If you have submechanophobia, you might want to look away now as this list will certainly give you nightmares. But we have a feeling that most people have the fear of submerged man-made objects found underwater without even realizing it. After all, most of the objects found in the darkest depths of the ocean really shouldn't be there. And that leaves us wondering two things; how? And why did they end up in the depths? Well, take a look at these creepy submerged objects to try and work it out for yourself.
When Louisiana Is Left Behind
In 2005, the United States and many Caribbean islands were devastated by the arrival of category 5 Hurricane Katrina. Almost 1,400 lives were lost during the natural disaster, and around $145 billion worth of damage was recorded. And while many affected areas have been rebuilt since the ordeal, others have been left behind. Just like this building in Louisiana. This was once a family home, but now it's partially submerged in water.
Surrounded by water and overgrown trees, this house now looks like the scene of a terrifying horror movie. And while the family probably misses their home, we don't they'd want to move back in.
Holding on for Dear Life
Those who have visited Manhattan's Battery Park might already be familiar with this creepy submerged statue and the ghosts that haunt it. The American Merchant Mariners' Memorial was designed and sculpted by Marisol Escobal as a reminder of the mariners lost in the war. But Marisol obviously didn't want to create a normal sculpture. He wanted to create an impact with his work, and terrify all those who saw it.
The submerged mariner in the water is just out of reach from the rest of his crew, with his fate sealed. And the scary looks on their faces suggest that this wasn't a positive outcome.
The Coat With No Owner
The attack on Pearl Harbor is a piece of history that we'll never forget. During this attack, the USS Arizona was bombed by the enemy, causing the ship to sink and the 1,177 crewmembers to lose their lives. And while the memorial dedicated to this ship can be found above the surface of the water, the ship can still be found 40 feet underwater. In fact, many of the items onboard are still intact.
This old coat still hangs inside the USS Arizona today, waiting for its owner to come back and claim it. Who knows how much longer it will stay down there?
Trees of Death
We've all heard of the tree of life, but it seems as though that same notion can't be applied here. This picture shows the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, first installed in 2021 by reef artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The scuba diving attraction was designed as an underwater forest with over 130 sculptures a whopping 33 feet below the surface. But only those with a strong stomach dare descend to these depths.
Although the project was designed with the concept of "rewilding our oceans," the reality is that this underwater sculpture park has only seen a small number of visitors due to its creepiness.
The Green Monster
Those who have a fear of submerged objects and strange statues should probably avoid the Victor's Way Indian Sculpture Garden in Ireland. This place is home to 14 statues that were sculpted to display the spiritual progression to enlightenment, and the "Death of the Ferryman" is one of its most terrifying. Submerged in a pool of green algae, this sculpture is twice the size of a real person and looks only partly human.
This particular sculpture was actually a metaphor for someone who is losing touch with the real world, and there's no doubt about the fact that visitors will feel the same when they see this in person.
What's at the Other End?
It's funny how chains are rarely scary. But then you see something like this, and you have nightmares for weeks. But what's so scary about this chain found in the middle of the ocean is that it gives us no clues as to its purpose. What's it doing there? Who does it belong to? What's on the other end? As there are no answers to those questions, we simply fill in the blank with the unthinkable.
There might be a monster at the end of that chain, or there might be a sunken ship full of lost soldiers who took their last breath years ago. Either way, it's terrifying.
The Realities of Drought
It's no secret that the world is struggling. From deforestation to the bleaching of coral reefs, the natural world is in crisis mode - and this picture proves it. Located on the Colorado River, Lake Mead is a man-made reservoir formed by the famous Hoover Dam. And while it is considered to be the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of its water capacity, that water has been dwindling for decades.
This picture shows how drought and rising temperatures have affected the reservoir over the past four decades. And as the water level has dropped the towers have become even more apparent - and even more creepy.
Face to Face With History
Diving into the darkest depths of the ocean must be terrifying. Creatures and artifacts can lurk anywhere, and this diver realized this for themselves when they came face to face with another giant face. But that wasn't all. In finding this ancient Egyptian artifact, French archaeologist Franck Goddio and his team actually uncovered a lost Egyptian city that had only been spoken of in legends. In fact, most historians were beginning to wonder whether it had ever actually existed.
