The Battleship Wisconsin

Posted: 03.17.2025 | Updated: 03.17.2025

There is a lot of history aboard the Battleship Wisconsin. Since she was launched in 1943, the ship has taken part in three major wars and transported thousands of sailors to their destinations. The decommissioned ship is now a part of Norfolk’s Nauticus tourist attraction. But, this historic piece of nautical history has a dark presence aboard it that’s been felt by crew members for decades.

If you are intrigued by the haunted history of Richmond, VA, it is time to book your next exciting ghost tour with us here at Richmond Ghosts! Join us for a thrilling time that is both insightful and horrific.

Is the Battleship Wisconsin Haunted?

The Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest ships that served the U.S. Navy between 1943 and 1991. Throughout her time at sea, she fought through historic battles with drastic death tolls. The amount of death and destruction has left behind a dark force on the ship that many locals and visitors are unable to deny.

The History of the Battleship Wisconsin

Battleship Wisconsin, or the USS Wisconsin BB-64, was the last of the massive battleships built by the United States Navy. Currently berthed at the Nauticus Maritime Discovery Center in downtown Norfolk, this Iowa-class battleship was the second one named to honor the state of Wisconsin.

The formal start of her construction began on January 25^th, 1941, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Her first launch on December 7^th, 1943, was sponsored by Mrs. Walter S. Goodland, the wife of the governor of Wisconsin. On April 16^th, 1944, she was commissioned with Captain Earl E. Stone in command.

After going through necessary trials and training at Chesapeake Bay, the Battleship Wisconsin departed Norfolk on July 7^th, 1944, sailing toward the British West Indies. Once her shakedown was conducted in Trinidad, she returned to the builder’s yard for repairs and alterations before joining the Fleet.

The Battleship Wisconsin Served in Three Wars

The USS Wisconsin BB-64 served in World War II, the Korean War, and Operation Desert Storm.

During WWII, she took part in the Philippines Campaign as well as the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Before the end of the war in September of 1945, she assisted in attacks against the Japanese home islands.

Following WWII, she was briefly decommissioned and later reactivated to serve in the Korean War. During that war, she attacked North Korean targets in support of the United Nations and ground operations for South Korea.

During the war, Wisconsin suffered a direct hit from a 155mm gun battery. This led to an escorting ship signaling Wisconsin with “Temper, Temper.”

She was then decommissioned again until 1988 when she participated in the Persian Gulf War and later took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Today, the USS Wisconsin BB-64 is a symbol of Norfolk’s proud naval history. As the main attraction at the city’s Nautica Museum, it is a popular exhibit where guided tours are provided for the upper decks of the ship that are open to the public.

The lower deck, however, does not allow visitors. And anyone who ventures down below is warned they may experience some strange and disturbing encounters.

Is it Just a Tourist Attraction?

Dark energy can be linked to places where tragedies have occurred. Since the Battleship Wisconsin has endured three major wars where thousands of sailors lost their lives, it is safe to say this historic vessel has several stowaway spirits on board.

It is a local urban legend in Norfolk that the ship is haunted. So many people believe this that the museum now hosts a ghost tour of the lower deck of the ship in October.

The owners of the museum have even written a script about a fictional crew member named James Spruill who longed to be reunited with his wife and their 5-year-old son. When he arrived back in Norfolk, his family greeted him on the ship. 

He later became separated from them and searched the ship over with no sign of his wife or child. They were never seen again. The story ends with James dying of a broken heart and an etching on the wall near his body that reads, “They’re still on board.”

While the museum did an excellent job creating its own spooky tale, it doesn’t take away from the fact that there are several accounts from former crew members, visitors, and staff members, who have experienced the real thing.

The Real Ghost Encounters of the Battleship Wisconsin

One account shared in Norfolk for many years is about a crew member who served during the Korean War. He stayed behind on the ship as others left and worked on the air conditioning system. Unfortunately, he wasn’t alone on the ship like he originally thought. Someone, or something, turned on the AC unit while he was working on it, leading to his immediate and unfortunate death.

The Repairman Returns to The Battleship Wisconsin

A quartermaster 2^nd class, serving onboard the ship during Operation Desert Storm, believes he was haunted by the ghost of that same crew member. He spoke of the encounter, saying that as he was walking past the harpoon launchers one night, he got a feeling he was being watched. 

He turned around, thinking it was another crew member, but there was no one there. Suddenly he sees a white, shadowy figure floating directly in front of him, giving him chills.

The quartermaster was unaware at the time of the story about the crew member who was killed while working on repairs. He was unsure what to do and blurted out, “Okay, that’s enough of that!” When he turned back to carry on with his task, and then the shadowy figure reappeared in front of him once again.

He turned to walk in the opposite direction; it was there again. Then, he turned back around, and it appeared behind him, giving him a chance to escape. He took off, running away from it as fast as he could. When he stopped to look back, the mysterious figure was gone.

There are some staff members at the museum who will not dare go down to the bottom level. Those who do venture into that area have reported hearing strange noises in the dark, objects falling and crashing onto the floor, and an overall feeling of anxiety and unease. People have also reported seeing shadowy figures like the one described by the quartermaster, as well as many other unexplained haunting phenomena.

Haunted Richmond

Richmond is a city with more than 400 years of history, guaranteeing that it has seen a fair share of dark and unsettling events. The Battleship Wisconsin is only one of the many places you can visit in Virginia where you may experience a ghostly encounter.

To find out more about the hidden haunted gems in town, be sure to book your tour with us here at Richmond Ghosts. Keep up with our blog for all the latest updates and scary stories.

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Sources: 

• https://nauticus.org/explore/battleship-exhibits/about-the-battleship/
• https://www.pilotonline.com/2013/10/24/paranormal-activity-aboard-the-wisconsin/
• https://www.militaryspouse.com/military-life/the-top-7-most-haunted-military-ships-in-the-navy/
• https://www.visitnorfolk.com/blog/haunted-norfolk/
• https://www.virginia.org/blog/post/virginias-haunted-sites/
• https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/i-served-aboard-uss-wisconsin-what-it-was-197143
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXxmsLTWyjo
• https://www.wtkr.com/2016/10/25/haunted-hampton-roads-battleship-wisconsin-get-invaded-by-aliens
• https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldOfWarships/comments/1fgpppy/til_that_in_1952_the_uss_wisconsin_received_a/#:~:text=Outphaze89-,TIL%20that%20in%201952%2C%20the%20USS%20Wisconsin%20received%20a%20single,with%20″Temper%2C%20Temper.”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhi1RAd25Pk&t=53s
• https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/ships-us/ships-usn-w/uss-wisconsin-bb64.html#:~:text=National%20Museum%20of%20the%20U.S.%20Navy,-Social%20Media&text=After%20the%20war%2C%20Wisconsin%20was,1991%2C%20Wisconsin%20was%20again%20decommissioned.