A Victory for Halloween By Paranormal Expert Brian Clune
It’s that time of year again, Halloween. As a paranormal author and investigator, this is the busiest time of year for me, and as I sit here in the security booth of the USS Iowa Museum, my mind is awash thinking about all of the events I have coming up, book signings, paranormal conventions, and talks scheduled for libraries and historical groups all around the South Bay. But as I look at the ship behind me, I can’t help but be reminded of the men who gave their lives so that we could remain free. Working aboard this battleship, sometimes late into the night and early morning, I have come to realize that the dedication of those who served aboard this vessel of freedom has never wavered nor has their obligation to duty, for you see, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, have shown me that they are still here, and still serve the country and people they love.
Everyone knows about the warships and what the men and women of the US Navy gave to keep America the land of the free, but few know that the merchant marines were just as important, perhaps more so than the warships that get all of the attention. Without this mostly unknown service, the warships would not have been able to operate, or survive the rigors of war. It was the Merchant Marines that supplied the fleet, with food, munitions, and medical supplies, and the means of repairing all of the equipment needed was provided by liberty ships and victory ships. We are fortunate indeed to have one of the longest-serving and heroic of them all right here in San Pedro. I am, of course, talking about the Lane Victory Museum.
The SS Lane Victory, had a long career spanning from WWII, Korea, and the Viet Nam war, not once did she or her crew ever waiver in their duty to this country, and when she was finally donated as a naval museum, that dedicated ship, and her long-deceased crew, came back from the dead to once again serve the United States. This time, not in war and strife, but to teach new generations the history and bravery of the ships and crews of the Merchant Marines. Sitting in an out-of-the-way dock at the end of Harbor Blvd., the ghostly crew of this supply ship still tend to their daily duties and make themselves known to guests who wish to learn.
The volunteer crew of the Lane Victory insists that the ship is not haunted but so many reports have come from those they allow to investigate the merchant ship, that it is hard to deny the spirits that reside on the ship. Some of the reports coming from those who have investigated range from EVP and loud knocking to hearing whispers and seeing actual apparitions; in shaft alley, one group has said that they could actually hear the sound of men talking and then the voices began to sound frightened, this was followed by the sound of footsteps running towards an escape ladder, as the footfalls receded down the corridor so did the sound. The group’s guide informed them that if the ship was taking on water the door would seal shut and the only way for trapped crewmen to escape was to make a mad dash for the ladder. The voice of a little girl, believed to be a Korean refugee from the time the Lane Victory rescued a large group of Korean citizens has also been heard in various areas of the ship.
A psychic who toured the ship said that she believes the museum area of the ship may be the epicenter of the paranormal on the Lane Victory. Many people believe that portals, or vortexes exist that allow the spirits to freely come and go into our realm to either complete unfinished business, make amends for past transgressions, or to help teach new generations history that should not be forgotten. This psychic claims that there are so many spirits in the museum and on the ship that they give off a palpable feeling of anxiety to anyone attuned to that sort of thing; it is as if some of the spirits are trying to tell people to, “go away, we don’t want you here,” while others are telling people to pull up a seat and listen to their stories, she also claims that many don’t particularly like cameras. This psychic also claims that a young, bespectacled sailor from the Vietnam War era follows people around, mainly women and tries to dissuade them from snapping pictures, she suggests that this fellow feels it to be disrespectful to the soldiers and seamen who remain on the ship. She said that the energy was so strong from the spirits that she became physically sick to her stomach and had to rush out of the museum to keep from getting sick, but that as soon as she was back on deck the queasiness subsided and she began to feel better. She said she believes that a few of these spirits actually followed her until she reached the bottom of the gangway to make sure she got off of the ship safely.
Another part of the ship where a lot of activity occurs is the cargo hold at the stern of the ship. Many investigators report shadows flitting about and these shades always appear just at the corner of the eye. The shadows never linger long and seem to vanish when one attempts to look directly at them. No one is quite sure who these shadows might be but when you consider a large number of refugees and soldiers the Lane Victory managed to rescue from the Chosin Reservoir during that pivotal battle, it is possible that many of them have come back in death to the ship that rescued them in in life to keep the heroics of the ship alive.
There is one report that comes from the ship that has caused a lot of people to wonder at the cause. There have been many groups who have spent the evening aboard the Lane Victory who have said they have heard the sound of bowling coming from the cargo hold of the vessel. As there has never been a bowling alley, or anything remotely resembling one on the ship, the sound has caused quite a bit of confusion. After speaking with crew members on the ship as well as other seamen from different vessels, they told me that the sound most likely is coming from the hawsers being pulled tight against the ship and then loosening as the tide ebbs and surges. There are also certain types of fish that can attach themselves to the hull, which can cause a similar sound. This is most likely what is causing the spectral bowling heard at night when the ship is quiet.
Transport ships don’t get the attention of mighty warships or even the smaller battle tested ships such as destroyers or frigates, but without these unsung heroes of the seas the might of the navy would never be able to operate. Without these smaller ships and the bravery of their crew to sail through enemy waters, with a simple escort and their own meager armament to protect them, America could never have won the war in the Pacific or profoundly aided in the liberation of Europe and the world. Yet, as mentioned, few know of or think about the service the Merchant Marines have given to the freedom of the United States and the world. Luckily, many dedicated Merchant Marines around the country have preserved these ships as museums and they, along with volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping the history of the brave crews who manned the ships through dangerous waters and times still going strong. Living or dead, we must thank all those who are still here teaching and giving their time and knowledge to new generations of Americans so our past will forever be remembered.
Brian Clune is a historian and the co-founder of Planet Paranormal. His love of history motivated him to volunteer at both the USS Iowa and Fort MacArthur Military Museum. His involvement with Planet Paranormal has led him to work with many TV shows including Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, The Dead Files, and My Ghost Story. He was also the focus of a companion documentary for the film Paranormal Asylum.
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