Florida Gulf Coast University



Group 1

Kristina Gallo, John Webster, Nevin Woulas, Sharon Mammano

1/23/05

IDS 3303

Ghosts and Hauntings

Ghosts and hauntings, also known as paranormal phenomena are unexplained and abnormal experiences that people witness. These events occur without any apparent scientific explanations behind them and allow ones mind to delve into the superstition in search of answers. In the scientific and technological times we live in today these paranormal phenomena such as seeing a ghost or experiencing a haunting are being looked upon from more of a skeptical point of view in hope of finding a scientific answer to explain unexplainable events. There are stories throughout history involving the paranormal where the unexplained was accepted as evil spirits, or the actions and desires of the gods here on Earth, or tormented spirits left here with unfinished business, but in our modern scientific world people now seek out answers and search for truths to the unexplained.

Ghost stories and hauntings are very popular. From the time we are children ghost stories are first told to us as forms of entertainment or to go along with the theme of Halloween. They are instilled into our psyche at a young age and stay with us over the years because they scare us, intrigue us, make us wonder, and allow fantasy to manifest in our minds. No one has been able to prove without any reasonable doubt that ghosts exist or a place is haunted. For decades now people have attempted to prove otherwise in a scientific means, through the application of technology, but have still not been capable of doing so.

Of the more popular of ghost stories, which has been around for centuries, are phantom ships. This combination of “ghosts and ships seem to go together in the popular imagination, combining the romance of the sea with the spine-tingling lure of hauntings” (Nickell). Joe Nickell is one of the leading investigators of paranormal phenomena in the country. Nickell has “appeared on “Oprah”, “20/20”, “Larry King Live,” and dozens of other television shows,” and “he has written or co-written six-teen books” (Bilger). Currently he works with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal or CSICOP. He conducted one particular investigation of a phantom ship in the Mahone Bay, in Nova Scotia. This vessel had supposedly caught fire in 1813 and all on board died. The ship was called the Young Teazer, and the phenomenon has come to be known as the Teazer Light, where the fiery ship can be seen on foggy nights under a full moon. In 1999 Nickell went to observe the apparition for him self, but saw nothing. He later encountered a witness, who on his own came to realize what he actually saw was the moon raising behind a cloud of fog. This encounter was an illusion leading to the explanation for the previous sightings. The point is that one can be fooled into seeing what they want to or believe. There had never been any concrete verifiable evidence to prove there was ever a fiery ship out in the bay.

Another story involving a haunted ship is about the USS Hornet. This aircraft carrier fought in the Pacific and has the most distinguished record during World War II. It came under attack fifty-nine times, destroyed 1,410 Japanese aircraft, and supported almost all amphibious landings after March 1944. It was then involved in the Vietnam War and was the main recovery ship for Apollo 11 and 12. The USS Hornet was decommissioned in 1970 and sold for scrap in 1993. Four years later it was saved from becoming scrap and converted into a museum. Reports of paranormal activity began to occur once the public was aloud to visit the ship in 1995. In efforts to acquire funds for restoration, press releases began promoting the ship as a “Ship of Spirits”. On Halloween in 2001 a “Monster Bash aboard the Gray Ghost” was held advertising the telling of real ghost stories.

Joe Nickell investigated the carrier and reported to find “nothing to suggest that there are any odd entities on the USS Hornet other than, well, haunted people” (Nickell).

The purported paranormal activity such as unidentified noises, which are completely plausible on an old metal ship and the claims by a man sleeping on board that something was tugging him can be explained as illusions or a waking dream. Especially with all the hype built up about the vessel being haunted. Once the idea that a place is haunted or ghosts have been seen, over time a stigma builds on the place, and anything unusual becomes correlated with the haunting, so it just continues to grow. This only intensifies with the promotion of a haunting on the USS Hornet.

Although more often then not a rational explanation may explain away our beliefs in life after death, there are still many who believe. There is also a large amount of tradition and unexplained occurrences to back them up. The idea that the human spirit lives on after its physical departure from earth is as old as time (Hines). No matter what religion a person claims as their own the belief of some sort of life after death is evident in their teachings. People are taught to follow guidelines throughout their lives in order to have a pleasant afterlife. When at their place of worship followers pray to a God they have never seen and to their deceased relatives and loved ones. None have been able to prove that someone answered them back, but they still believe. So many people believe in one religion or another that there are Churches, Synagogues, and Temples all over the world. Many followers have experienced some sort of occurrence that they feel must have been an act of God. Some stories are more convincing then others because of the unexplainable circumstances surrounding the story.

