Laura Wright 
On the coast of Long Beach currently resides a legend that is open to the public. The RMS Queen Mary is a historic liner that used to be one of the finest cruise ships. Mary embarked on her maiden voyage in 1936. She carried passengers across the Atlantic until World War II.
During the second World War, Mary was a troopship that moved quickly and could ferry the Allied troops from one side of the ocean to another. German submarines were a constant threat, but the ship escaped the war with only reports of nearly capsizing due to a massive wave.
Mary was retired in 1967 and many corporate entities clamored for her hull. An Asian scrap metal company nearly purchased the ship, however she was destined for more than scrap.
Mary found her way to the coast of Long Beach as a tourist attraction. Luckily, she was also the perfect capacity for a maritime museum. When creative minds came together to decide her fate, she housed many restaurants, is currently a hotel, and has been classified as a building.
The renovation required that her propellers and machinery be removed, but that did not harm the structure as a whole. As a matter of fact, it opened up much room inside the ship for even more valuable use.
As soon as the ship was parked on the California coast, rumors of paranormal events began. Reports have been made of apparitions, voices, and a ghostly dog. In 1966, one of the final deaths to occur on board happened to a young man. An 18-year-old fireman was working in the engine room. Somehow, he was crushed when a watertight door closed on him.
The nursery area of the ship, which is now a playroom, has been known to host the sounds of unseen children crying and laughing. After the first-class pool was drained, people could still hear others in the room splashing and playing in the water.
To add to her mystique, the producers of the popular “X-Files,” used the ship during the episode, “Triangle,” which is supposed to take place in the Bermuda Triangle. The Queen Mary made an excellent World War II ship.
The ship welcomes guests of all kinds, including those who want to do paranormal investigation. This is so popular that the ship even offers private tours for paranormal investigators for a nominal fee.
Despite her age, the Queen Mary promises to be a memorable destination for the curious tourist.
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