USS Hornet: The Most Haunted Ship in the Navy

The USS Hornet (CV-12), an Essex-class aircraft carrier that served from World War II through Apollo 11, earned eight battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. It also earned a reputation as the most haunted ship in the U.S. Navy. With over 300 documented deaths during service and decades of paranormal reports since becoming a museum ship, the Hornet offers something rare: a haunted location where the spirits have names.

The Ship’s History

Construction and Service

The USS Hornet was commissioned on November 29, 1943, named for the carrier lost at the Battle of Santa Cruz. Its service record includes:

World War II

• Participated in major Pacific campaigns
• Destroyed 1,410 enemy aircraft
• Suffered kamikaze attacks
• Lost numerous crew members in combat

Cold War Era

• Modernized for jet aircraft operations
• Served in Vietnam (though limited combat role)
• Participated in anti-submarine operations

Apollo Program

• Recovered Apollo 11 astronauts (first moon landing)
• Recovered Apollo 12 crew
• Most famous naval vessel in the space program

The Deaths

Throughout its service, the Hornet accumulated over 300 deaths:

• Combat casualties during WWII
• Operational accidents (flight deck is extremely dangerous)
• Suicides (unusually high number)
• Accidental deaths during normal operations

The Haunting

Museum Ship Era

The Hornet was decommissioned in 1970 and became a museum ship in Alameda, California, in 1998. Almost immediately, staff and visitors began reporting phenomena.

Security Guard Accounts

Security guards, often skeptics by nature, have documented:

• Footsteps on metal decks when no one is present
• Hatches opening and closing on their own
• Figures in WWII-era uniforms seen briefly then vanishing
• Cold spots in specific locations
• Equipment turning on by itself
• Voices calling names

Many guards have quit due to the experiences. Others have learned to accept the activity.

The Documented Spirits

Unlike many hauntings, the Hornet’s ghosts can often be identified:

The Officer on the Ladder A figure in officer’s khakis has been seen repeatedly near the island structure, possibly an officer who died on duty.

Catapult Crew Figures in WWII flight deck gear have been seen near the catapult areas, where numerous fatal accidents occurred.

The Suicide Victims At least three crew members are known to have died by suicide in specific locations. Activity is reported in each area.

The Marine Guard A Marine in dress uniform has been seen standing at attention in various locations.

Hotspots

The Forecastle

The bow area, where several deaths occurred:

• Shadow figures move among the equipment
• Cold spots appear randomly
• Visitors report feeling watched
• Photographs show anomalies

Sick Bay

The ship’s medical facility:

• Voices and moaning sounds recorded
• Feelings of sadness overwhelm visitors
• The presence of “someone suffering” is reported
• Equipment moves on its own

Engine Rooms

The massive engine spaces:

• Footsteps on metal catwalks
• Figures seen in engineer coveralls
• Equipment that activates independently
• Oppressive heat in cold areas

Officer’s Country

Officers’ berthing and wardroom:

• A specific officer appears repeatedly
• Doors open and close
• Personal effects are moved
• Voices are heard in conversation

Investigations

Paranormal Teams

The Hornet has hosted numerous investigations:

SyFy’s Ghost Hunters (TAPS) The team captured compelling evidence and declared it one of the most haunted locations they’d investigated.

Ghost Adventures Extensive investigation documented multiple phenomena.

Dozens of private groups Regular investigations consistently capture evidence.

Common Findings

Investigations typically record:

• EVP (electronic voice phenomena)
• Temperature anomalies
• EMF spikes with no electrical cause
• Photographs showing figures and mists
• Personal experiences (being touched, hearing voices)

Staff Experiences

Museum staff report:

• Seeing sailors who aren’t there
• Hearing orders being given
• Objects moving in closed spaces
• Overwhelming feelings in certain areas
• Personal interactions with presences

Why So Haunted?

The Violence Theory

Over 300 deaths, many sudden and violent:

• Combat deaths during WWII
• Flight deck accidents
• Engine room casualties
• Suicides

Such concentrated trauma may leave an imprint.

The Complexity Theory

Aircraft carriers are like floating cities:

• Thousands of men lived aboard
• Strong emotional connections formed
• Many died far from home
• The ship became their world

The Preservation Theory

Unlike demolished buildings:

• The ship still exists
• Original structure is intact
• Equipment remains in place
• Environment hasn’t changed

If ghosts attach to locations, the Hornet provides an unchanged “home.”

The Experience Today

Overnight Programs

The Hornet offers paranormal sleepovers:

• Groups can stay aboard overnight
• Access to investigation equipment
• Staff guidance to active areas
• Documented encounters are common

Regular Reports

Even daytime visitors experience:

• Feelings of presence
• Temperature changes
• Unusual photographs
• Brief sightings

Staff Acceptance

Museum staff have accepted the phenomena:

• New employees are briefed
• Experiences are documented
• The haunting is part of the ship’s story
• The spirits are treated with respect

The Question of Identity

What makes the Hornet unusual is knowing who the ghosts might be:

• Service records document who served and died
• Specific deaths match reported activity locations
• The ghosts wear period-appropriate uniforms
• Some seem aware of the living

These aren’t anonymous spirits - they’re sailors, Marines, and officers who gave their lives serving their country.

Legacy

The USS Hornet represents:

• Naval history and sacrifice
• The cost of military service
• The persistence of human presence
• The possibility that death is not the end

Whether one believes the ship is haunted or that psychological factors explain the experiences, the Hornet offers something profound: a place where the dead are not forgotten, where their service is honored, and where they may - in some form - still stand their watch.

The ship that recovered astronauts from the Moon carries its own crew of souls. They served in life. Perhaps they serve still.