William A. Irvin opens for summer tours

The William A. Irvin, the majestic freighter anchored in the heart of Canal Park, will open its hatches for the 2025 summer season on Friday, May 2 for long weekends. The ship will be open 7 days a week, beginning June 12.

Visitors can explore the massive engine room, elegant guest quarters, pilot house, and cargo holds that once carried the raw materials that built America. These self-guided, child-friendly tours provide fascinating insights into the lives of the sailors who navigated the Great Lakes. Everyone walks away with a jaunty paper ship hat, and children's Seek-n-Find books are available for purchase.

NEW: Limited Paranormal Investigation Tours

New this year, the Irvin will offer two limited-ticketed paranormal tours in 2025 for amateur and professional paranormal investigators. These exclusive events will allow the preternatural-curious to use their own ghost-detecting equipment aboard the storied freighter on Friday, June 13 and Tuesday, August 26 from 8PM - 2AM. Tickets are $75.

The historic freighter, with its imposing steel hull and shadowy corridors, has long been rumored to harbor ghosts. Numerous paranormal investigators have documented unexplained phenomena throughout the vessel, including temperature fluctuations, disembodied voices, and shadowy figures glimpsed in the outer passageway.

The tragic scalding death of Sailor William Wuori in the ship's boiler room has fueled speculation that his spirit remains, with staff reporting the sensation of being watched and mysterious footsteps echoing through the empty ship.

Paranormal tour tickets are $75 per person. To participate, attendees must sign a contract and waiver and bring their own equipment.

Group tours allow the Irvin to accommodate the many paranormal investigation requests that cannot be fulfilled through individual tours, providing an opportunity for as many investigators as possible to access the freighter.

For paranormal tour reservations, please contact hauntedship@decc.org.

About the William A. Irvin

Built in 1938, the 610-foot William A. Irvin served as U.S. Steel's flagship and was named after the company's president. The vessel transported millions of tons of iron ore and coal across the Great Lakes until its retirement in 1978. The ship has been a museum vessel in Duluth since 1986, educating visitors about the vital role of shipping in the Twin Ports' economy and culture.

The William A. Irvin is owned and operated by the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.