Episoder
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Captain Samuel Francis Knowles began his career on the sea at a very young age, honing his skills as a teenager aboard ships out of Boston. He would go on to captain several ships including the Norway and the Mary S. Ames. Captain Frank survived a fire on board the Norway, with all hands saved, and a hurricane that sank the Mary S. Ames. Throughout his years on the seas, Captain Frank had many adventures, and his legacy lives on through his ships' logs, diaries, and notes. Captain Frank's great-great-granddaughter Amy Giannotti joins me as my guest. Amy is an environmental scientist, scuba diver, and Director of Development for Schoolyard Films, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2008.
For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/11/05/a-sailors-tale-captain-frank-knowles/.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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On October 9, 1862, David Henry White was kidnapped at sea from the United States merchant ship Tonawanda by Captain Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama. The young man was from a free, black family of Lewes, Delaware, and was employed on the Tonawanda by the Cope Line as a passenger cook.
Dr. Andrew Sillen, author of Kidnapped at Sea, discusses the story of David Henry White, his life while enslaved on the CSS Alabama, and the Lost Cause myth proliferated by the memoir of Semmes.
For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/10/19/kidnapped-at-sea-david-henry-white/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The Skeleton Coast of Namibia is infamous for the countless shipwrecks scattered along its shores, a haunting reminder of the treacherous conditions mariners have faced for centuries. Thick, unpredictable fogs, strong Atlantic currents, and hidden sandbars have made navigating this coastline perilous, often leading ships to run aground. Some of the wrecks, dating as far back as the early Portuguese explorers, remain visible today, slowly being reclaimed by the sands. The coast earned its name because of these wrecks and the skeletal remains of whales, seals, elephants, and even humans found on its shores.
Notable shipwrecks, like the Dunedin Star and Eduard Bohlen, offer a glimpse into the tragic history of those who sailed too close to the Skeleton Coast. The Dunedin Star ran aground in 1942, prompting a dramatic rescue operation, while the Eduard Bohlen, stranded in 1909, now rests eerily in the middle of the desert due to shifting sands. These wrecks, partially buried and weathered by time, have become iconic landmarks, drawing adventurers and history enthusiasts alike to this isolated coastline. The haunting presence of these wrecks is a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature in this remote and desolate region.
For images, sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/10/06/the-skeleton-coast/.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The Ocean Ranger disaster occurred on February 15, 1982, when the semi-submersible offshore drilling rig sank off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic. A severe winter storm caused massive waves and hurricane-force winds, leading to water breaching the rig’s ballast control room. A series of mechanical and human errors in handling the flooding worsened the situation, and eventually, the rig capsized. Tragically, all 84 crew members on board died, marking the worst disaster in Canadian offshore oil exploration history.
For images, sources, and a list of the Ocean Ranger's crew, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/09/19/the-ocean-ranger-disaster/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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Ships of the Crusades
Joining me for this episode is Dr. Nicholas Morton, Associate Professor with the School of Arts and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University. Dr. Morton has written many books, including The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East.
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by European Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries, aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control. These campaigns involved significant military efforts that spanned several decades, resulting in ongoing conflicts between European powers and Muslim territories in the Middle East. The Crusaders relied heavily on reinforcements, supplies, and communication from Europe, making maritime logistics essential for their campaigns. As many of the Crusades targeted areas like the Levant, which bordered the Mediterranean, control of sea routes became crucial for maintaining the flow of troops, weapons, food, and other supplies.
Ships played a vital role in transporting Crusaders, their horses, and their supplies across the Mediterranean. These vessels were typically galleys and large sailing ships equipped for both war and transport. Galleys, in particular, were favored for their speed and maneuverability, often being rowed when winds were unfavorable. Large Byzantine warships were used extensively by both Crusaders and their allies. Merchant ships were also repurposed to carry heavy equipment and reinforcements. Maritime supply lines were vulnerable to enemy attacks, and naval battles were frequent, with Crusaders often needing the protection of fleets from Venetian or Genoese navies, who provided expertise in shipbuilding and navigation. These fleets were essential in maintaining the Crusaders' foothold in the Holy Land.
https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/09/08/ships-of-crusades/
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The bulk carrier SS Marine Electric went down on February 12th, 1983, 30 miles off the coast of Virginia during a severe winter storm. The World War 2 era ship had been been deteriorating for years and suffered from rust, corrosion, failed pumps, and faulty safety features that the ship's owners, Marine Transport Lines had neglected to repair. Only 3 out of 34 crewmembers survived the wreck. Many Coast Guard reforms were developed as a result of this tragedy, including the formation of the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.
