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4.7
55 votes

Abandoned Ghost Ship

2500 Lawrenceburg Ferry Road, Petersburg, Kentucky 41080 USA

1
Video
Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Fri 12a-11:59p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    not Accepted
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • No Public
    Restrooms
  • No Wifi
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Private Property

This location is on private property and is presented for information purposes only.

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“over a 100 years of history rusting away”

This place is on private property. Listing for informational purposes only. Please do not visit without express permission from the land owner. "The slow, choppy waters erratically splash up against the obstruction - an off beat rhythm banging into an island of rusted steel. As the Ohio River flows towards the Mississippi, its waters lazily make their way through the American midwest. Roughly 25 miles downstream from Cincinnati, some of the water diverts to a gap on the southern shore into a creek and up against a ship that seems to have docked for the last time. It's a vessel that fought in two World Wars, served as a yacht, set the scene in a pop star's music video, carried one of the world's greatest minds, and shuttled tourists around the nation's largest city - all before it found itself left to be forgotten by time and history in the murky waters. It's been over a century since the ship seen here was originally launched in 1902. It's a vessel that has been known by many names. The most recent one however, can still be found in the faded paint on its hull: Circle Line V. When Matt spotted the ship resting quietly in the creek below the road, it was quite a sight to see, even more so once we got to the shoreline and saw things up close. Actually seeing a "shipwreck" was impressive enough, but the full gravity of the ship's significance hadn't quite set in and wouldn't until after we were gone. The ghost ship known as the Circle Line V is by far one of the coolest things I've seen with my own eyes and through a lens. To understand why the Circle Line V is significant and just how the hell it ended up in a creek near Cincinnati, we need to start at the beginning in Wilmington, Delaware. On April 12, 1902, the ship was  launched as theCelt. Commissioned as a luxury yacht by a railroad executive, she was 186 feet long and steam powered. After changing owners, she was renamed the Sachem.  110 years since the boat launched in Delaware, it came to a final resting place in a creek outside of Cincinnati. After countless passengers, two World Wars and ferrying millions of tourists on sightseeing jaunts, the ship itself has become a sight to behold. It in itself is a ruin of the past, a symbol of history in a condition that doesn't seem fit for the story behind it. After everything theCelt/Sachem/Phenakite/Sightseer/Circle Line V saw in its day, it's now something for us to see, to marvel at. A ruin of the past hidden in a creek." - Queen City Discovery

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  • Tour Guide
  • 172 Reviews
  • 215 Helpful
July 15, 2014
Rated 5.0

Yes it's still there! This is one of the most surreal sites I've ever visited. You paddle around the bend and all the sudden this massive ship greets you. It's quite shocking how big this thing is and how small of a creek it's in. Access isn't too hard, we paddled in via the creek but you can also get in by the Ohio River or by foot. There is a long driveway that leads down into a field. Follow that to the creek and the Ship should be right there. This is seriously the coolest abandoned spot I've ever been too.

20 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Joel Schat

  • Photographer
  • 237 Reviews
  • 538 Helpful
July 21, 2014
Rated 5.0

This place is absolutely awesome!! I made a video while I was there! Check it out here :)
http://youtu.be/RpLKMmnh-bU

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Erin

  • 36 Reviews
  • 31 Helpful
August 28, 2014
Rated 5.0

This place is awesome! It's only about 20 minute drive from the city, and it's really cool. But be care where you step, I got an old nail go into my shoe. And there isn't a ladder to get up it, you have to pull yourself up by some rope. But still a great adventure!

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
kodi.mcquillen

  • 1 Review
  • 3 Helpful
September 10, 2014
Rated 5.0

Kind of creepy, but I went by myself! Really interesting to see. I parked in the driveway of 2450 and the path is right across the way.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
PJ4437

  • 1 Review
  • 3 Helpful
March 07, 2014
Rated

It was also in a very cheesy Madonna video from the 80's. "Papa Don't Preach" A very quick view, you would have to pause it.

3 people found this review helpful
  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
August 26, 2014
Rated

On a GPS, What address would you put in to drive to location? Thank you,

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
dina.b.reed

  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
May 27, 2014
Rated

Can someone verify if this is still there ???
We are planning a trip and want to include it in our "sights".

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
jwilliams81

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
November 05, 2015
Rated

This has long been one of Cincinnati's hidden gems.

Check out my video:
https://youtu.be/fhHmjrfHYuM

This is an easy paddle, just be aware you will be crossing the Ohio river.
Look up for barge traffic, don't go alone, and always wear your life jacket.

GPS 39.081813,-84.848951 .

The easiest way to paddle to it is to launch at the Tanners Creek ramp, just west of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Paddle down the Ohio River paddle across to the Kentucky side. Paddle up the river, on the Kentucky side about a quarter mile and the creek's mouth will be on your right. The "Ghost Ship" is a couple hundred yards up the creek.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Greg Newkirk

  • Expert
  • 314 Reviews
  • 374 Helpful
September 19, 2014
Rated 4.0

You can get to this place by foot if you REALLY want to, but comeon, it's way cooler if you go by boat. Word of warning, it's rusty as all hell, so I hope you're up to date on your tetanus shots.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
DaVinci

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
September 13, 2014
Rated 5.0

Pretty crazy reading the history of it and then visiting it and thinking of all it went through to finally end up there

1 person found this review helpful

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Abandoned Ghost Ship

2500 Lawrenceburg Ferry Road
Petersburg, Kentucky
41080 USA
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Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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  • Unavailable
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  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
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    Restrooms
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
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    Outdoor Seating
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