ArtRojasDesign

So here we are again with a new season of Ghost Adventures and Zak, Nick and Aaron head off to Portland Oregon to investigate the Shanghai Tunnels. Interestingly, these are the same kinds of tunnels that are rumored to be under the streets of Savannah. Unfortunately, the city of Savannah hasn’t turned their tunnels into a tourist attraction. That’s a darn shame too, because if they exist it’s part of their past and they should embrace it rather than trying to gloss over it.

But anyway, in the 1850’s there was a practice of grabbing sailors from saloons and enslaving them on sailing ships. Sailors would drink to much or be drugged and in their inebriated state would be bound, thrown into the tunnels and then whisked out to a waiting vessel. From there, they would be taken far out to sea before they woke up and made their escape. The practice is rumored to have happened in just about every seafaring city out there. Considering the time, the morals and scruples it’s hard to imagine it not being true. A rough fate for a rough trade. So do the spirits of those who didn’t actually make it out onto the boat still haunt the locale?

It takes a hell of a long time before we get to try and answer that question. This episode turns into a longer than normal documentary. There are certainly several stories of ill deeds, but we jump away from the taverns and saloons and turn our attentions to ladies of the night. Zak and the team go for a police ride-along to investigate what they call modern Shanghaiing. I suppose the argument could be made that prostitution is somewhat equivalent, but this whole sideline seems a bit confusing to me. I’m amused that everyone seem to recognize Zak and the show, even the girl being arrested. I’m all for the documentary aspect, but this episode seems to be going in three directions at once.

So what about the evidence? Using the spirit box they claim to get "he fell" and "where are you?" Is someone looking for a victim? Do we agree with the voices in the recorder? Zak also claims to see a female figure in the shadows. However, as they continue to ask questions the voice changes to that of a male. Is Zak being propositioned or did they just pick up a radio station? Could it even be one of the victims? I have to say, Zak seems almost obsessed with the bed in the tunnels and the idea of prostitution. It’s kind of funny, but it does border on an 8 year old doing the investigation.In this area they feel they get a lot of voices talking about getting drunk and being beaten.

As they keep investigation they hear the sound of door opening, unexplained footsteps and then their shadow detector device starts to go off. There is a wispy fog that appear on the camera. Is someone walking through the field? Are the footsteps coming from upstairs? That does make sense, except Hobo’s is closed at the moment. Is it footsteps from another building or perhaps the street? It’s an interesting bit of activity and as Zak states it could be from traffic or something else causing vibrations through the area.

The big evidence capture of the night is on the thermal imager. Zak feels he captures a mass moving across the screen. Is this the outline of a spirit still trapped in the Shanghai tunnels? Is it just an odd shadow on the screen?

It’s hard to deny that the practice of kidnapping people and Shanghaiing them was practiced in this area. It’s also hard to argue that lives were lost as people either tried to fight for their freedom and lost or simply died from neglect. If you’re willing to steal people to make a living, you’re probably not all that concerned with their well being.

Anyway, an interesting piece of history and a very unique side of Portland that I certainly wasn’t aware of. So what do you think? Does the evidence show spirits still trapped down there after being drugged and beaten?

Other Articles of Interest:

• Ghost Adventures – Bracken Fern Manor and Tudor House – S12E03
• Ghost Adventures – Sacramento Tunnels – S04E23
• The Dead Files – Death and Dolls – S01E04
• Ghost Adventures – Yost Theater and Ritz Hotel – S08E05
• Deep South Paranormal – Old Soldiers Never Die – S01E04
• Ghost Adventures – Snug Harbor Sailors – S07E19
• Haunted Towns – Bisbee Arizona – S01E05
• Deep South Paranormal – I Fear That Train A Comin – S01E01
• Ghost Adventures Documentary
• Ghost Adventures – Washoe Club and Chollar Mine

For this episode the guys are back in Nevada to revisit some of their favorite locations. This is where their ghost hunting adventures began and they keep coming back to unearth new evidence. They’re going back to the hotel where a woman committed suicide in the bathtub and the location where they feel they captured a disembodied arm. They also plan to investigate the Yellow Jacket mine, the scene of a fire that killed over two dozen men.

