SAN DIEGO — The Star of India, a proud fixture of San Diego's Maritime Museum, has been sailing the world's oceans for over 160 years. But it's not just its history that captures the imagination; it's the ghostly encounters reported on board that embrace the Halloween spirit.
Ruby Stith, a living history instructor, shares some of the most chilling tales associated with the ship.
"Johnny Campbell was on here in 1884 and was about 14 years old at the time," Stith said.
Campbell, a young stowaway, met a tragic end when he fell from the main mast. His spirit, however, seems to have never left the ship.
"Sometimes you'll feel a tap on your shoulder," Stith said. "He liked to play games. That's how he made money on board because he was a stowaway. He would do betting games as a game he played as a kid."
But Johnny's playful spirit isn't the only supernatural presence reported on the Star of India. Stith herself has experienced unexplained phenomena, including having her arm grabbed and hearing voices.
"I tore apart the galley looking for anyone hiding in there," she says. "There was no one in there. My co-workers who saw me, 'I was like I think something happened.' I think my eyeballs were coming out of my head."
The ship's ghostly residents aren't limited to crew members. Passengers from its long history also seem to linger. Stith mentions McBarnett, an army captain and passenger from 1875, known for his struggles with alcoholism.
"A lot of them say they feel they've been kicked or punched on board," she said.
Throughout its storied past, the Star of India has served various roles, from salmon industry vessel to cargo ship and immigrant transport. Today, it stands as a beloved waterfront landmark, still setting sail once every few years.
"She's our pride and joy. We put a lot of work into her," Stith said. "She's got a lot of heart and soul to herself. Whenever people check it out, it's heartwarming to see people still have a respect for their history."
If you want to check out the Star of India's haunted history firsthand, the ship is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can learn more, here.
WATCH RELATED: The Haunted Star of India - Halloween 1999