For over a hundred years the
Blue Light Tunnel in Ontario, Canada has been haunted by ghosts.
This tunnel was constructed in the mid 1870s as a part of the 3rd Welland Canal. It was first named the Merritton Tunnel because it was near Merritton, which is now is a part of St. Catharines.
It was also at one point called The Great Western Railway Tunnel because it provided passage for the Great Western Railway under the 3rd Canal. This tunnel was in use until the First World War when a swing bridge replaced it.
This tunnel was constructed in the mid 1870s as a part of the 3rd Welland Canal. It was first named the Merritton Tunnel because it was near Merritton, which is now is a part of St. Catharines.
It was also at one point called The Great Western Railway Tunnel because it provided passage for the Great Western Railway under the 3rd Canal. This tunnel was in use until the First World War when a swing bridge replaced it.
The tunnel is haunted because
of a series of accidents that happened near it and a graveyard that is covered
in water close by.
In the early 20th
century two trains collided head on one hundred yards from the tunnel entrance.
The accident happened on a sharp curve where the two engineers could not see
each other. These two men escaped this accident with only broken limbs but both
their fireman died as a result of this wreck.
It is said the ghostly spirits of these two still linger in the tunnel. Sightings of wispy fog and mists near the tunnel entrance are cited as proof of this claim.
It is said the ghostly spirits of these two still linger in the tunnel. Sightings of wispy fog and mists near the tunnel entrance are cited as proof of this claim.
The first fireman who worked on the express
train was discovered at the scene of the accident dead. His body was found crashed between the boiler and the tentler.
When the rescuers tried to recover his body his limbs broke away from the rest of his body because his mid section was wedged so tightly.
The second fireman who worked on the mogul train was smashed into the boiler of the train, and received burns over 90 percent of his body; he was taken to St. Catharines Hospital where he died five hours after the accident.
When the rescuers tried to recover his body his limbs broke away from the rest of his body because his mid section was wedged so tightly.
The second fireman who worked on the mogul train was smashed into the boiler of the train, and received burns over 90 percent of his body; he was taken to St. Catharines Hospital where he died five hours after the accident.
Another source of the ghostly
activity in the tunnel is attributed to a series of accidents that happened nearby as the Welland canal was being constructed.
One freak accident that occurred at Lock 6 in August 6, 1928 took the lives of eight men, just two years later on this same date eight more men were killed in another accident. It was believed that the ghosts of the tunnel cursed the area and this is why these two accidents happened.
The belief in this curse and haunting was reinforced by the fact that over 107 lives were lost during the time the canal was being constructed.
In the preceding years the pump house that brings water to locks 4, 5, 6, and 7 and is close to the Blue Light Tunnel experienced its own disasters.
Some of these accidents were not even recorded in the local paper because it was feared if they were reported it would become known The Welland Ship Canal was indeed haunted by ghosts.
One freak accident that occurred at Lock 6 in August 6, 1928 took the lives of eight men, just two years later on this same date eight more men were killed in another accident. It was believed that the ghosts of the tunnel cursed the area and this is why these two accidents happened.
The belief in this curse and haunting was reinforced by the fact that over 107 lives were lost during the time the canal was being constructed.
In the preceding years the pump house that brings water to locks 4, 5, 6, and 7 and is close to the Blue Light Tunnel experienced its own disasters.
Some of these accidents were not even recorded in the local paper because it was feared if they were reported it would become known The Welland Ship Canal was indeed haunted by ghosts.
Yet another source of the
Blue Light Tunnel hauntings comes from a pond near the tunnel.
In the early 1800s a churchyard and cemetery was established in the Thorold township. By the early 20th century this area had fallen into ruins.
In the 1920s with the construction of the 4th Welland Canal it was decided that the area where the St. Peter cemetery was located would be used for a “canal pondage.” In other words they intended to flood the area with water.
In the early 1800s a churchyard and cemetery was established in the Thorold township. By the early 20th century this area had fallen into ruins.
In the 1920s with the construction of the 4th Welland Canal it was decided that the area where the St. Peter cemetery was located would be used for a “canal pondage.” In other words they intended to flood the area with water.
Of the 913 graves that were
in the area when this decision was made only 250 were claimed by relatives, the
rest it was decided would just be left in place. So 663 graves remain under the
pondage area near the Blue Light Tunnel. Many of these lost souls are said to
still haunt the tunnel today.
Many believe because of so much tragedy the Blue Light Tunnel has acted as a magnet for all who died in
the area around it.
Because of the documented activity in the tunnel many are even afraid to enter it. Footsteps, whispered conversations, and old-fashioned music have been recorded in the tunnel.
In recent years an area near the tunnel was used as a teen party spot. In 2011 the Blue Light Tunnel was closed to the public. In the past a cinder block wall that was constructed at the entrance to keep people out was vandalized.
Officials state they want to keep people out of this very old tunnel because it is located under a stream therefore it is unsafe—if a wall were to collapse water could rush in.
Because of the documented activity in the tunnel many are even afraid to enter it. Footsteps, whispered conversations, and old-fashioned music have been recorded in the tunnel.
In recent years an area near the tunnel was used as a teen party spot. In 2011 the Blue Light Tunnel was closed to the public. In the past a cinder block wall that was constructed at the entrance to keep people out was vandalized.
Officials state they want to keep people out of this very old tunnel because it is located under a stream therefore it is unsafe—if a wall were to collapse water could rush in.
Some feel this is not the
only reason the Blue Light Tunnel is off limits.
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