This statue was found within the lost city of Thonis-Heracleion in Abu Qir Bay, but it wasn't alone. The divers also uncovered countless statues, 64 lost ships, and thousands of old relics.
Reaching for Its Victim
If you're someone who enjoys jumping into the water whenever you come across a lake, river, or beach, you might want to think twice next time. Unless the water is crystal clear, it's impossible to know exactly what lurks beneath the surface - and you might find yourself regretting your decision. Hopefully, nobody jumped into this water and was caught by the creepy hand protruding up, ready to catch its next victim.
In reality, the "hand" below the surface is just a piece of a sunken pier. But there's no doubt about the fact that it looks absolutely terrifying from the top of the new construction.
Warning: Slippery Surface
The Hoover Dam is considered to be one of the most impressive feats of construction in the world. It painstakingly took the team five years to build the dam in the desert, but it took even longer to design it. After all, chief engineer Frank Crowe needed to account for any eventuality - including an overload of water. To combat this, numerous spillways were built, and this is one of them.
While the spillway was built for a practical purpose, it's fair to say that the 50-foot-wide, 600-foot-deep tunnel is absolutely terrifying. And whatever you do, don't slip and fall in...
Not Ready for Takeoff
Even the most confident fliers can have moments of apprehension. The act of flying just doesn't seem to make sense, and while stories of crashes are rare, they do happen. And while this underwater aircraft probably won't help to ease those worries, you might be happy to know that this particular plane was actually sunk on purpose as a way to promote a wider marine ecosystem. Thankfully, it didn't crash of its own accord.
The Lockheed L-1011 Tristar plane was sunk in 2019 in the Red Sea in Aqaba, Jordan. It was done to promote marine life and offer snorkelers and scuba divers a new attraction to explore.
A Train to Nowhere
There's nothing creepier than seeing a road or train track simply disappear into the horizon. That's why this picture is even more terrifying. Not only do these train tracks simply disappear without a trace, but they're also submerged underwater. And this begs the question, what were these train tracks built for? Well, you can actually find these tracks in the water of Lake Tahoe - and they're not train tracks at all.
Instead, these tracks were built as a way for wealthy owners of vacation homes to maneuver their boats into the water. These particular tracks were built for the incredible Hellman-Ehrman Mansion.
There Is No Escape
While this picture may look like a behemoth sea creature rearing its tentacles and hoping to catch the fishing boat in its grasp, the reality is that this picture shows the true vastness of fishing nets. All of those nets are coming from one tiny little boat, and it's fair to say that the fish in the waters below don't stand a chance when it comes to this terrifying ordeal.
While this picture is certainly creepy, it's also sad. Although the saying states that there are plenty more fish in the sea, with nets like these we don't think there will be for much longer.
A Flooded Autopsy Theater
Before 2005, Charity Hospital in New Orleans was legendary for all of the right reasons. It was known as the second oldest and the second largest free hospital in the history of the US - but then Hurricane Katrina changed all that. The hospital was devastated during the hurricane, and today it still sits abandoned due to the extent and the nature of the damage. And this creepy picture shows the flooded autopsy chamber found in the basement.
As if an autopsy chamber wasn't terrifying enough, the submerged bed and seating area make it even more horrific. And if we're being totally honest, it looks straight out of a horror movie.
Watch Where You Swin
People who have submechanophobia probably aren't the kind of people to dive to great depths, especially when those depths are pitch black with very little visibility. But those in charge of looking after Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland know that there are some divers who love exploring new attractions, which is why this lake is full of giant sculptures, including a shark with razor-sharp teeth and this terrifying metallic dragon.
However, we can't help but think that even the most thrill-seeking divers would mess up their wetsuits if they came face-to-face with this thing. It looks like a terrifying relic from the prehistoric era.
