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CONJECTURE is growing as to whether Brunel’s ss Great Britain is the UK’s ‘Most Haunted’ ship, following filming for the Living TV cult show.
The ‘Most Haunted’ crew reported that the ship was within the ‘top five’ most haunted places they had visited during programme-making.
The programme is due to be aired as part of the 11th series, sometime before Christmas.
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Staff and volunteers at the ss Great Britain Trust are aware of reports of onboard spooky goings on, but there had been no official investigation.
Karl Beattie, Executive Producer and Director, of Most Haunted said: “Definitely one of the top five scariest places we have ever visited with the entire crew, including parapsychologist Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe, very frightened by their experiences whilst on board.”
It seems likely that ghosts would call the ss Great Britain ‘home’. The ship’s rich story includes more than 30 years taking emigrants to Australia. More than 15,000 travelled on board, in pursuit of a better life following the discovery of gold.
Reported ghostly experiences on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain include:
- In 1999 consultant Derek Sinclair, a dour and skeptical Scot, was working alone at night in the ship’s Forward Hold, when he heard very distinctly and clearly the sound of boots climbing down the stairs inside the former Crew’s Quarters in the next compartment. Convinced that a colleague had come on board to find him, he put his head round the door only to find the space dark and empty. He rushed off the ship to see his colleague who had remained in the nearby office building, and who could confirm that no one else was even on site, let alone on board the ship.
- Two members of the events team, including ss Great Britain Trust Steward Bob Evans, hearing the sound of music playing.
- There is a story of a lady on the Promenade Deck, last ‘seen’ before completion of works for the ship’s ‘re-launch’ in 2005. Did the TV investigators find her?
- Martin Williamson, who acts as ‘Mr Brunel’ at the visitor attraction, saw the lower part of someone or something’s leg disappearing through a door.
- Those who claim to be sensitive to ghosts, have reported feeling the presence of a sad woman and children.
As well as many heart-warming tales, the ship’s history includes tragedy. Child mortality was high in Victorian times, and childbirth was a particularly dangerous time for women and their babies. Many poorer families also emigrated with older family members.
The ship’s doctors, although skilled, did not have access to today’s modern medicine, and many diseases, which now are easily treated with antibiotics, resulted in death.
Particularly tragic stories from the ss Great Britain’s history includes:
- The disappearance of the ship’s experienced, highly respected and well-loved captain, en route to England from Australia. His cabin window was found open. Whilst most believe that his death was suicide after a period of depression, some have claimed he was murdered for the gold stored in his cabin.
- The shock death of Mrs Cohen, aged 17, just weeks after her marriage. Fellow passengers and friends and crew on board had thought she was suffering from a cold.
The ss Great Britain Trust is currently looking at ways to meet the interest in ghosts, whilst staying true to the visitor attraction and museum’s ethos. A number of visitors have already come forward saying that they would like to stay on the ship overnight.
Whilst plans for 2009 are in the early stages, they are likely to include a sleep-over, and dusk ghost walk, as well as a fun trail for children.
Director of the ss Great Britain Trust Matthew Tanner commented: “We were delighted to welcome the film crew from Living TV’s Most Haunted, and were intrigued to learn that they thought the ship was within the ‘top five’ most haunted places they had visited.
“There have been stories over the years, and we are interested to learn more. Whilst not at liberty to divulge the film crew’s experiences, I am sure that fans of the television programme will not be disappointed. I understand that Yvette Fielding and the team had quite an eventful night!
“Certainly, I have been told by more than one reliable witness of strange activities, which would be difficult to attribute to anything but a ghost. We do not however want to frighten our visitors, especially children, and want to reassure them that staff members and volunteers are on site to provide extra safety in numbers if required!”
Other heritage sites, which are reported to be haunted include Highgate Cemetery in London, the Red Lion in Avebury, the Tower of London, and Berry Pomeroy Castle near Totnes.
- In the meantime staff members at the ss Great Britain Trust are asking members of the public to email sophinaj@ssgreatbritain.org with details of any haunted experiences they might have had on board.
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