in conjunction with high KII readings. When something brushed by her shoulder, we
observed her KII go red and stay red until she exited the area. On reaching the midway
point on the stair, she stated firmly " You are scaring me, please stop !You stay here, I
have to go !" At that moment all KIIs went quiet.
Members of our team had seen the first of many shadows that roam the ship, various
anomalies were recorded, including cold spots in the bull pen and engine room.
The most astonishing evidence of the investiagtion was when several of the team
recordedsounds of the "Big Guns" firing. Faint at first, the same sound was heard again
and again. Boom... Boom ... Boom ! Recorded from several areas
simultaniously, we have yet to disprove the evidence.
We do know that that date was near the anniversary of the bombardment of Okinawa.
It would be five months before we returned to the ship for our second investigation. In
between, we discovered the ships archives. Loaded with history, photographs, battle
plans, one ouija board and miles of files ,the archives is a treasure trove for those who
know where to look. Going through stacks of documents, some containing personal
diaries , we began to get to know the men who served aboard BB55. The investigation
was getting personal.
Who were the spirits that remain aboard? Why are they still here? Are they all from the
battleship? We heard so many voices, more voices than listed as those who gave their
lives fighting for our freedom. Who was the lady we heard crying, and later speak?
September 19, 2009,
The PCP team returned. We had learned alot from the one investigation. Jane
developed our grid system that divided our 10-12 investigators into two or three
subteams utilizing a time schedule for movement to areas to be investigated. Now we
would be able to prevent noise contamination such as people walking, talking, or
making noise on other levels. When one subteam would record something possably
paranormal, it was easy to compare with recordings of the same moment from other
teams who may have heard the same thing or caused it. Knowing where we were
recording at any given moment also allowed us triangulate the origin of sounds.
We found that a recorded blood curdling scream , had changed due to the metal
bulkheads and simple echo effect. What started as a team member's laugh, had mutated
into a scream in a short distance.
Other recorded noises were unusual whispers, strange grunts and sounds of shuffling
footsteps when no one was moving. Recorded near the Warrent Officer's mess were the
sounds of small low flying planes. Unlike the lone jets that fly into the local airport, this
sounded more like multiple propeller driven planes.
Shadows were sighted near sick bay and in the main mess. Employees of the Battleship
often report seeing "visitors" long after closing. Still without any photographic evidence,
we stand sure that the Battleship is home to multiple enities. Voice recordings have
matched those in our first vigil. What sounds very much like "William" was recorded this
night.
"Ghostship" is an annual fundraiser & Halloween event,and not an investigation. We
think it deserves mention here,because no matter what date or time of day the ghosts of
BB55 are always there. Frequently, visitors and staff report seeing a shadow man in the
mess area. One very hot night , during "Ghost Ship', Jane witnessed a tall shadow
figure walk the length of the main mess. With her second sighting, more than an hour
later, Jane was convinced her she had seen the SHADOW that haunts the mess.
Discribed as "more than black, with sharp edges that were plainly that of a "tall husky
man". The wraith moved slowly from left to right and silently dissappeared into the bake
shop.
No one was present either time and Jane could not wait to share her experience. After
closing, Doug had his own experience to share ! h]He had witnessed the same spector,
but at a different time and from the left side of the mess. " It was solid, and blocked out
the light as it went toward the bake shop". They agreed it was a very tall well built man,
but it was as if no light could escape from the immeasurable darkness that had passed
before us.
Was this a residual , energized by the screaming and excitement of the Ghost Ship event?
December 19,2009
This was one of our first times we were able to investigate the entire ship. We were all
excited. We had added more cameras and had streamlined our setup. Every camera had
sound and all investigators had their own personal recorders with fresh batteries ready
to go !
We had begun to know our way around in the dark and were able to invite other teams
to work with us. We feel that this is benificial in several ways, most importantly,we found
that in sharing investigations with other teams, we learned from them and made many
lasting personal friendships.
Not every investigation we have done on the Battleship has been a bell ringer.
Paranormal investigation is a hurry up and wait task, sometimes boring, often very cold
! Sitting in the dark waiting for something to happen is what we do. We do try to occupy
much of that time doing new experiments, following up on previous evidence and talking
with the spirits.
Port City has always been a non provoke team, and our research of the battleship is a
testiment to this approach. We have found on a routine basis that a gentle,
conversational tone elicits more responses that the antagonistic tirades used on
television. Like I said, this has become personal, we are becoming friends with
phantoms. Once human beings like you or I, these souls remain on the ship for
unknown reasons. We hope someday they will share what they can.
So, we listen in the darkness...hoping to give comfort.
Again we ask: What happened to you? Can it happen to me ?
Battleship Diaries 2009-2010
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Copyright 2008
Port City Paranormal