THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The historic steam ferry Berkeley is said to be haunted by John O. Norbom, who died in an onboard explosion in 1911. His spirit is blamed for bathroom stall doors mysteriously locking themselves.
The steam ferry Berkeley was built in San Francisco in 1898 and carried passengers across San Francisco Bay for decades. It also participated in evacuation efforts following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. In 1911, an explosion aboard the vessel killed employee John O. Norbom and injured several others. Paranormal tradition identifies Norbom as the ferry's resident spirit. One recurring story claims that unseen hands lock bathroom stall doors, while other unexplained activity has been attributed to the historic vessel.