USS Constellation – Haunted Warship in Baltimore, Maryland

The USS Constellation sits majestically at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, her wooden hull creaking with memories. This historic warship has sailed through centuries of naval history and supernatural mystery.

Commissioned in 1854, the sloop-of-war has witnessed death, tragedy, and countless battles. Her decks are soaked with stories of sailors who never quite left their posts.

Visitors report strange occurrences aboard this floating museum almost daily. Phantom footsteps echo through empty corridors while unexplained cold spots chill the bones of tourists.

The ship remains one of Baltimore’s most haunted locations according to paranormal investigators. Her reputation draws ghost hunters and history enthusiasts from across the nation.

Historical Background

The USS Constellation was launched on August 26, 1854, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She served as the last all-sail warship designed by the United States Navy.

Her original purpose was to patrol international waters and enforce anti-slavery laws. The ship intercepted slave traders off the African coast during her early missions.

During the Civil War, the Constellation served as a flagship in the Mediterranean Squadron. She protected American interests abroad while the nation tore itself apart at home.

The vessel witnessed numerous deaths throughout her active service until 1893. Sailors died from disease, accidents, and disciplinary actions aboard her wooden decks.

One particularly tragic incident involved a young sailor named Neil Harvey in 1822. He was allegedly executed by sword for falling asleep at his post.

Historical records dispute whether this execution actually occurred on the current Constellation. The confusion stems from an earlier ship that shared the same name.

Captain Thomas Truxtun commanded the original Constellation during the Quasi-War with France. His strict disciplinary methods created an atmosphere of fear among the crew.

The ship was decommissioned in 1955 and brought to Baltimore as a museum. She became a permanent fixture at the Inner Harbor in 1968.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The most common supernatural occurrence involves the sound of footsteps on empty decks. Guards and staff members report hearing boots marching when no one else is present.

Cold spots appear suddenly throughout the ship without any logical explanation. These temperature drops can be twenty degrees colder than surrounding areas.

Visitors frequently report feeling invisible hands pushing them or tugging at their clothing. These physical encounters leave many guests shaken and uncomfortable.

Strange apparitions materialize in various sections of the ship without warning. Witnesses describe seeing figures in period naval uniforms that vanish instantly.

The smell of gunpowder occasionally permeates certain areas despite no firearms being aboard. This phantom scent appears strongest near the gun deck and berthing areas.

Equipment malfunctions plague the ship with unusual frequency according to maintenance staff. Lights flicker, doors slam shut, and electronic devices drain their batteries inexplicably.

Disembodied voices carry through the ship’s corridors during both day and night hours. Staff members have recorded unexplained conversations on security cameras with no visible speakers.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Neil Harvey remains the most famous spirit haunting the USS Constellation. Witnesses describe seeing a young man in sailor garb wandering the lower decks.

His apparition typically appears near the area where his execution allegedly took place. The ghost seems confused and agitated according to multiple eyewitness accounts.

Captain Thomas Truxtun’s spirit supposedly walks the quarterdeck even in death. Security guards report seeing a distinguished figure in an officer’s uniform surveying the ship.

This phantom captain appears protective of his vessel and disapproving of modern visitors. Some witnesses claim he glares at them before fading into the woodwork.

A spectral priest has been spotted performing last rites in the orlop deck. His translucent form kneels beside invisible bodies while moving his lips in silent prayer.

The chaplain’s ghost appears most frequently during early morning hours before dawn. Cleaning crews avoid that section of the ship because of repeated encounters.

An unnamed sailor with severe wounds appears in the sick bay area. Blood appears to stain his uniform though the apparition leaves no physical evidence.

This wounded spirit seems trapped in a loop of suffering and confusion. Witnesses report hearing his moans and pleas for help echoing through empty spaces.

A young cabin boy’s ghost has been seen playing with ropes and equipment. The child’s spirit seems unaware of his death and continues his daily duties.

Staff members report finding ropes tied in complex knots that no one created. Equipment gets moved overnight to different locations without explanation.

Local folklore suggests a woman in period clothing also haunts the ship. No historical records explain why a female spirit would be present aboard.

This mysterious woman appears in a long dress and bonnet near the captain’s cabin. Some researchers theorize she was a stowaway who died during a voyage.

Most Haunted Spot

The orlop deck remains the most paranormally active location on the entire ship. This lowest deck housed sick and dying sailors during the ship’s active service.

Visitors report overwhelming feelings of dread and sadness when descending to this level. Many people refuse to venture into the orlop deck without a companion.

The area where Neil Harvey allegedly met his fate generates the strongest supernatural activity. Electronic equipment consistently malfunctions in this specific section of the ship.

Shadow figures dart between support beams while cold spots appear without warning. Photographers capture mysterious orbs and light anomalies in this area regularly.