For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/08/24/ss-marine-electric/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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History Daily
From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by Lindsay Graham.
Audio editing and sound design by Mollie Baack.
Music by Lindsay Graham.
This episode is written and researched by James Benmore.
Executive Producers are Steven Walters for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
December 14, 1911. Roald Amundsen becomes the first person to reach the South Pole.
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The Halifax Explosion of 1917 occurred on December 6 when the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship laden with explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the narrow harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The collision caused a massive explosion that devastated the surrounding area, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths and injuring around 9,000 people. The blast obliterated buildings, started fires, and triggered a tsunami, causing widespread destruction in Halifax and the neighboring community of Dartmouth. It was the largest man-made explosion prior to the development of nuclear weapons, leaving a lasting impact on the city.
For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/08/04/the-halifax-explosion-of-1917/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The USS Thresher (SSN-593) was a nuclear-powered submarine that tragically sank on April 10, 1963, during a deep-diving test about 220 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. This disaster resulted in the loss of all 129 crew members and civilians on board, marking the deadliest submarine disaster in U.S. history. The Thresher's sinking highlighted critical flaws in submarine design and emergency response procedures, leading to the implementation of the SUBSAFE program, which significantly improved the safety and reliability of subsequent U.S. Navy submarines. The exact cause of the sinking remains undetermined, but it is believed to involve a combination of mechanical failure and human error under the extreme pressures of deep-sea conditions.
For images, sources, and a list of those who perished on USS Thresher, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/22/the-loss-of-uss-thresher/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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Lord Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), was a daring and influential British naval officer renowned for his unconventional tactics and audacious exploits during the Napoleonic Wars. Known for his strategic brilliance and fearless leadership, Cochrane earned a reputation as one of the most successful frigate captains in the Royal Navy, particularly for his devastating raids on enemy ships and coastal installations. His innovative use of fireships and his bold attacks on French and Spanish vessels contributed significantly to British naval victories. Beyond his naval career, Cochrane was also a reformer in politics, advocating for naval and parliamentary reforms and challenging corruption. His life inspired the literary character Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's novels, cementing his legacy as a charismatic and resourceful naval commander.
For this episode's show page, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/07/lord-thomas-cochrane-the-sea-wolf/.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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Lord Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), was a daring and influential British naval officer renowned for his unconventional tactics and audacious exploits during the Napoleonic Wars. Known for his strategic brilliance and fearless leadership, Cochrane earned a reputation as one of the most successful frigate captains in the Royal Navy, particularly for his devastating raids on enemy ships and coastal installations. His innovative use of fireships and his bold attacks on French and Spanish vessels contributed significantly to British naval victories. Beyond his naval career, Cochrane was also a reformer in politics, advocating for naval and parliamentary reforms and challenging corruption. His life inspired the literary character Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's novels, cementing his legacy as a charismatic and resourceful naval commander.
For this episode's show page, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/07/lord-thomas-cochrane-the-sea-wolf/.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The Lakonia was launched in 1929 as the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (JVO) of the Netherlands Line as an ocean liner, servicing the route between Europe and the Dutch East Indies. After being converted to a troop ship during World War 2, she returned to passenger service until 1963, when she was sold to the Greek Line. The JVO was refurbished and renamed as the Lakonia, then relaunched as a cruise ship. In December of 1963, the ship was en route from Southampton, England to the Canary Islands with over over 1000 passengers and crew when a fire broke out in the hair salon, caused by faulty wiring. A slow response by the ship's crew, contradictory orders, and faulty lifeboats resulted in the deaths of 128 people.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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The 1881 Steamboat Victoria disaster in London, Ontario, Canada, remains one of the most tragic maritime accidents in Canadian history. On May 24, 1881, the Victoria, a paddlewheel steamboat, was packed with passengers enjoying a holiday excursion on the Thames River. However, tragedy struck when the boat became unstable, and its boiler came loose from its mountings. The boiler crashed through the support stanchions, causing the upper deck to collapse on those below, and the boat to sink. Over 180 passengers perished.
