Deep Blue Diaries

Latest Episodes:

The Devil Wears Fata Oct 23, 2024

This episode of Deep Blue Diaries is taking you straight into the heart of some serious Ghost Ship Mysteries. We’re diving deep into the legend of Davy Jones, the ultimate sea devil you've seen in Pirates of the Caribbean—but there’s way more to his story than Hollywood lets on. Ever heard of Davy Jones' Locker? Spoiler: it's not where you want to end up. And then there's the Flying Dutchman, the most infamous of all ghost ships, cursed to sail the seas forever. I’m breaking down the gritty, spooky truth behind these legends and why they still give people chills. If you’re into ghost ships, blue true crime, dark ocean lore, and stories that make you want to leave the lights on, this is your episode. Let’s dive in—if you dare.

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Thanks to our show sponsor Dam Patch Co

Show notes:

Today’s show opener was an excerpt from John Boyle O’Reilly’s song “Songs of the Southern Seas” written in 1873.

If you’d like to read the The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett, written in 1751, or the The four years voyages of Capt. George Roberts written in 1725, both some of the earliest mentions of Davy Jones in print, or the book “Travels in various part of Europe, Asia and Africa during a series of thirty years and upward by John MacDonald, published in (1790) containing the the first known mention of the Flying Dutchman in print, I have put the full bucks in the Deep Blue Diaries Library and Patreon page.

Sources for today’s episode include:

Gutenburg.org

NPR.org

The Library of Congress Online

marineinsight.com

Mysteries of Ghost Ships: The Lady Lovibond Oct 21, 2024

It's a short one today, but that makes it no less fun to tell. The legend of the Lady Lovibond is about one of the most famous ghost ships in history, and on the shores of England, where the ship allegedly went down, one town is making sure she doesn't cause any more deaths.

Dead Calm, Empty Deck Oct 19, 2024

What do you get when you mix an abandoned ship, a perfectly set dinner table, and a whole crew that vanished into thin air? The Mary Celeste mystery. Welcome to the "Deep Boooo Diaries" - the Halloween miniseries on ghost ships. In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most bizarre maritime mysteries of all time. Was it mutiny? Pirates? A sea monster with a grudge? Or maybe something a little more... supernatural? Get ready for wild theories, unsettling clues, and plenty of "wait, what?" moments as we explore the case of the ship that set sail but never quite made it. Buckle up—it’s gonna be a bumpy ride across the high seas of weird. 🌊

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While I do spout fictional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at deepbluediariespod@gmail.com

Resources used for this episode:

https://findingaids.library.dal.ca/copies-of-historic-documents-regarding-the-mary-celeste
"The True Story of the Mary Celeste" documentary by Anne MacGregor https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1145953/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/

The Belgica Antarctic Expedition Oct 16, 2024

In this episode Deep Blue Diaries, we’ll plunge into one of the most chilling tales in maritime history—the Belgica Antarctic Expedition of 1897–1899. Join us as we explore the extraordinary true story of a crew of explorers who ventured into the uncharted waters of Antarctica, only to find themselves trapped in the ice for over a year. With no hope of escape, they battled extreme isolation, freezing temperatures, and a descent into madness.

All of my sources for this episode are below, but I want to particularly acknowledge author Julian Sancton, Julian and his book Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night.

Follow Jess:

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YouTube/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

While I do spout ficitional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at deepbluediariespod@gmail.com

Way-Hay and Up She Rises: How Sea Shanties Shaped Sailor Culture Oct 11, 2024

We’re setting sail into the rhythmic world of sea shanties—songs that once echoed across the decks of 15th-century ships, and recently made waves in a very different setting: your social media feed.

But what is it about these work songs that made them so essential to sailors braving the stormy seas—and why have they re-emerged as viral sensations centuries later?

In this episode, we unravel the complex origins of these songs. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the unsung heroes who preserved these maritime melodies, like Patrick Tayluer, whose adventurous tales blur the line between history and legend, and Jerzy Brzezinski, a modern-day sailor dedicated to keeping these traditions alive.

We’re exploring how shanties became more than just songs—they’re a lifeline to our collective past, a bridge across oceans, and a testament to the power of community. Tune in, and let’s find out if sea shanties really *do* drop your panties!

