THUNDER BAY — Brian Cronk thinks the Alexander Henry is a perfect place for a spooky, pre-Halloween tour.
"When you walk in there when it's a little dark, it's already scary," he said.
It's why Cronk's Dark Chill Productions has arranged with the Lakehead Transportation Museum Society for a series of tours next month called "Haunted Harbour at the Alexander Henry."
On any of five nights between Oct. 14 and 22, people 14 years old and over are invited to test their ability to experience "the nightmare of a sailor who never truly left the ship."
It's a fundraiser in support of the LTMS and Our Kids Count.
"It's going to be getting scarier and scarier as you get inside. It starts out nice and happy, and ends really dark and scary," Cronk said Tuesday in an interview at the Alexander Henry.
The night-time guided tour of the ship promises to "manipulate your senses and guide you along with a story based on true events."
Cronk said there's also an onshore element to the tour, including a visit to the historic Brill transit buses that are displayed at Pool 6.
"We'll build the suspense as we go... and then you're going to get walked into the ship."
Charlie Brown, president of the LTMS, said the group had been pondering something like this for a number of years, but wasn't sure how to go about it.
He said if the project turns out well, he expects it will grow in future years.
Brown admitted that when he's working in the ship in the dark winter months, it's "a little bit spooky" by the time he's ready to leave at the end of the day.
"There's lots of knocks and bangs, and all kinds of interesting things going on. I think people will have a really good time."
A tent will be set up to provide hot beverages on site.
Tickets for Haunted Harbour at the Alexander Henry can be purchased online. They cost $18 plus processing fees, and are sold in groups of six.