The captain’s cabin also ranks highly among paranormally active spaces aboard the Constellation. Visitors report feeling watched and experiencing unexplained temperature changes inside the quarters.

Can You Visit?

The USS Constellation is open to the public year-round as a museum ship. Standard admission costs approximately fifteen dollars for adults and ten dollars for children.

Self-guided tours allow visitors to explore most areas of the ship at leisure. Informational placards provide historical context throughout the various decks and compartments.

Photography is permitted throughout the ship for personal use without flash restrictions. Many paranormal investigators bring specialized equipment hoping to capture evidence of ghostly activity.

The ship operates Tuesday through Sunday with seasonal hour variations throughout the year. Winter months offer reduced hours while summer provides extended visiting times until early evening.

Special paranormal investigation tours are occasionally offered through third-party ghost hunting organizations. These after-hours experiences provide exclusive access to the most haunted sections.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity increases significantly during overnight hours between midnight and four in the morning. The ship’s spirits seem most active when fewer living people are present.

Autumn months generate increased reports of supernatural encounters according to staff records. October brings both the peak tourist season and heightened ghostly manifestations.

Overcast days with threatening weather seem to amplify paranormal experiences aboard the ship. Electrical storms in particular correlate with increased sightings and unexplained phenomena.

Anniversary dates of significant historical events aboard the ship also show activity spikes. Staff members mark their calendars for these dates and prepare for unusual occurrences.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A museum docent named Susan reported seeing Neil Harvey’s ghost in 1995. She described a transparent young man in period uniform who beckoned her to follow.

Susan followed the apparition down to the orlop deck before he vanished completely. She immediately quit her position and refuses to return to the ship.

Security guard Mike Patterson documented hearing his name called repeatedly during night shifts. His security footage captured audio of the voice but showed no physical presence.

Mike reported feeling someone grab his shoulder while alone in the captain’s cabin. He spun around to find empty space and a sudden drop in temperature.

A Baltimore Sun reporter spent an entire night aboard the ship in 2003. She documented multiple instances of doors closing by themselves and unexplained footsteps.

Her digital recorder captured what sounded like orders being shouted in naval terminology. No living person was present when the recordings were made.

Tourists from Ohio reported their young daughter speaking with an invisible friend in 2010. The child described details about ship life that she could not have known.

The girl later identified a photograph of a cabin boy from historical records. She insisted the boy in the picture was her friend from the ship.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Atlantic Paranormal Society featured the USS Constellation on their television program. Their investigation captured numerous EVP recordings and unexplained temperature fluctuations.

Ghost Adventures filmed an episode aboard the ship in 2010 documenting intense paranormal activity. Zak Bagans reported being physically pushed by an unseen force near the orlop deck.

The team captured thermal imaging footage showing human-shaped heat signatures without physical bodies. Their equipment experienced multiple malfunctions consistent with electromagnetic interference.

Local paranormal investigation group Baltimore Ghost Hunt conducts regular investigations aboard the Constellation. They have amassed extensive documentation of EVP recordings and photographic anomalies.

Their evidence includes clear recordings of voices responding intelligently to investigator questions. One session captured a voice identifying itself as a sailor from 1865.

Psychic medium Chip Coffey visited the ship and reported overwhelming spiritual energy. He claimed multiple spirits remain trapped aboard reliving their final moments repeatedly.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must stay within designated tour areas for their own safety aboard the ship. Historic vessels contain steep stairs and low clearances that pose physical hazards.

The ship’s wooden construction can be slippery when wet during inclement weather. Appropriate footwear is strongly recommended for navigating the angled decks safely.

Unsupervised exploration after closing hours constitutes trespassing and carries legal consequences. Security personnel patrol the area and work closely with Baltimore Police Department.

The orlop deck areas include confined spaces that may trigger claustrophobia in sensitive individuals. Visitors experiencing anxiety should inform staff members before descending to lower levels.

Local Legends & Myths

Baltimore locals whisper about a curse placed on the ship by a dying sailor. This legend claims the vessel will remain haunted until justice is served for Neil Harvey.

Some variations of the story suggest Harvey was innocent of his accused crime. His spirit allegedly seeks vindication and refuses to rest until his name is cleared.

Another legend involves a hidden compartment somewhere aboard containing cursed artifacts from slave ships. These items supposedly amplify the supernatural activity throughout the vessel.

No evidence supports the existence of this hidden cache despite numerous searches. The legend persists among paranormal enthusiasts and treasure hunters nonetheless.

Ghost ship sightings in Baltimore Harbor occasionally report seeing the Constellation sailing at night. These phantom voyage reports appear in local newspapers dating back decades.

Witnesses describe seeing the ship fully rigged and under sail despite being permanently moored. The spectral vessel reportedly disappears when approached by harbor patrol boats.