Ghosts at Mystic Seaport

[mastershake]

Hey, I found an interesting article on MSNBC.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12463177/

also here at Hartford Courant.
www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ghostboat0425.artapr25,0,2611280.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group investigated sightings on the Charles W. Morgan, the last real whaling ship (which BELONGS in New Bedford! and was from NB, and old school NB heads will remember it as the logo of the NBIS bank) anyway, this group seems legit, but the investigation seems like a PR stunt by the Mystic Seaport. I don't know much about TRIPRG, but maybe they could be a future guest on the show!

ps- highlight and copy and paste the Courant link into your browser

[Tim Weisberg]

Hmmm...funny you should post this, Master. As most of you know, I actually work for the Standard-Times (mainly as a sportswriter) but I prepared a story about this very subject, about whether or not the spirit wants to return to New Bedford, and it will run this coming Tuesday in the Standard-Times.

However, we'll give the "Spooky Southcoast" listeners an advance preview on this week's show,including some "inside" information you won't find in any of the other newspaper stories! What kind of information, you ask? Tune in to find out (c'mon, I have to promote the show, after all!)

In addition, we've already set things up with both TRIPRG and Mystic Seaport to have a special report on the investigation when the team returns in June.

[aneaglesangel]

LOL!! This story has been following me around I swear!! I spoke to a friend who lives in Connecticut about this last weekend. It showed up so much on my sites, I said I guess it's a sign that I have to go down there and get some pics!! Everyone agreed of course, so now I'm going to have to get my butt down there!! Not that I mind, but I'm hoping the weather gets a bit warmer before I go traipsing around on a haunted ship!! I really love historic buildings and ships, so it ought to be an excellent trip!! Maybe I can sweet talk the ghost into coming out and saying cheese for the cam!!! I will be looking forward to the article in the Standard-Times!! Can't wait to hear the inside story on the show either!!!

[neghosts]

def a great story (and I agree the ship def belongs in NB)

[lildebcc]

That is an awesome story. I haven't been to Mystic in a while, but after reading this story, I feel a mini-road trip in my future. LOL >^o.o^<

[caiprs]

Well, Well lildebcc..i guess we will have to make a trip there Who's up for joining us?

[lildebcc]

Wooo-hooooo, going on a road trip ;Dgoing on a road trip ;D LOL

[mastershake]

I haven't had the pleasure of reading your article yet, Tim, being a bit out of circulation range. But the more I read online about this, the more I'm suspicious. Did the people (the witnesses) all individually contact TRIPRG or Mystic Seaport? And if the Seaport called in TRIPRG, doesn't anyone find that the least FISHY!?

I don't know how skeptical TRIPRG approaches their work, but if they were known to have rigorous standards, like TAPS, then perhaps I'd be more confident in their conclusion that its paranormal.

One EMF meter picking up readings does not mean there'a a ghost present. I dunno, it just seems to me like they were a bit premature with their conclusion and with the media exposure. Makes me want to say its all bollocks! A way for Mystic Seaport to exploit a new wave of tourists (and it seems to be working).

Don't get me wrong, Mystic is a nice place, I've been there myself when I was little. Its a nice re-creation of everything you could see in New Bedford for real (except the ship!)

[Tim Weisberg]

Actually, I think the story has been held until Sunday. You can read it online at www.southcoasttoday.com, or the more simple www.s-t.com.

As for the reports, these three different groups (neither Mystic nor the TRIPRG member I spoke to knew if they were paranormal groups or tourist groups, although Mystic says this is the first time they've allowed a paranormal group access to the ship) were sent into TRIPRG, who had been getting reports for years of various sightings. But once they got three similar reports in very close proximity from groups who didn't know one another, that' s when TRIPRG made the call to Mystic to seek permission for a preliminary investigation.

Neither Mystic nor TRIPRG has deemed the ship "haunted"--many writers (including myself) have just used dramatic license in that regard. This was merely the first round of investigating, to see if there were any anomalies that would warrant a second, more complete investigation. TRIPRG has recommended that, and they're awaiting approval from Mystic.

The Seaport spokesman told me this was not for tourism, that it wasn't their idea but that they were interested in seeing if there was anything to these reports that TRIPRG received. It's still the top tourism draw in Connecticut that isn't run by Native Americans (ie Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun), and the Morgan is coming out of the water in the fall of 07 for a three-year renovation...so it would be odd timing to try to boost tourism.

As for TRIPRG, from what I understand, they are just as scientific and as reputable as TAPS, they just keep a lower profile--mainly because they deal mostly in private, residential investigations of those who require the utmost discretion.

Hope this helps clear things up....

[mastershake]

Cool, I didn't mean to disparage TRIPRG. I just didn't know where they stood in a professional and technical sense. It's just hard to judge a group by their website.
I'm sure if you're convinced they are as professional as say, TAPS or CAIPRS, then they are!
It just seemed odd to me that the reports coincidentally came in at the same time, but if they've been compiling reports over the years, starting an investigation makes more sense. Also, from the group's point of view, doing an occasaional high-profile case like this is more fun than keeping strictly low-profile all the time

[aneaglesangel]

Ooooo!! CAIPRS, you guys are going out there!!?? Let me know, if ya don't mind a tagalong!!!

[Tim Weisberg]

If you're going to try to organize something, I suggest you contact Mike O' Farrell at Mystic Seaport. While he is the publicist, he's the person you'd want to deal with. Keep us posted as to when you're heading down--I don't know if Mystic would want a second group investigating, but why not make a field trip anyway, right?

(860)572 -5317
[e-mail]

[lildebcc]

We have talked about going out there; but no set in stone plans as yet. >^o.o^<