No Dive Bombing Allowed
At first glance, this swimming pool looks like it would be terrifying for those who have submechanophobia and trypophobia (the fear of holes). After all, this picture just doesn't make sense. It looks as though the pool has giant holes in it, but there's no indication as to where those holes lead to. They look dark, they look dangerous, and they look super creepy. You'll be happy to know they're not holes, though!
This pool can actually be found in an apartment building in Australia, and it's located above the lobby. Because of this, the holes are actually skylights, allowing those underneath to look up into the pool.
Do Not Enter
Every country around the world has pedestrian passageways to allow pedestrians to cross roads with ease. There's no need to worry about being run over by cars, as you simply need to descend underground through the concrete tunnel. And while people do this every day, those in Shizuoka, Japan needed to make a tough decision this day. They could either brave the road aboveground, or they could swim to the other side.
Recent rains in the city caused the entire passageway to flood, leaving an eerie pocket of water behind. But if apocalyptic movies have taught us anything, it's not to enter the flooded underground passageway.
His Name Was Jason...
Horror movie lovers will be familiar with Jason Voorhees and Friday the 13th. And while it's not uncommon to see this masked man on the television screen, we can't imagine that divers expected to see him submerged underwater while they were going for a leisurely dive in Crosby, Minnesota. In fact, we have a feeling that this put them off diving for life. And that's all thanks to scuba diver Doug Klein.
When Doug came across some excess material in his garage, he decided to make a life-size Jason Voorhees and sink it 120 feet at the bottom of the state-owned mine pit called Louise. It's been scaring divers ever since.
Holding up the Ocean
The Bahamas is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The beaches are pristine, the cocktails are legendary, and the waters are crystal clear. On the one hand, the clear water is perfect for those who are terrified of what lurks beneath the water, as there shouldn't be any surprises. But on the other hand, this statue exists - and it's the largest single underwater structure in the world.
The "Ocean Atlas" depicts a young girl carrying the weight of the ocean above her, as a nod towards the Ancient Greek myth of Atlas, who held up the heavens. And it's beautifully terrifying.
When You See It
When you first look at this picture, it probably doesn't look too unusual. It looks like a classic photo of a fountain in a lake, surrounded by trees and foliage. But when you take a closer look, you can see that the fountain isn't the only thing in the middle of the lake. Submerged below the surface is a statue, and the only thing those on land can see is a giant sword protruding from the water.
This is the Lady of the Lake statue in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. And below the surface is the sculpture of a woman - you just can't see her unless you go underwater.
Frozen in Time
In waters around the world, there are hidden shipwrecks. And while some have been lost to the depths forever, others have been uncovered by divers and archaeologists alike. The same can be said for the shipwreck of Gunilda, a steel-hulled steam yacht that sunk in Lake Superior in 1911. Terrifyingly, the shipwreck lay hidden for decades, until it was finally discovered 270 feet under the surface in 1967. What's even worse is that it was perfectly preserved.
In fact, the waters of Lake Superior are so cold that most of the shipwrecks found here are still in almost perfect condition. This is also the case for bodies found there.
The Flower of Death
Although the open ocean is terrifying, there's something about reservoirs that make our skin tingle. From the man-made aspect to the sheer size of these reservoirs, they're creepy in so many different ways - and this one in Armenia is no different. In the middle of this reservoir is a giant flower of death, where water pours down into the abyss below. So if you go swimming here, beware of the drop.
Although this is actually just a river overflow, the sight of this from across the reservoir would no doubt send shivers down your spine. Who knows where the water goes?
Swimming With Skeletons
You probably don't need us to tell you that cemeteries are terrifying. Even if you try to ignore the fact that people are buried under the ground you're walking on, they're also always freezing cold and give you the feeling that you're being watched. To make matters worse, this cemetery in Somerset, United Kingdom found itself submerged underwater during some torrential winter flooding in 2014. And we hate to think about what's in that water.
In the past, flooded cemeteries have caused coffins to rise up in the water, and bones to float on the surface. So, we can only assume the same thing happened here.
