Fitch Bits: Ghosts of the USS Salem

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DID YOU KNOW the USS Salem is hella haunted?

Commissioned in 1949 as a heavy cruiser for the U.S. Navy, the USS Salem wasn’t just any ship. It was the flagship of the Sixth Fleet which is, you know, fancy. This 717-foot-long hunk of ship patrolled the Mediterranean during the Cold War.

Although the Salem never saw combat, it had its fair share of dark moments. It served as a floating hospital for victims of a devastating 1953 earthquake in Greece. Hundreds of wounded and deceased were brought aboard, beginning a spectral legacy that ghost hunters just can’t ignore.

The ship was decommissioned in 1959, but its story was far from over. In 1994, it became a museum, and that’s when the weirdness began. Visitors started reporting unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and phantom smells of gunpowder. If you’ve ever wondered what ghosts might smell like, apparently, it’s a mix of 1950s cologne and artillery.

Anyway, the USS Salem isn’t haunted by just one ghost. This ship is practically a spirit cruise liner.

The Shadowy Sailor

This guy seems to have been a bit of a workaholic in life because he hasn’t clocked out since 1959. Known for wandering the lower decks, the Shadowy Sailor has been spotted by visitors and staff alike. Sometimes, he’s just standing there, staring ominously, and other times, he’s strolling through walls like it’s no big deal.

The Lady in White

What haunted location would be complete without a Lady in White? The USS Salem delivers on this trope with its own elegant apparition. Legend has it she’s connected to the earthquake victims, but no one knows her exact story. Maybe she’s waiting for someone to return her sailor hat, or perhaps she just really enjoys the ship’s ambience. Either way, she’s a regular guest on ghost tours.

The Noisy Kids

Even children’s ghosts make an appearance. The ship’s hospital ward is said to be home to the spirits of young earthquake victims. Visitors report hearing disembodied giggles and the occasional sound of tiny running feet. If you’re brave enough to listen closely, you might even catch a faint voice saying, “Tag, you’re it!” Terrifying and adorable.

Paranormal Activities

So, what exactly happens on the USS Salem? Let’s break it down:

Phantom Footsteps: Visitors and staff often hear heavy boots clunking along the metal floors.

Disembodied Voices: From whispering in your ear to full-on yelling matches between invisible sailors, the ship’s ghosts are chatty.

Cold Spots: These abound on the haunted ship. You could say the USS Salem is colder than a witches… hat? Air conditioner? I guess I don’t actually know the end of that joke. That’s weird. 

Doors That Slam on Their Own: Nothing says “You’re not welcome here” like a metal door slamming shut behind you. Ghosts on the USS Salem are apparently big on boundaries!

Thanks for reading!

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