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USS Batfish
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Our story of why we investigated
With no reported paranormal activity to our knowledge before RVPRI wanted to investigate the USS Batfish to put a theory to the test. The theory being that WWII vessels were haunted even if there were no recorded deaths. The theory comes from the idea that spirits are drawn to where they have strong emotional ties. Esprit de corps bring men who serve together in combat a tight brotherhood that is only fully understood by those who have served. The USS Batfish is an excellent vessel to put this theory to the test. With no deaths aboard this vessel on record and famous for being the only submarine to sink three enemy submarines, and did this effectively in a 72 hour period. This would provide any shipmate that served aboard this fantastic boat with a certain amount of pride. We at RVPRI are honored to have been allowed the great opportunity to investigate this historic submarine. We would like to say that if ever you are in or around Muskogee, OK. You should definitely stop by the War Memorial Park. Right off of the Turnpike at exit 33. You won't regret it. For more info on the USS Batfish read this PDF
Investigation
3-29-2008
Team Members Present
Adrian, Tina, Shawn, Daniel, Mark, and Steve
Data Recorded
Audio, photographic
Report
After all the power was turned off we started our investigation and split into 2 groups of 3 one at the aft end and one at the forward. Rick, the park manager of War Memorial Park in Muskogee, OK. And home of the USS Batfish accompanied us on our investigation. The investigation was cramped but fairly routine in this wonderful boat with few significant experiences. Tina and Shawn had both heard sounds of water, dripping, or trickling. Mark had seen a light in the galley in front of him at about waste level in between the tables, and was unable to explain its origin. We had some rather quick jumps in our EMF detector as well in the galley but those numbers had never sustained a constant reading and therefore we just make note of it here. Tina had seen what looked like a man standing beside Adrian in the conning tower during the light of a flash. There was the feeling sometimes that there was someone watching us, it always seemed beyond in the next room. Tina had felt the same on at least one occasion. We had heard many sounds that we had to discount immediately due to the nature of our surroundings. We also had a frog somewhere around that decided he had something to say to anybody who would listen. This frog we lovingly referred to as the demon frog, anyone who has ever met us know that we are all about some corny jokes and this was no exception.
After our investigation we receive this story from someone who had served aboard the USS Batfish.
I have told the story
about the decommissioning ceremony. All the crew
was topside, with all hatches shut and secured, nothing running except the
dehumidifying units on deck.
During the ceremony there were sounds like groaning and creaking from inside
the Batfish!!! We looked at each other there and could not explain the
sounds.
BTW, we were in a secluded area and there was no wind, wave, or passing
boats to cause any sound!
Later years I talked with Captain Woodward about the sounds, his comment
was" she was groaning because she didn't want us to leave her" so take it
for whatever, she does have a heart!! I can verify this with several
crewmembers that was at the decomm ceremony.
Apparently it's not just the crews that experience esprit de corps.
We were impressed by the USS Batfish and we enjoyed our investigation and while we cannot conclude that it is “haunted” we do believe that there is a level of paranormal activity there that deserves comment. With the evidence we obtained during this investigation we feel we can make the claim that there is some sort of spiritual activity aboard the vessel. If there are “spirits” at the USS Batfish we can not at this time come to the conclusion that they are residual or intelligent.
A basic schematic that shows each section of the USS Batfish a WWII Balao Class submarine
The crew that investigated the USS Batfish
Deep down through the doorway we see what looks like someone keeping an eye on us. He would be at where the yeoman's office, interestingly enough we caught an EVP right at the yeoman's office not long after this shot.
Enlarged and lightened just inside the hatch you see what looks like the reflection of a man standing there
You can make out the head, clearly see the face and shoulders.
A lot of tight spaces in this boat made for a cramped investigation. It is hard to believe that when in operation this vessel sailed with 80 souls aboard.
Just as we were beginning our investigation and we get a voice on our recorders that say's "C'mon" while listening to all the recorder's at this time we can say that this was not one of us.
In the aft engine room we meet up with the "demon frog" 8 seconds into the clip you hear a voice before I say "I'm out"
While discussing where the other's were right after Tina says back and before I speak you hear a faint voice say what sounds like to us as East end. But the back of the Sub is pointing South, so we don't know what it means.
And just outside the Yeoman's office at about 5 seconds into the clip you hear a voice speaking. This is not one of us. Again we cannot understand what is being said, only that there is something being said.