Stuck In the Deep Blue Sea
If you live by the coast, you have to deal with the odd boat floating past you. But the people who lived in Brittany, France, found themselves in a strange situation in 1978 when the Amoco Cadiz oil carrier ran aground and split into three. Amazingly, there were no fatalities, but the ship poked itself out of the ocean for a few weeks before she was bombed to the ocean floor.
While the sinking itself is terrifying, the deepness of the ocean is what's really giving us the creeps. That house isn't too far away from the giant ship, yet the water looks impenetrable.
Going, Going, Gone...
Those who have submechanophobia probably avoid boats and cruise ships, despite the fact that they are incredibly safe. But that doesn't mean that they have a 100% success rate. In 2012, the Costa Concordia cruise ship struck a rock off the coast of Italy, where it tore a 160 ft hole into the hull. The ship immediately started filling with water, before it tipped completely onto its side. Interestingly, the captain abandoned the ship and fled the scene!
All in all, 32 people died as a result of this tragedy - but that wasn't all. Turning the ship back to a vertical position and towing it back to land cost a massive $2 billion.
A Different Kind of Fish Tank
It's not unusual to find strange things under the water. From lost belongings to old lobster pots, these things can normally be found on the sea bed. But in a creepy turn of events, you can now find countless military tanks waiting for you under the water - and they're not too far away from the combat helicopter, anti-aircraft guns, and even an army crane. But why? And how did they get there?
It turns out that these military items were actually sunk deliberately into the Red Sea by the government of Jordan. The aim was to create an underwater museum for divers.
A Very Close Call
If you have ever been in charge of driving a small boat, you'll know that it's not easy. You have to maintain control over the vessel at all times, otherwise, you could be swept away in the current. And while this is most people's nightmare, it seems as though this became the reality for these people in Texas. As their motorboat lost power, they got closer and closer to the dam spillway.
As you can see, it wasn't a small drop, and they were teetering right over the edge. And we bet these people all wet their pants - and not because of the river.
Swept Into the Abyss
Let's be honest; the majority of people don't really want to live on the water. While there are some people who go out of their way to live on a houseboat, others try to keep their homes as dry as possible. Sadly for the owner of this house, they didn't have much of a choice when the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami completely ravaged their home and swept them out into the abyss.
In the end, the house ended up floating in the Pacific. And we can only hope that the inhabitants of this house managed to get out with their most prized possessions before they got there.
A Remnant of the Drowned City
Although they're terrifying in every way, the world needs dams for hydroelectric power and for the safety of the surrounding landscapes. And while we understand that, it doesn't make the flooded town of Potosí any less creepy. This Venezuelan town was deliberately flooded by the government back in 1985 to make way for a dam - and luckily, the people who lived there were pre-warned before their whole town was submerged underwater.
Today, the only remnant of Potosí that you can see from above the surface of the water is the church steeple. And this just makes the whole thing look even eerier.
The Stairs to Where?
We probably don't need to tell you, but you should never dive anywhere like this without proper experience. In fact, even those who do have proper experience might want to avoid this - as there's no telling what lies underneath that waterline. Sure, there's a staircase to allow for easy access, but are the stairs going up or down? There's no telling which way they're going, which makes this even more frightening.
Although we're curious as to what lies underneath that water, the whole picture is so creepy that we don't care if we never come to learn what this cave holds.
In The North Sea, Somewhere
The North Sea can be found between Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. And while the countries surrounding it are beautiful, the North Sea has a reputation for being incredibly creepy. The water is choppy, the currents are strong, and the weather systems in the winter are harsh. And while you wouldn't last long if you fell into the water, the North Sea is home to many eerie oil rigs like this.
In total, there are 184 off-shore oil rigs in the North Sea. But when they're surrounded by mist and choppy waters, they look like something straight out of a horror movie.
The Ghost Fleet
During the war, shipbuilders in the United States were working overtime. As there was a shortage of steel, ships were made from wood - but when the war ended, these wooden ships were no longer needed. Instead of recycling them or repurposing them in some way, the ships were sent to Mallows Bay in Potomac, Maryland. In fact, they still stand there today, jutting out of the water like ribs.