The most convincing reports of ghosts and other paranormal phenomena have always come from eyewitnesses (Hines). The Bible is written from stories of eyewitness accounts of amazing miracles that occurred. Many ghost stories that seem undeniably true come from reconstructions of the setting and circumstances. Most accepted stories that actually are investigated come from what people would consider a reliable source. A reliable source would be someone who is likeable and intelligent. This would usually be an adult who is free of drugs and considered mentally healthy (Center for Paranormal). These people who have experienced paranormal phenomena have many options of research available to them on the Internet. There are many research centers all across the world that focus on the study of these phenomena.

In Virginia there is a center of Paranormal Research and Investigation. They have a website full of unexplainable stories of phenomena that has no rational explanation. They also research and investigate each claim in order to learn more about what is explainable and what isn’t (Center for paranormal). Because these stories are being documented and investigated it is adding validity to the notion that there must be another cause for things we cannot explain. They have videos and pictures to prove people’s claims. The unfortunate truth about these mediums is that they can be easily tampered with, and therefore unreliable evidence. There has not been a suitable amount of reliable evidence to prove the existence of the paranormal scientifically. Many are nonbelievers of mainstream religion and stories of the paranormal because they do not have any hard evidence that can convince them.

In the search for the paranormal, there are established scientific methods for hunting down the apparitions. It is believed that contact can be made with those who have chosen not to depart the world. Ghost hunters have sought to turn their passion into science by utilizing technology to communicate with ghosts. The process to accomplish this takes two forms: the technical form, in which certain machines are used to scientifically search for these entities; and the physical preparation, in which basic precautionary instructions should be followed.

According to Winter Steel’s Paranormal Information & Stories Of The Unexplained, there are many basic steps to follow in preparation to hunt ghosts that do not even deal with technology. Most importantly they stress to remain absolutely calm throughout the duration of the hunt, as you can possibly injure yourself if you become frightened and attempt to run away. It is also suggested that ghost hunts are done in groups, this will create a safer environment where each member of the group can look out for one another. Something particularly interesting that the author suggests is what is known as an “impenetrable white light bubble of mental/spiritual energy”. The ghost hunter is supposed to imagine being surrounded by this bubble. It is explained that while there is not necessarily any real energy being drawn around you, it is a practice that helps the mind to focus and does a great deal to boost confidence on the part of the hunter. Another tip offered is that if the opportunity permits, the ground upon which you are investigating should be researched prior to the hunt, preferably during the daytime. This allows for a smoother journey through the area at nighttime. Winter Steel also recommends what type of clothing should be worn during a ghost hunt. It is suggested that ghost hunters wear pants, as opposed to shorts, to ensure they do not receive any cuts or bruises, as well as a good pair of shoes, to allow for maximum comfort during what is sure to be a very long walk.

On the technological side of ghost hunting, many items are recommended in order to be a successful ghost hunter. The Philadelphia Ghost Hunter’s Alliance suggests the following: a camera with film, an Electro-Magnetic Field Detector, a compass, a thermometer, thermal scanner, a video camera (with night vision), thermal imaging scopes, an audio recorder, and motion detectors. Cameras are most frequently used to capture evidence of a ghostly appearance. The PGHA recommends a 35 mm camera, but states that any kind will be sufficient. Electro-Magnetic Field Detectors are used to measure changes in the electro-magnetic fields in the area. If the possibility of other magnetic sources has been ruled out and the EMF detector is doing something, it suggests the presence of some sort of apparition. The PGHA suggest that if an EMF detector is too expensive, a compass works well in its place. A ghost should make the needle on the compass turn about 30-35 degrees away from north. Thermometers and thermal scanners are used to read changes in temperature, and cold spots usually represent the appearance of a ghost. Video cameras should be brought along to capture strange occurrences on motion film. An audio recorder will come in handy as well because of the intriguing event known as Electronic Voice Phenomena, or EVP. It is believed that when a tape is played back after the hunt, you may be able to hear the dead communicate with the ghost hunters. Lastly, a motion detector will alert you to movement in a room or area where there should not be any.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into the investigation of the paranormal, and surely these web sites, along with many other people who get involved in these activities believe this is a real science. However, many of the tools used in investigations lead to results that can be interpreted from an array of different perspectives, not merely as evidence of a ghost. For instance, the EVP supposedly provides proof of ghosts by showing their attempts to communicate with us. However, it is entirely possible that the investigators are hearing faint sounds that could be misconstrued as words, and the fact that they want to hear something makes them all the more certain that they are. The EMF detectors are surely very susceptible to other electronic interferences, and despite the investigators cautiousness, there may still be interference from somewhere they are unaware of. The experimentation is inconclusive, and despite the fact that hunters can believe whatever they want to believe, it is still not definitive “science”, it is pseudoscience

Many stories about ghosts and hauntings are found in history. They can be traced back through people that have died and are continuing to haunt different locations. There have been countless interactions and sightings of ghosts, but nobody really admits in believing in those things (Lapham, 55). The thought of entities existing outside our

well-known scientific humanity is very scary. Usually tales about sightings are happening at night in older hotels, cemeteries, or other such places with some history behind them.

