Spencer’s Ghost Hunting Adventures

I have always had an interest in the paranormal and ghosts in particular. That interest goes back to childhood.

A few years ago I saw my first apparition and have since had personal experiences with the otherworldly that I could not explain.

I have no doubts that there is a whole other world right up against our own that we might JUST be starting to understand. One day it will be second nature and common knowledge.

Being a fan of the Ghost Hunter shows on television, I found out about a ghost hunt and investigation aboard the USS Hornet, now a museum in Alameda across from San Francisco.

This Essex class aircraft carrier and its men served valiantly in World War II and although it came under attack dozens of times after leaving Pearl Harbor–it managed to avoid any torpedo or kamikaze attacks through the whole 18 months it served. It actually holds many records from its time in the War.

Not to mention its role in the Apollo 11 mission recovery. The footsteps taking by the astronauts are painted on the ground and young and old alike can retrace their historic steps.

As for the hunt, the Journey Paranormal Society and the Hornet team broke us up into teams and 24 of us had the ship almost to ourselves. You don’t realize how large an awe inspiring these ships are until you are on them. The length of three football fields SOUNDS long…but it is LONGER than it sounds.

It was lights out at 9m…and night vision cams, flashlights, digital recorders, EMF detectors came on for the 5 hour plus adventure. We even got to try out  a brand new thermal cam–the ones they show on TV where you see the temperature outlines of people and things around you.

Our group saw shadow figures…felt taps and a listener of mine who went actually got GRABBED by something that wasn’t there…at least to the eye. He was grabbed pretty hard, too. No one behind him.

This kind of stuff is common for those who work on board the ship. Full body apparitions are so frequently seen that they barely startle the regulars anymore. Souls long gone still roam the ship, in full uniform, some acting as if the War is still going on.

The team set up 16 video cameras throughout the sick bay area, which is where we spent the night. It was creepy but amazing to be sleeping in a bunk where the sick and injured slept so many years ago.

We even saw the bed that President Richard Nixon used when he was on the Hornet during the time of the Apollo 11 mission.

We ate pizza in the mess hall where thousands of sailors would hang out and socialize during their time to relax and eat. The mess hall and kitchen are some of the most actively haunted parts of the ship.

This trip was an amazing time and once in a lifetime opportunity. And it reminded me of the rich history that we need to pass on to the next generation.

Docents volunteer aboard the ship to guide children and parents, young and old, through this historic ship. Some of them served on the Hornet or other naval ships during over the years. Their wisdom and knowledge are to be cherished and soaked in. They even offer overnight stays for families several times a year. The ghost hunts are more rare, but worth every penny if you ever have the opportunity.

Later this month, the public will have the chance to meet Buzz Aldrin–one of the first two astronauts on the moon! Now THAT is history worth sharing.

We owe it to those who served and to America as a nation to preserve these monuments and share them with others.

Thanks to the whole team for salvaging the Hornet from the scrap yards where it almost ended up in the 90s to the majestic, living monument that it is today.

Make an effort to visit it and all the other such museums and monuments that are certainly available in your neck of the woods.