As the boats were made from wood, they have been used as a natural ecosystem enhancer for the plants and wildlife that live around the area. And although it's creepy, it's now a marine sanctuary.
To the Center of the Earth
Have you ever wondered how you get to the center of the Earth? Well, we're not 100% sure, but we think this might be the entrance you definitely need to avoid at all costs. One slip around this giant hole and you'll be falling for eternity. You might even get caught up in all the moss and foliage along the way, which makes the whole thing even creepier than we ever thought it could be.
Although this is just a reservoir overspill, we have to question its location. Why would you build a bridge right next to it? Let's hope nobody has tried to jump to the center of the world from here.
"Comes With Pool"
Many people dream of one day owning a house with a pool. It's the ultimate luxury and something that people spend their lives working towards. And while we'd take an indoor or outdoor pool, there's no doubt about the fact that this particular house is out of our top ten. Sure, it might have a pool, but we're pretty sure all of that water isn't actually supposed to be there. That basement is just flooded.
From the color of the water to the dingy basement decoration, there's something about this pool that just makes our skin crawl. Even the swan floatie looks as though it's seen some things.
Hopefully the Glass Won't Break
In Long Beach, California lies the Queen Mary ocean. Although it's now a hotel, it's also a museum that allows people to walk below the water line to the engine rooms, take haunted tours, and even enter their "Propellor Room." This room looks down upon the port side propellor of the ship and allows visitors the chance to look down at the murky water below, and the sheer size of the propellor.
Each blade of this propellor is as tall as a grown man, and although visitors are safe inside a room, many have been known to panic or develop shortness of breath looking down at it.
No Church on Sunday
There are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who believe that churches are beautiful, and then there are those who find them to be creepy. But even those who love churches can't deny that this submerged church is terrifying. It's located 15 meters below the surface of Ilsesee Lake in Bavaria and sits alongside a whole village. But this wasn't a village that people lived in.
Instead, an old quarry was flooded to make an interesting attraction for divers. The structures were built specifically for the diving playground and then sunk to encourage the growth of the underwater ecosystem.
Home of the 3-Eyed Fish
It's no secret that we utilize nuclear power in today's day and age. And while nuclear energy can be beneficial, it can also produce a lot of waste that can't be disposed of in the same way as other energy sources. This picture shows the inside of Sellafield, a nuclear power plant in the United Kingdom. In fact, it's home to 80% of the UK's nuclear waste, and it's placed inside a giant storage pool.
The pool is 26 feet deep and kept at a constant temperature of 68 degrees, and it's fair to say that there are stringent health and safety protocols to consider at this facility.
A Beautiful Disaster
When you look at the background of this image, it's clear to see that it was taken in a beautiful part of the world. And it was. This photo was taken from the shore of Loch Linnhe in Scotland, and the mountains provide a stunning backdrop to such a creepy foreground image. But what makes this situation even more terrifying is that nobody knows how or why "The Corpach Wreck" sits where it is today.
Local folklore hints that the fishing boat emerged from stormy waters to look upon the beauty of the nearby Ben Nevis while its owner was away visiting family. But this has since been contested.
A Final Resting Place
As one of the main lakes to make up the Great Lakes region, Lake Superior has seen its fair share of shipwrecks over the years. One of the most famous is the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank with 29 crew on board during a storm in 1975. To this day, it remains the largest ship to have ever sunk there, and divers brave enough to go under the surface have seen its wreckage for themselves.
However, this wreck is considered to be so historically important that only those with an archaeological license can dive here. Plus, it's so deep that amateur divers would likely suffer from the bends.
A Dangerous Gold Mine
There are abandoned gold mines all around the world, and many people tend to steer clear of them for their own sanity and safety. But every so often there comes along someone who wants to explore - and the person who took this photo was one of them. They had walked 50m into a narrow gold mine that was 150 years old, and then came across this bizarre and creepy verticle shaft.
Although the shaft is full of clear water, there's no doubt about the fact that you wouldn't want to swim there. After all, where does it go? And how acidic is that water?