For images and sources related to this episode, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/?p=1444.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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From History Daily, hosted by Lindsay Graham, The Sinking of the Laconia. Get ad-free access to History Daily, Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, and many other fantastic history podcasts, on the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
September 12, 1942. During the Second World War, a German U-boat sinks the RMS Laconia, killing over 1,600 of the British liner’s passengers.
From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham.
Audio editing by Muhammad Shahzaib.
Sound design by Mischa Stanton.
Music by Lindsay Graham.
This episode is written and researched by Erik Archilla.
Executive Producers are Alexandra Currie-Buckner for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
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On December 20, 1987, the Philippines experienced the worst peacetime maritime disaster in history when the MV Doña Paz, a passenger ferry, collided with the MT Vector, an oil tanker. The accident occurred near the Tablas Strait, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed both vessels. The MV Doña Paz was heavily overcrowded with an estimated 4,385 people. Only 25 passengers from the Doña Paz survived.
For images and sources related to this episode, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/?p=1425.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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On the 9th of June, 1727, the Dutch East India Company vessel Zeewijk wrecked on Half Moon Reef of the Houtman Abrolhos, off the coast of Western Australia. The ship was not immediately destroyed and many of the ship's supplies were salvaged and brought to a small nearby coral island, later named Gun Island. After 9 months stranded on the island, the remaining survivors remarkably built a boat out of the scrap of the Zeewijk and sailed over 1600 miles to the Dutch settlement of Batavia on the island of Java.
Author and historian Dr. Howard Gray joins me once again, to bring his expert knowledge of the history of Western Australia and the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago. Dr. Gray has written several books, including Lucretia's Batavia Diary, and you can find his publications at Westralian Books, https://www.westralianbooks.com.au.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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Salty Science are Chantale Bégin, Isabelle Côté Noelle Helder, and Lauren Shea, and all four of them are marine scientists. In December of 2023, they rowed across the Atlantic Ocean as part of The World's Toughest Row. They finished first in the women's division, and overall 7th out of 38 teams, finishing in front of many of the men's teams as well.
Their objective was to raise money and awareness to support charities focused on marine conservation education. I was able to chat with the team again to discuss the challenges and triumphs of their journey, and their experiences along the way.
To learn more about Salty Science, please visit https://www.saltyscience.org.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
The General Slocum shipwreck occurred on June 15, 1904, when the passenger steamboat caught fire while cruising along the East River in New York City. Carrying over 1,300 passengers, primarily members of the German-American community on an annual excursion, the disaster resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives, mainly women and children. Outdated safety measures, locked gates, malfunctioning lifeboats, and inadequate life vests contributed to the tragedy, prompting significant reforms in maritime safety regulations and leaving a profound impact on New York City's history and the public's consciousness.
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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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PJ Ornot is a retired United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, having served 24 years in the service. PJ was stationed in many locations throughout his career including North Carolina, Louisiana, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Florida. PJ and Rich discuss his experiences, including some rough rescues, a bizarre conspiracy, and emotional moments.
For images, sources, and transcripts please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/04/07/pj-ornot-uscg-rescue-swimmer/
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Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland was struck by the container ship MV Dali. The bridge completely collapsed moments later. Eight construction workers were on the bridge at the time. Although two men were rescued, six are missing and presumed dead.
In this episode, I provide a timeline of events leasing to the disaster, including clips from the police radio. I also provide a short history of the bridge, and the MV Dali.
https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/03/27/the-baltimore-bridge-disaster/
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