Haunted Ship William A Irvin, Is It Really Haunted

For the second year in a row the William A Irvin has invited Duluth Paranormal Society to stay aboard the ship overnight and investigate again this year. Last year they collected stories and some film, using new technology and scientific methods to record proof or disprove. Click here to see.

The Midwest Paranormal Files group performed their investigation aboard the Irvin on June 18-19, 2011. Throughout the investigation, members of their team experienced many personal experiences. . A write-up of their experience can be found on their website: paranormalfiles.org

The Duluth Paranormal Society visited the William A. Irvin on October 4, 2012. Although their investigation was inconclusive, they are planning to come back to the ship this year to further investigate claims by several employees. Some have seen unexplained shadows throughout the ship. Some have heard the sound of footsteps when no one has been around. They have also had objects thrown at them while doing maintenance with no explanation.

The story behind the hauntings come from the Duluth News Tribune 1964:

“And International Falls seaman was scalded to death and two others were injured Saturday night in a boiler room accident aboard the steamer William A. Irvin as it was en route to Duluth for an iron ore cargo. Dead is William Wuori, 59. In fair condition at a Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, hospital are Leon Shuffitt Jr., Bensonville, Illinois, and Stanley Pennell, 43, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Irvin, a U.S. Steel Corp. vessel, was on its first trip of the year to the Head of the Lakes. It spent the winter at the lower lakes port. A U.S. Steel spokesman said Wuori, Shuffitt, and Pennell were on watch in the fireroom when a boiler tube broke. Water from the tube sprayed on the boiler and exploded into steam which scalded the men. The accident occurred in Whitefish Bay. The Irvin returned to Sault Ste. Marie. It had cleared the Soo Locks up-bound at 10:30pm Friday.”

After this accident, the Chief Engineer of the Irvin was suspended for negligence, due to the fact that this accident was entirely preventable.

Duluth Paranormal Society is going back for another investigation and this will be the third time. After collecting more evidence, will present the William A Irvin with a certifcate declaring it haunted.

It is listed on many haunted websites as one of the most haunted placed in the area. Click here.

What do you think is the most haunted place in the twin ports?

Do you have any proof? Contact Duluth Paranormal.

2013 Haunted Ship Tour Schedule

Thursday, October 3 6:30pm-10:00pm

Friday, October 4 6:30pm-10:30pm

Saturday, October 5 4:00pm-10:30pm

Thursday, October 10 6:30pm-10:00pm

Friday, October 11 6:30pm-10:30pm

Saturday, October 12 4:00pm-10:30pm

Wednesday, October 16 6:30pm-10:00pm

Thursday, October 17 6:30pm-10:00pm