USS Salem – Haunted Warship in Quincy, Massachusetts

The USS Salem, a heavy cruiser now permanently docked in Quincy, Massachusetts, carries a chilling reputation as one of the most haunted naval vessels in the United States. Once a powerful symbol of American military strength, the ship now draws visitors not only for its naval history but for the countless ghostly encounters reported on board.

From disembodied voices to shadowy figures lurking below deck, the ship’s dark energy stems from both its service history and its later years as a floating morgue.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1945
• Original Purpose: Naval Warship (Heavy Cruiser)
• Significant Events:
  • Commissioned too late for WWII, the USS Salem served during the Cold War era, patrolling Mediterranean waters.
  • Following a devastating earthquake in Greece in 1953, the ship’s medical bay temporarily served as a morgue, housing hundreds of bodies brought aboard from the disaster zone.
  • Sailors and visitors alike have long whispered about strange deaths, tragic accidents, and eerie events during the ship’s active service.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Common Occurrences: Visitors frequently report hearing phantom footsteps echoing through the metal corridors. Unexplained cold spots appear even in the height of summer, and disembodied voices, crying, and distant moaning are often heard.
• Specific Patterns: Doors open and close on their own, and heavy equipment occasionally shifts without explanation. Electronics malfunction, and visitors feel sudden nausea or dizziness, especially in the medical bay and below deck.
• Notable Ghostly Figures:
  • A ghostly nurse, possibly connected to the ship’s time as a makeshift morgue, has been seen walking the corridors.
  • Shadowy figures, believed to be former sailors, are often glimpsed out of the corner of visitors’ eyes.
  • Some visitors report seeing ghostly bodies lying on the tables in the medical bay, only for the apparitions to vanish when approached.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• Who are the ghosts? Many believe the spirits aboard are a mix of sailors who served on the ship and victims brought aboard after the Greek earthquake. Some also speculate that traumatic incidents during training exercises left residual hauntings.
• What do visitors report? Guests report feelings of being watched, unexplained cold breezes, and whispering voices calling their names. Some have felt unseen hands brushing against them or tugging at their clothing.
• Local Folklore: According to local lore, the spirits of women and children from the Greek disaster, whose bodies were stored on the ship, never truly left. These restless souls are said to roam the decks, forever tied to the vessel that temporarily became their grave.
• Urban Legends: One enduring legend tells of a ghostly sailor who died during a machinery accident. Visitors claim his anguished cries can still be heard, echoing through the engine room late at night.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

• Location: The Medical Bay is widely considered the most haunted area on the USS Salem. Visitors report hearing the clinking of surgical tools, faint crying, and the sensation of being touched by invisible hands. Many paranormal investigators have captured EVP recordings of whispered pleas and disembodied voices in this section.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: Approximately $10-$20 (varies based on tour type)
• Tour Availability: Guided paranormal investigations are regularly offered, particularly on weekends and around Halloween.
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Typically 10 AM – 5 PM, with special nighttime ghost tours by reservation.

Best Time to Visit

• Best Time: Late fall and winter months, when the ship is quieter and atmospheric conditions seem to heighten paranormal activity.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

• Paranormal investigators have captured chilling EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), including cries for help and the eerie phrase, “Don’t leave me here.”
• One visitor reported seeing a shadowy figure walking into the medical bay. When they followed, the room was completely empty, but they heard a loud metallic clang from behind them.
• A former tour guide claimed to have seen the ghostly nurse in full uniform, silently standing in the hallway before vanishing into thin air.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• The USS Salem has been featured on several paranormal TV shows, including Ghost Hunters and Most Terrifying Places in America.
• Investigators have recorded dramatic temperature drops, poltergeist-like activity, and numerous EVPs.
• Thermal cameras have picked up human-shaped heat signatures in areas known to be empty, and motion sensors often trigger with no physical cause.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Warnings: Due to the ship’s age, certain areas are off-limits for safety reasons, including parts of the lower decks where rust and decay have made passage dangerous. Visitors are strongly warned not to wander off from designated tour paths.

Final Note

The USS Salem is more than a relic of naval history — it’s a chilling reminder that death at sea can leave a permanent mark. Whether you’re a history buff, a ghost hunter, or a thrill-seeker, this haunted warship offers a journey into both maritime legend and the supernatural.