I have to admit, that was a rather uneventful episode. Considering the build up and lead in, I expected them to capture a lot more activity. The night came across as rather quiet. They previously claimed to get the sound of footsteps and a woman crying. When in room 11, they believe the capture some more energy in the form of orbs and feel they capture a voice on the Spirit Box. Zak spends a lot of time chasing around a Mel Meter spike. He believes there is spirit attaching itself to the flowers he brought in.

I was expecting an apparition and more sounds from the miners who lost their lives in the fire. Since this was a hospital it should be ripe with people willing to talk. It really didn’t come across that way. There may be some activity there, but I don’t think this episode showcased it. I was impressed by the kindler, gentler Zak who showed a lot of empathy and sympathy for the prostitute who killed herself in room 11. He even apologized for his earlier behavior where he mocked the spirit that slit it’s wrists. A lot has happened in those 7 years and I guess Zak feels some regret over those earlier investigations.

It was also interesting to see Billy come out for the investigation. He’s normally just a behind the scenes kind of guy.

I still enjoyed the history and stories of the place. Perhaps on the next visit the spirits will be more willing to make themselves known.

Other Articles of Interest:

• Ghost Adventures – Old Town San Diego – S05E03
• Ghost Adventures – Palmer House Hotel – S07E04
• Ghost Adventures – Return to Linda Vista Hospital – S06E05
• Paranormal Lockdown – Anderson Hotel – S01E02
• Ghost Asylum – Old South Pittsburg Hospital – S03E02
• Ghost Adventures – Tuolumne Hospital – S08E03
• Paranormal Challenge – Waverly Hills Sanatorium – S01E06
• Paranormal State – Return of the Dead – The Glove II – S05E06
• Ghost Adventures – Jerome Grand Hotel – S04E20
• Ghost Adventures – Lizzie Borden House – S05E05

Letchworth Village, an institution for the care of the mentally ill. And like so many of these places, it had great intentions and then it all went horribly wrong. Patients were abused and outright neglected. They were left without clothes, they weren’t fed, medicines were mixed up and ultimately patients were left to fend for themselves. The footage is horrific and all you can think is, thank God they closed this place down. Some of the stories, especially the one about the collection of brains is shocking to say the least. This is the sort of thing you dream up when writing a horror story.

As the investigation is underway, they claim to hear staticy voices and feel the presence of trapped energy all around them. Zak feels that something is following him around. He even feels that a dark energy is clinging to him. On the digital recorder, he feels a voice says, "pray your god". It’s because of this he tries to separate himself from the rest of the group. As they continue on, they feel they capture a dark figure wandering around the building. Is this the person that spoke to Zak? Is he just seeing a trick of light?

The building is horribly decrepit and is coming down around them. There is no way you could be in there and have a feel of dread or even doom. The EVPs they capture are a mixed bag. Some you can actually make out some words, while others sound like the usual static. The shadow figure is interesting. I can’t quite jump on board with it though as car headlights or some other "trick of light" could cause the same effect. Perhaps there is something there, heavens knows the place has enough malicious energy.

This episode was downright depressing. I hope the place isn’t haunted. The idea that people would be trapped in such a shit hole is hard to imagine. I don’t know what to make of the evidence they did capture, but out of all the places they been, I think this ranks as one of the last places I would like to visit.

Other Articles of Interest:

• Ghost Adventures – Missouri State Prison – S08E04
• Ghost Asylum – St Vincent’s Mental Asylum – S01E04
• Ghost Adventures – Yost Theater and Ritz Hotel – S08E05
• Ghost Adventures – Alcatraz – S08E08
• Ghost Stalkers – Springfield State Hospital – S01E02
• Ghost Adventures – Point Sur California – S07E03
• Ghost Adventures – Hotel Metlen – S13E07
• Ghost Adventures – Nopeming Sanatorium – S10E07
• Ghost Adventures – Heritage Junction – S09E06
• Ghost Adventures – Rolling Hills Asylum – s04e02