One of these sightings happened in the South Seas Resort, on Captiva Island, Florida. In the hotel, next to a small historic cemetery a block away, employees have heard and seen things happening supposedly by a baker, who passed away, and a former manager who died on the premises. Employees at this resort have reported strange figures on pictures, footsteps, music, noises, and even objects moved from their original placement. “The resort is a former plantation where many slaves were killed and still walk the ground” (shadowlands). Hotel guests at the St. Francis Inn, in Saint Augustine, Florida, have reported sightings. One visitor explained seeing a young girl, dressed in white, appearing and disappearing on numerous occasions. Also, “lights have been turned on and off, and coffee pots turned themselves on and off as well,” (Lapham, 37). There were numerous other sightings throughout Florida as well, such as in Gainesville, Tampa, Kissimmee, Fort Lauderdale, Venice, and many other places. One of the oldest hotels in Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Riverwalk supposedly has had very active paranormal activity around the midnight hours since the early 1900’s. Reports have stated the static appearances of men and women creeping around and peering out of windows. On roads in Jacksonville, motorcyclists and even police officers have claimed to see mystifying balls of light hovering behind them. Another place, well known to the locals of Naples, Florida, the Witch’s Brew restaurant and nightclub, has had strange things happen. Allegedly, shadowlike figures have been walking around switching off lights, and unplugging musical equipment. Coconut Grove, in Miami, is another sight believed to be haunted. As the story goes a young girl committed suicide in the seventies, and “these days the girl is being spotted walking around, usually at night,” (shadowlands). At a cemetery in West Palm Beach, also on Florida’s east coast, bizarre smog in the appearance of an individual moving has been seen manifesting. In Tallahassee, Florida State University is said to be haunted. Students have reported the mysterious movement of objects and an overpowering sense of another person being present.

The credibility of these stories is difficult to consider. It is said to be all in our minds and the unconscious. People see all kinds of things because they want to. They desire to believe that something else is out there, facilitating peoples’ belief in the unreal and fantastic. For example, there might be a grieving widow, who seeks the comfort of knowing her dead husband is well and happy. The science, the evidence, and the theory are just not apparent, haunted places are by and large viewed upon as a pseudoscience.

Throughout the history of paranormal activity involving ghosts and hauntings there have been no instances of absolute undeniable proof that they exist. The solid scientific evidence needed as proof cannot be found. As Paul Kurtz founder of CSICOP put it, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The idea that ghosts are real, and places are haunted, are purely pseudoscience since there is no science to support otherwise. Testimony, the main source of this paranormal evidence is unreliable it can often be associated with wishful thinking and fantasy which is largely what believers must base their thinking on. Generally, these claims have a natural explanation behind them.

Works Cited

Bilger, Burkhard. “Waiting For Ghosts.” The New Yorker Vol. 78, Iss. 40.

Dec 23, 2002 pg. 86. 18 Jan 2005

This article is about the famous paranormal investigator Joe Nickell. This source is current being just around two years old and can be reliable because Bilger has written a number of other articles for the popular magazine The New Yorker. This source helped in finding information about Joe Nickell whose name had come up many times while researching.

Brandy, Stark. “How To Conduct a Safe Ghost Hunt.” Winter Steel: Paranormal

Information and Stories of the Unexplained. 1 August 2001. 16 Jan 2005.

This information page provides safety tips to practice while on ghost hunts,

as well as basic information on equipment that will be needed on your hunt.

Brandy Stark runs a ghost-hunting group in St. Petersburg, FL called S.P.I.R.I.T.S. (Servicing Paranormal Investigators Reporting Information Through Study). Their findings are reported in Bayside News. This page is very good in presenting the common safety

tips, but a little light on knowledge of the actual equipment to be used.

Hines, Terence. Pseudoscience and the Paranormal. Prometheus Books.

Buffalo, N.Y. 1988.

Hines examines the paranormal and explanations dismissing and supporting views and evidence. He is a respected psychologist at Pace University and a member of the New York Academy of science.

Juliano, Dave, and Tina Carlson. Haunted Places in Florida. October 2004. 20 January

2005.

The above source is a website that lists all haunted places in Florida. The authors are experienced researchers of ghost sightings for many years. They both run their own research groups, and help people to cope with different incidents. This electronic site has been published for 11 years. It goes over historic and also very recent ghost sightings. The website helped me to find a lot of places that were said to be haunted

Kurtz, Paul. “Paranormal Phenomena Should Be Approached with Skepticism”

Paranormal Phenomena. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,

2003. 30-39.

