SS Great Britain

The SS Great Britain is a museum ship dry docked in Bristol, England.

The former vessel, once the largest passenger ship in the world, is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Bristol with a number of spirits linked to tragic events from the ship’s past.

SS Great Britain History

SS Great Britain, designed by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was an innovative passenger steamship built in Bristol in 1843.

It was operated by the Great Western Steamship Company and marked a significant advancement in maritime technology, featuring iron construction and a screw propeller.

At the time of its maiden voyage, SS Great Britain was the largest vessel in the world and held that title for nearly a decade.

The steamship’s construction was a turning point in the world of maritime transport. Made of iron, SS Great Britain was more reliable and energy-efficient than traditional wooden ships. It was initially designed for transatlantic travel, journeying between New York and Bristol. However, in the following years, the ship also travelled to Australia, carrying passengers and gold during the height of the Australian Gold Rush.

Throughout its lifespan, SS Great Britain’s roles evolved. The ship was repurposed and refitted several times. In addition to transporting passengers, it served as a cargo ship, a quarantine ship, a warehouse, and even a coal hulk in the Falkland Islands.

Although the ship’s days of active sailing came to an end, its historical significance did not fade. In 1970, SS Great Britain made the long journey back to its birthplace, Bristol, and has since been transformed into a popular museum ship.

SS Great Britain Ghosts

The SS Great Britain’s storied history has seen its fair share of tragic events, including suicides, murders, and devastating accidents.

140 deaths were recorded on board during the vessel’s 41 year service and many visitors have reported spine-chilling encounters with the restless spirits that are said to roam the decks and riggings of this nautical gem.

Some of the ship’s most infamous incidents include the tragic missteps of desperate sailors and passengers, who met their untimely ends either by their own hands or at the hands of others.

One of the most famous and enduring haunting tales associated with the SS Great Britain is that of Captain John Gray, a well-respected figure who commanded the ship during numerous transatlantic voyages. It is said that Captain Gray mysteriously disappeared one night during a voyage to New York, after falling ill.

Since then, visitors to the ship’s museum have reported encountering a spectral figure clad in a white naval uniform near the bow of the ship. This phantom sailor is believed by many to be the restless spirit of Captain Gray, still haunting the ship, long after his mysterious disappearance during a voyage.

Many theories have developed around his alleged fate, including suicide and murder for the gold he reportedly had in his cabin.

Another tragic tale from the ship’s history involves the mysterious death of a passenger named Mrs Cohen. Cohen was found lifeless at the foot of the ship’s dining table, her body covered in bruises and scratches.

The nature of her injuries suggested that she had been brutally attacked, but the identity of her assailant was never discovered. Paranormal investigators who have visited the ship claim to hear the distant sound of hobnail boots echoing throughout the vessel, as if the elusive culprit is still stalking the scene of their heinous crime.

In addition to these chilling tales, a myriad of ghostly encounters has been reported on the SS Great Britain.

From the ghostly sightings near the crew’s quarters to mysterious footsteps in the cabin areas, the ship remains a captivating destination for those interested in the darker side of its storied past.