Date: Tuesday April 28, 1998
Time: Investigation started at 7pm and ended at 9pm.
Location: Historic Fort Mifflin; on the Delaware River
Equipment: E.L.F.-Zone EMF detector. Kodak Star 535 camera with auto focus/flash (no strap), Kodak Gold 400 speed color film.
Weather: Clear evening, light intermittent breezes, temperature started at 65* and had dropped into the mid 50's by the time we finished.
History: Fort Mifflin was occupied by American Troops under the leadership of General Thomas Mifflin during the Revolutionary War. Their main objective: prevent the British Troops from reaching their supply ships on the Delaware River. Although the Fort did fall, they were successful in preventing the British from reaching their supplies; winter set in, and the British were unable to attack Washington's Troops. Fort Mifflin was manned again in the War of 1812, but saw no action. It was also utilized as a Civil War prison camp. The Fort was disarmed in 1904.
Those Present: Danny & Nancy S., Lew & Sharon G., Kenny & Donna B., Rachel G., Pete L., Dan L., Andy K., Tom H., Dave R., Sharon H., Joani S., Dan O., and Stephanie B.
Report: I began the investigation by taking several photographs of the Fort's exterior walls and the building that had been used as a hospital, and now serves as the staff's offices. We entered as a group; entering through the gates felt like passing into another time - the only reminder of the present being the low flying jets overhead. We started in the casemates which had been used as dungeons. The long stone hall was damp and musty; there was one large room and several smaller rooms off the hallway. I initially thought I felt a cold spot in the entrance of the first smaller room, but someone pointed out to me that it was drafty in there. I agreed - until we closely reviewed our videotape and discovered a softball size orb that moved from the back of the room out to the doorway and disappeared into the wall!
Danny S. called me into the next small room to take some pictures because he was experiencing blurring of the camcorder, we have auto-focus, but he was not using the zoom at that time. Upon review of the video we found that the picture started to roll, and there was "snow" on the bottom half of the picture - Danny DID NOT see this when he was filming. I also took several pictures of a woodpile in this room because Danny thought he had seen a fleeting movement in that area. I picked up no EMF readings here, however the caution light on the detector was continually flickering (Although a fresh 9V battery had been installed that morning). After taking pictures throughout the hallway and each pf the smaller rooms I returned to the largest room. I had several moments to be alone in there. As I entered the room I had an overwhelming feeling of sadness that almost brought tears to my eyes, and as I moved further into the room I began to feel that I was not alone on there - instead I felt that I was surrounded by many people, although I could see no one. I took several pictures, and circled the room with my still flickering EMF detector, and then left the casemates. Outside I installed another 9V into the EMF detector and we continued on.
We proceeded to the officers barracks, and explored the different rooms containing many artifacts from the fort. I took many pictures but had no unusual feelings or EMF readings. Yes, the caution light was still flickering, but at this time I had chalked it up to equipment malfunction. We then left the barracks. Danny returned to the casemates to set up our tape recorder, and I went to explore the Blacksmith's shop. As I walked up to the building my eyes were drawn to the window to the left of the door, and I almost expected someone to be staring back at me. I entered the building, took several pictures, and glared at my EMF detector with it's caution light flickering worse than ever. I left to rejoin Danny.
We decided to investigate the Powder magazine next. As I walked down the first hall I went to take a picture, but the camera batteries were dead. I had just put new batteries in less than two weeks earlier, and hadn't used the camera since then! I exited, installed ne batteries, and returned to photograph the areas where Danny was again experiencing the blurring of the camcorder. I did not like being in the Powder Magazine, and left quickly.
We returned to the Blacksmith's shop to videotape. Danny again noticed a blurring with the camcorder in one particular corner of the room, and I took several photographs. My EMF detector was still flickering.
We then headed to the Sally Ports; a stone archway cut into the wall of the fort, about 20 feet deep with a 10 foot by 15 foot room on either side. We entered the room on the left first.b Danny noticed the blurring of the camcorder again, and I took pics. Upon review of the video we noted a quarter size circle of light move down one wall and out through a window; we were not using any flashlights at this time. At this point in the video the picture again began to roll, and there was "snow" on the bottom half of the picture; again Danny did not see this while filming. Danny also noticed that a heavy rusted metal door latch was moving side to side. Neither of us had touched the door or latch, and there was no breeze. I felt a cold spot there, and took several pictures. My flickering EMF detector did not pick up any new readings. A plane had not passed overhead causing any vibrations; however one did pass over while we were filming the latch, and it did not increase it's movement. We went into the room on the right, took more pictures, and returned to the room on the left. When we approached the door latch was not moving, but after we had been standing in front of it for several seconds it began to swing side to side ever so slightly. We took more pictures and left the area.
We proceeded to walk around the grounds taking many photos. I stopped to speak to Lew, when we were called over to the Torpedo Casemates by Danny who was again experiencing the blurriness of the camcorder. I entered the long hall first, and when I got to the end of that hall and turned to the right I immediatly felt uncomfortable, and did not want to be in there. I was really hoping that Danny and Lew were right behind me. I had a tingling feeling of anticipation and what I'd have to call dread - I almost didn't want to know what was around the next corner. I took many photographs and then left as quickly as possible. I took more photos of the grounds and then we left the fort.
We proceeded as a group to the building by the parking lot that had once been a hospital. I took photos of the building's exterior and the grounds. It is important to note here that upon exiting the fort itself the caution light on the EMF detector no longer flickered.
We then thanked Dori, and headed home. On the way, Danny and I listened to the cassette tape that we had been recording in the casemates. We picked up what we believe to be one EVP! It was a man's voice saying, in great distress, "keep away".
Impression: Fort Mifflin is a beautiful place to visit, and definitely warrants another follow up investigation. The feelings I had while exploring the fort, and the images we found in our video and in one picture lead me to believe there is haunting activity going on. I greatly enjoyed my visit to Fort Mifflin and hope to return soon.
Nancy S.
6/9/98