This chapter deals with the idea that paranormal phenomena should be viewed upon from a skeptical point of view, because so far nothing has been proven with solid scientific evidence. This book is a good source because it contains opposing viewpoints and is written by known professionals and prominent spokespeople on the issues. Kurtz a leading figure in this field and is the founder of CSICOP which enlists scientists, skeptics, philosophers, magicians, and other professionals to investigate paranormal phenomena. This source helped in developing the point of view of this paper.

Lapham, Dave. Ghosts of St. Augustine. Sarasota: Pineapple Press, 1997. 20 January

2005.

In this book, Dave Lapham talks about different stories from St. Augustine’s history of creepy ghost sightings. Dave, the author, is a retired Marine officer, that published prize winning stories, who beliefs in ghosts. At the moment he is a project manager in a company in Orlando. “Ghosts of St. Augustine” has been published in 1997, and it covers old and current stories and tales. The book helped me to get insights about ghost sightings in this particular region.

Lewis & Sharon Gerew. "Equipment". Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance. 1997.

19 January 2004.

This page gives a detailed list of the various equipment needed when hunting

for ghosts. It provides detailed descriptions and also tells you of cheaper alternatives in some cases. Lewis & Sharon Gerew have had various paranormal experiences throughout their lives and created the Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance (the first group for ghost hunting in the area) in 1997 and since then have won many awards praising their investigations of the paranormal. The equipment list provided on this page is very useful and I found it to be quite thorough.

Nickell, Joe. “Ships of the Dead.” The Skeptical Inquirer Vol. 28, Iss. 5. Sep/Oct 2004

pg. 11-15. 18 Jan 2005

This article contains popular ghost ship stories and the investigations of them conducted by Nickell. This source is very current and is reliable because Joe Nickell is one of the leading experts in the area of ghosts and hauntings. This source makes up the body of the research and paper. The article is general and would be more helpful if it were more specific in its ghost stories

The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation. May 15th, 2000. January

19th, 2005.

Formerly the VA Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society. They have been active in the Northeast for two decades researching and studying the paranormal. They are skeptics that question each claim of the paranormal experience. This enables them to research what is truly unexplainable to science in an effort to uncover if there truly is paranormal evidence.

Web Evaluations

Author: Burkhard Bilger a writer for The New Yorker.

Site’s Sponsor/Publisher: The site’s sponsor is Proquest a commercial business that provides full text online databases of magazines and journals.

Purpose: This source informs readers on popular subjects and also provides entertainment in it as well.

Accuracy: The information in this periodical is accurate. The author refers to other works and provides a bibliography.

Timeliness: The source was published in 2002.

Suitability: This resource had good information about one of the leading figures in paranormal investigations.

Uniqueness: This is also available in print the source is a periodical.

Author: Joe Nickell a leading expert in paranormal phenomena.

Site’s Sponsor/Publisher: The site’s sponsor is Proquest a commercial business that provides full text online databases of magazines and journals.

Purpose: The purpose of this source is to provide investigative information on popular subjects and provide answers.

Accuracy: This information is accurate the author provides support for his arguments and refers to other works.

Timeliness: This source was published recently only two months ago.

Suitability: This source was the basis of the paper.

Uniqueness: This is also available in print the source is a periodical.

Who is the author?

1.Terence Hines, an assistant professor of psychology at Pace University, and a member of New York Academy of Sciences.

2. Members of the Center for paranormal research and investigation in Virginia.

Who is the publisher?

1.Prometheus Books. Buffalo, N.Y.

2. The Center for Paranormal Research scientists.

What is the purpose of this resource?

1. To critically examine evidence of the paranormal.

2. To prove or disprove ghost sightings.

Is the information accurate?

1. Yes

2. Yes

When was the source published?

1. 1988

2. May 15th, 2000

Does the source have the information you need?

1. Yes

2. Yes

Is the information still relevant?

1. Yes

2. Yes

Who is the author? The authors are, Dave Juliano, and Tina Carlson. Dave has been researching ghosts for over 19 years. He is the director of “South Jersey Ghost Research”. He has had personal experiences, plus consulted 1000’s of cases.

Tina, also experienced with ghosts, has been assisting people for 8 years. She runs her own group called “Las Vegas Society of Supernatural Investigations”.

Who is the site’s sponsor/publisher? It is a network related organization. The publisher is, shadowworld@.

What is the purpose of the resource? It is to inform readers about sightings that have happened to different people throughout Florida. Those are personal experiences written by citizens of these places. It is to help people to cope with their fears.

Is the information accurate? I belief so; two of their references are, Anne Palagruto from “”, and the Shadowlands Assistant Director, Sheri Sarkis.

When was the source published? It has been in the works for almost 11 years.

Does the resource have the information you need? Yes, it sites all the places in Florida that have haunted places. The material is written at a level I can understand.

Is the information still relevant? Yes, the last time this site was revised was in October of 2004. The last entry was on January 4th, 2005.

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