USS YORKTOWN
DATE VISITED: APR 10, 2022
LOCATION: CHARLSTON, SC
HISTORY:
The USS Yorktown (CV/CVA/CVS-10) is one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. Initially to have been named Bonhomme Richard, she was renamed Yorktown while still under construction, after the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier USS Yorktown(CV-5), which was sunk at the Battle of Midway. She is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, though the previous ships were named for 1781 Battle of Yorktown. Yorktown was commissioned in April 1943, and participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.
CONDITION(S) OF LOCATION:
The ship is in an excellent preserved condition overall. The smell of grease, fuel and oil still permeates the interior and hits you as soon as you step inside (You also take the smell home with you on your clothes). The area where we did the investigation was at the bow of the ship and this area was more in disrepair. Lighting is more sparse and some areas have been cordoned off due to safety. Paint here is flaking from the walls and a lot of the metal has rusted.
Due to the ships location and the time of day, noise pollution was at a all time minimal. Within the ships depths no external noise could be heard whatsoever, although in places there was a hum from the electrics. The doors to the hangar are continuously open and a bird was heard chirping inside. When asked, we were assured by our guide that no animals have been reported getting within the area that we were to be investigating.
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MOUNT PLEASANT, SC:
Sun Rise | Transit | Sunset | Sun Rise (Next Day) |
6:54 A.M. | 1:20 P.M. | 7:47 P.M. | 6:52 A.M. |
Moon Phase | Moon Rise | Crosses Meridian | Illumination | Moon Set |
Waxing Gibbous (63.2%) | 1:42 P.M. (NE) | 9:01 P.M. (79°) | 62% | 3:34 A.M. (NW) |
Minimum Temperature | 46.2 °F |
Mean Temperature | 55.7 °F |
Maximum Temperature | 71.6 °F |
Mean Sea Level Pressure | 30.04 IN |
Mean Dew Point | No data. |
Total Precipitation (Rain and/or melted snow reported during the day) | 0.00 IN |
Visibility | No data. |
Snow Depth (Last report for the day if reported more than once) | 0.00 IN |
Mean Wind Speed | 5.87 MPH |
Maximum Sustained Wind Speed | 10.24 MPH |
Maximum Wind Gust | No data. |
INVESTIGATORS & PEOPLE PRESENT AT INVESTIGATION:
Matt (Team H)
Elizabeth (Team H)
Lexi (Team H Crew)
Brent (Team H Crew)
Tad Legare (Tour Guide)
Separate Party of Investigators x2
EQUIPMENT USED BY INVESTIGATORS:
Audio Recorders:
Tascam DR-08
Cameras:
Go-Pro Hero 7
Cell Phones
Digital Video Camera
Minolta MN35Z
Trail Camera
Other:
Dowsing Rods
Flashing Cat Toys x4
Laser Grid Pens x2
Motion Detectors x3
Ovilus (Ghost Hunting Tools)
Pendulum
Phasma Box
REPORT & FINDINGS:
ENGINE ROOM:
Ovilus picked up the word Dying and Burn as we walked past the burner.
Ovilus picked up the word Weather. Our guide said that this part of the ship would have felt the most motion due to weather conditions.
A light in the engine room started flickering as we walked around the gantry then stopped when some of the party got closer. As Brent put his mobile phone up to the area where the light was flashing, a high pitched noise was heard. This can also be heard on video/audio recordings. It could have possibly been someone's electrical device possibly?
As we were leaving the area the light started flickering again but this time it was much faster, more so like a strobe. As Matt approached it to investigate further it stopped. Everyone in the party witnessed this. Our guide said that it did not look like Morse Code but thinks that it is definitely the ship wanting to communicate.
From the engine room we traversed the stairwells and gantries to head to the bow of the ship where we would be doing the bulk of our investigating. On the way we discussed the story of the pilot who went missing from the ship and was never seen of again and walked through the hangar area where we got to see lots of historic military aircraft and memorabilia.
When we reached the area of investigation we were briefed on what sightings and evidence that has been noted here previously before entering... and at this point the EMF meters started going crazy!
LOWER BOW DECKS:
A base station was set up in a larger well lit room, where we could store gear or have a place to come back too to decompress if feeling overwhelmed. After prepping gear we then entered the claustrophobic corridors and rooms that were dimly lit and in disrepair. Here we would be shown around the area we were allowed to investigate (for safety reasons) and then we could be left to our own devices.
As we walked along one of our party said she heard someone say "Hello" in one of the rooms that we passed by. On further examination no one was found to be within the room and all was quiet.
On reaching the Battle Dress Station we were told that the area there tends not to be very active. This was quite true, as Matt spent some time here with REM pods and an Ovilus, but no responses were recorded and the atmosphere in there felt fine, which was strange considering the suffering and most probable deaths that would have occurred in there.
Matt and Brent had a strange experience happen in one of the sleeping quarter rooms. In the room was a double stacked safe for storing valuables. Brent got the word Money on his Ovilus as he was standing next to the safe. Whilst we discussed that happening we both heard what sounded like something hitting the metal wall or bed that was the opposite side to us. It was loud and distinct. We were the only two in this area at the time an neither one of us was moving enough to accidently kick or bump anything into that area to have made the sound.
Elizabeth had some success using the Phasma Box in the area that was further below. Responses were so frequent that she decided to turn it off to try and use more traditional methods in communicating. Faint, slight tapping, or knocking sounds could be heard from the two rooms that she was sat across from. Matt joined her briefly and could confirm this also.
On leaving we turned around to take a few more photo's and to see this wonderful ship up close one last time. As we did, one of the lights above the exit stairwell started flashing. This light did not flash once on our long walk down the jetty towards the Yorktown. It was as if she was using the light to wave and say goodbye to us.
END THOUGHTS:
This ship is very active indeed! We were so happy with the evidence that we managed to get, despite the short amount of time that we had on board.
In the words from Tad Legare, our guide that night, he sums up the Yorktown perfectly:
"I have come to believe that she is a living breathing being. She is definitely sentient, she definitely has memories, and personality."
SPECIAL THANKS:
Our guide, Tad Legare. Your passion and knowledge of the ship was wonderful to see and hear.
Lexi and Brent for teaming up with us and taking part in their first paranormal investigation. We hope to meet up again with you both in the near future for more sp00ky adventures.