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Email: deepbluediariespod@gmail.com

Resources:

Check out Jerzy Brzezinski and his expansive project cataloguing and performing Sea Shanties:

Website: https://traditionalshanties.com/

A few notable resources that were invaluable to researching this episode:

The Library of Congress online: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2024/09/patrick-tayluer-the-greatest-sea-shanty-singer-youve-never-heard/

nautil.us

folkworks.org

trafalgarway.org

balladofamerica.org

classicalmusic.com

The Wellerman sung by Nathan Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP-7GNoDJ5c

Bones in the Ocean by The Longest Johns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6cPObw6wXA&list=PLfxnB1YXnxp7my7jD59O4yRmMDLvd1oje

“Blow, Boy, Blow,” performed by The Scratch Band, courtesy of culturalequity.org

https://archive.culturalequity.org/field-work/caribbean-1962/newcastle-762/blow-boy-blow-i

Whaling Johnny erformed by Stan Hugill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0C2kt99Kvw&list=OLAK5uy_k94VNBQNSxylbz10GsWF2-y0qEyEmqlH4&index=3

Patrick Tayleur tells his life story, courtesy of the Library Congress: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2024/09/patrick-tayluer-the-man-behind-the-sea-shanties/

Old Swansea Town Once More performed by Jerzy Brzezinski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qp9nGg2h6A

The Silent Pull: The Fatal Allure of Dahab's Blue Hole Oct 08, 2024

In this gripping episode, we journey to the shores of the Red Sea to explore Egypt's Blue Hole—a seemingly serene underwater sinkhole that has earned a deadly reputation among divers worldwide. Known ominously as the "Diver's Cemetery," this natural wonder lures adventurers with its crystal-clear waters and promises of breathtaking marine life. But beneath the tranquil surface lies a perilous abyss that has claimed countless lives.

What drives experienced divers to risk everything for a descent into the Blue Hole? How do natural conditions like deceptive currents and hidden tunnels contribute to the risks?

Join us as we uncover the mystique and menace of Egypt's Blue Hole.

Follow Jess:

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Get in Touch with Jess: jesstheprequel@gmail.com

Resources for today’s episode:

Delivering Doom: The Final Voyage of the USS Indianapolis Oct 07, 2024

Step aboard the USS Indianapolis as we travel back to a fateful night in the summer of 1945. In this gripping episode of *Deep Blue Diaries*, we bring to life the harrowing saga of the ship’s final voyage—a tale of courage, endurance, and ultimate tragedy.

Hear how a top-secret mission to deliver components for the atomic bomb led the Indianapolis into the crosshairs of a Japanese submarine, triggering a catastrophe that left hundreds of men struggling for survival in the open sea. For five days, they battled dehydration, starvation, and relentless shark attacks in an ordeal that tested the very limits of human endurance.

Follow Jess:

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Get in Touch with Jess: jesstheprequel@gmail.com

Resources for today’s episode:

USS Indianapolis Official Website:

USS Indianapolis CA-35 Legacy Organization

History.com:

Sinking of USS Indianapolis

Smithsonian Magazine:

Abandon Ship! The Saga of the USS Indianapolis

"In Harm's Way" by Doug Stanton:

A comprehensive account based on survivor interviews.

Eyewitness to History:

Disaster at Sea, 1945

Splash of Compassion: Reina the Northern Fur Seal Oct 01, 2024

Based on a true story*: Reina, a spirited northern fur seal thriving in the Northern Pacific Ocean, washes ashore disoriented and weak. Compassionate beachgoers initiate a desperate rescue effort, calling upon the dedicated team from the Marine Mammal Center. Can they figure out what's wrong with her in time to save her life?

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Meet Reina: https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/patients/nfs-546

Follow the Marine Mammal Center:

instagram/themarinemammalcenter

https://www.youtube.com/MarineMammalCenter

https://www.facebook.com/themarinemammalcenter

Follow Jess:

instagram/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

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Get in Touch with Jess: jesstheprequel@gmail.com

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*This series brings true rescue stories to life, with the reasons for each animal's rescue, their diagnosis, and their fate based on factual information published by the organizations that intervened. To vividly portray the lives these animals lead and to highlight the important work these organizations do, the narratives are enriched with fictionalized details—including imagery, names, dialogue, and other story elements. Unless otherwise stated, these stories are not affiliated with or endorsed by these organizations; they are crafted from publicly available information.

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