U-505 AT THE CHICAGO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY MAY 7, 2012
A recent quick vacation to Chicago turned up something interesting that was totally unexpected. I had also wanted to visit the U-505 German World War II era submarine on display at the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry. Not meant as a ghost-hunting trip, I nevertheless obtained some unusual photos and an EVP that I would like to share with visitors to this site. During U-505's career she sent 8 allied merchant ships to the bottom of the Atlantic. On June 4, 1944, U-505 was prowling off the coast of West Africa on a hunt for American and Allied ships, when depth charges from the USS Chatelain forced the U-boat to the surface at the end of an epic 3-day chase. Though scuttling charges were set, American boarding parties managed to disable them and, under imminent danger of sinking, gain control of the boat. It was the first time US naval forces had captured an enemy vessel on the high seas since the War of 1812. Among items retrieved on board were top secret German code books and a complete Enigma cipher machine. It was the end of a violent run for U-505, which had terrorized the Atlantic Ocean as part of a massive U-boat campaign that almost altered the outcome of World War II. The Museum of Science and Industry has displayed since 1954 the only German submarine in the Western Hemisphere, and, now, a national memorial to the 55,000 American sailors who gave their lives on the high seas in WWI and WWII. In short, a lot of history surrounds U-505.
While reviewing the approximately 200 photos shot that day, four photos revealed orbs next to the submarine, primarily near the bow section and forward torpedo tubes. While not spectacular in themselves, they grow in luminescence as the photos progress and even show signs of movement on their own, and appear in no other photos taken. The first two photos are presented above showing multiple orbs in each photo.
These next two show even brighter orbs, and the last photo is the best for arguing against simple dust, at it appears self-luminous and in motion. No other objects were captured anywhere else in the exhibit except for this one sequence. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed onboard the submarine itself when you were able to take a guided tour or who knows what might have turned up there, especially in the cramped living spaces.
One last bit of evidence was unexpectedly captured. While no digital audio recordings were made, since this wasn't planned as a ghost hunt, I did examine the soundtrack of the video footage shot by my camera and at the same location and about the same time as these still photos were taken, an EVP seems to have been captured. It appears to be between two different individuals, in German, perhaps shouted commands of some kind. To play the entire 13 second clip CLICK HERE and I'll discuss it in a moment.
A faint voice is heard calling out at the 2 second, 4 second, 9 second and 11 second mark in the recording. The last comment - at 11 seconds - is louder and more clear and it may be the same individual as in the other three, or it may be a second individual in response to the other three statements, it is hard to tell. I have no idea what the voices are saying. What is interesting is that you can clearly hear the murmur of other tourists and individuals in the background, they appear muffled and indistinct as they are far from the microphone on the camera. These German voices are loud enough to be heard over the background noises, and appear much closer to the camera microphone. There are no video exhibits or narrations playing anywhere in this location (they would be clearly picked up if present) and would likely be in English. Most of the displays set up would be some 200-300 feet away from this area and unlikely to be picked up this distinctly without being at maximum volume, and as far as I know none of the children in any of the school field trips there that day were speaking in German.
The timing and location of this EVP seem to lend credence to the idea that the orb activity in the above photos is more than simple dust particles. The U-505 made eight war patrols during its career, and when one thinks of the hundreds of drills, practices, and combat situations played out during that time, is it possible that what was picked up was something residual, perhaps a recording from the past? Unfortunately it is very hard to find another such vessel to compare it to, as most German U-Boats now lie at the bottom of the ocean. Only 3 other intact U-Boats survive in the world, all of them in Europe, though it is known naval vessels are common areas of paranormal activity because of the number of people who have served on them and the intense emotion and feelings experienced on such ships. If anyone has any idea what is being said, please email me with your suggestions at HorodyskiJ@aol.com. And if you have a desire to visit something a little different in the Chicago area, the U-505 would be well worth your effort!
