Blog Post: Exploring the Haunted Engine Room of the RMS Queen Mary

By Juniper Ravenwood, Producer of The Shadow Frequency
Published: June 2, 2025

Deep below the decks of the RMS Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach, California, lies a place where the air feels heavier, the shadows darker, and the past refuses to rest. The engine room, a maze of steel pipes and silent turbines, is the beating heart of the ship’s haunted legacy. In Episode 123 of The Shadow Frequency, we dove into the chilling tales of ghostly mechanics and spectral echoes that make this space one of the most paranormal places on Earth. As the producer, I’m thrilled to share a deeper look into the mysteries we uncovered.

A Ship Steeped in History and Spirits

Launched in 1936, the RMS Queen Mary was a marvel of luxury and engineering, ferrying passengers across the Atlantic before serving as a troopship during World War II. Known as the “Grey Ghost,” it carried over 800,000 soldiers, but not without tragedy. The ship’s records note at least 49 deaths aboard, from natural causes to accidents, and none are more infamous than the story of John Pedder. In 1966, this 18-year-old crewman was crushed by the massive watertight Door 13 during a routine drill in the engine room’s Shaft Alley. His death marked the space forever, and visitors now report seeing a young man in blue overalls, whistling or searching for a lost wrench, only to vanish into thin air.

The Engine Room’s Paranormal Pulse

The engine room isn’t just a relic of maritime history—it’s a paranormal hotspot. Paranormal investigators have flocked here, armed with EMF meters and audio recorders, capturing evidence that defies explanation. EVPs whisper through the steel, sometimes pleading, “Get out… now.” Guests feel sudden chills, their breath visible in air that drops 10 degrees near Door 13. Some wake with unexplained grease marks on their faces, as if touched by spectral hands. Shadowy figures flicker in the dim light, and tools are heard clanging, though none are found. One investigator’s flashlight died inexplicably, only to work again outside the engine room’s oppressive atmosphere.

The ship’s wartime past adds another layer of mystery. In 1942, the Queen Mary collided with the HMS Curacoa, slicing the smaller ship in half and leaving over 300 sailors to drown in the freezing Atlantic. While this tragedy occurred outside the engine room, some believe the anguish of those lost souls seeps into the ship’s lower decks, their cries echoing through the metal walls. Could these spirits mingle with those of the mechanics who toiled below, creating a chorus of the restless dead?

A Haunting Question: Drownings in the Engine Room?

Tales of drownings often swirl around the Queen Mary, but our research suggests these may be misattributed. Stories of a young girl, Jacqueline Torin, drowning in the ship’s pool are well-known, yet no records confirm such an event. In the engine room, drowning claims are even less substantiated, possibly confused with the Curacoa incident or other ghostly lore. Still, the engine room’s oppressive energy makes it easy to believe something tragic lingers here, whether tied to water or steel.

Why the Engine Room Feels Alive

What makes the engine room so haunting? Perhaps it’s the sheer weight of history—decades of labor, sacrifice, and tragedy trapped in a confined space. The massive engines, now silent, seem to hum with residual energy, feeding the spirits that refuse to leave. Paranormal teams report EMF spikes and orbs of light on camera, while guests describe an unshakable feeling of being watched. The engine room is a place where time feels warped, where the boundary between the living and the dead grows thin.

Join Us in the Shadows

The Queen Mary’s engine room is more than a ghost story—it’s a testament to the power of place, where human history and the unexplained collide. Have you visited the ship or felt its spectral presence? Share your story with us at shadowpodcast@protonmail.com (mailto:shadowpodcast@protonmail.com) or leave a voicemail at shadowfrequencypodcast.com. Check out Episode 123 for the full journey, and explore our Shadow Blog for more paranormal insights. Until next time, keep listening for the frequencies that linger in the dark.

Juniper Ravenwood is the producer of The Shadow Frequency, a podcast dedicated to exploring the unexplained.