Port City Paranormal had been in business for four years before we decided to investigate the
Battleship for the first time. It was difficult to get the money to pay for a vigil with so few of us on
the team but we forged ahead .
On our first trip in April of 2009, we were amazed how large the ship was and how lost one 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
miles of powercords,wires and cables. We always thought the central command spot was a waste
of an investigators time and it also placed all our evidence in one computer ,or should I say,"in one
basket". We were disappointed we did not have access to all of the ship but after it was explained
that would cost more we settled right in to the nights work.
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. Hair was tugged, but 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 to zero.
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 recorded
sounds 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 shelling 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 stacksof documents, some containing personal diaries , we began to get to know the men
who served aboard BB55. The whole 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 utilized
a time schedule for movement to individual 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 movable recorders were 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 due to echos off of metal bulkheads distorting sound.
Other recorded noises were the usual whispers, some gruntsand sounds of shuffling footsteps
when no one was moving.. Recorded near the Warrent Officer's mess were the sounds of small
lowflying 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.
Although "Ghostship" is an annual fundraiser & Halloween event, It is not by any means a
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 spirit that haunts the mess. Discribed as "more than black, with sharp edges
that plainly was that of a tall husky man" It moved from left to right and dissappeared into the bake
shop.
Doug, who was also stationed in the mess was not present either of those times and Jane could not
wait to share the experience. Not until after closing, did Doug reveal he had witnessed the same
spector; but at a later time and from the left side of the mess. " It was solid, and blocked out the
light as it went to the other side of the mess." They agreed it was a very tall well built man, but it
was as if no light could escape from the appirition.
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 ?
Please be patient , we will have a new page that will highlight our 2011 investigations of janurary,
Feburary and March investigations .
Battleship Diaries 2009-2010