The Queen Mary was bigger, faster and mightier than the Titanic.  She was constructed at the John Brown shipyard in Clyde, Scotland and made her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936.  
 
At one time, the Ocean liner hosted elaborate parties where royalty, world leaders and top entertainment figures enjoyed fine wine and seven course meals.  

From 1940-1946, she was transformed into a carrier ship aiding forces during World War II.  She is said to have carried over 760 thousand military personnel.  She was painted a drab-gray to keep her hidden in the misty waters, giving her the nickname “The Gray Ghost.”

The psychic Mable Fortescue-Harrison predicted that the Queen Mary would know its greatest fame when she no longer sailed.  It seems her prediction came true .  The ship is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is permanently docked in Long Beach, California.  It contains the Hotel Queen Mary with 365 restored original First Class staterooms.  It has a maritime museum and has had numerous exhibits with the artifacts from the Titanic, the legendary Marilyn Monroe's personal possessions, and “Treasures of the Last Czar.”   It hosts the Scottish Highland Games every February, Art Deco Festivals, The annual Halloween Terrorfest, and the Annual Long Beach Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

Last year, they announced a new gathering—the “Ghostfest” a paranormal weekend.  It is scheduled this year for Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29, 2007, presented by the Queen Mary and Beyond Investigation Magazine. This weekend hosts scientific and spiritual investigation of poltergeists, psychic phenomena and ghost research.  The activities will focus on special after hours and late night tours.  There will be lectures, readings and vendors.

With so much to see and do, the Queen Mary attracts thousands of visitors every year whether it is to enjoy the exhibits or to experience first hand if she is truly haunted.  

Haunted tours are offered daily for fun with their theatrical version of Ghosts and Legends, but they also have a more serious view.  My friends and I took all three different tours, all interesting and informative.  We especially liked the paranormal evening excursion with Erika Frost.  She took us to places on the ship that weren’t assessable for view on any other tour.

Our evening with Ms. Frost began in the Observation Bar, which served first class passengers during the ship’s sailing days.  It is decorated in the art deco splendor of its time.  Through the lounge’s portholes, you can see the lights of Long Beach, giving you a romantic view across the bay.
 
We were given compasses and flashlights to carry on our tour.  The compasses were used like an EMF meter to detect any paranormal activity.  True North will never change, so if it begins to move, there is a good possibility of paranormal activity.      

On the haunted tour, they mentioned that there were ‘hot spots’ and vortexes throughout the ship.  The first class swimming pool and the dressing rooms being one of the most active of the paranormal sightings.  It is believed a woman was attacked in the pool’s dressing room and numerous psychics feel there is a negative energy that still lingers.  It has been reported a little girl’s laughter can be heard on occasion and a forlorn girl clutching a teddy bear has appeared to guests and staff.  They believe she may have drowned.  At times, they have heard splashing and have seen wet footprints leading to the changing rooms.  Another sighting is of a woman and a child dressed in 1940’s clothing standing near the gate leading to the pool.