Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Latest Episodes:

El Faro: The Clock is Ticking Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

The sinking of the SS El Faro on October 1, 2015 was a devastating maritime disaster that occurred during Hurricane Joaquin. The American cargo ship, owned by TOTE Maritime, was en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it encountered the powerful hurricane, leading to a distress call reporting a hull breach and severe listing. All 33 crew members tragically lost their lives, prompting investigations that revealed a combination of factors, including decisions made by the captain, malfunctioning equipment, safety concerns, and maintenance issues, all contributing to the disaster. The sinking of El Faro was the worst US commercial shipping disaster since the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

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A Chat With Real Pirate, Capt. Tonz Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Real, modern-day pirate Capt. Tonz has led an adventurous and dangerous life on the seas, and has many stories to tell. From a young age, Capt. Tonz struck out on his own as a mariner and learned the tricks of his trade.

Capt. Tonz gives us a little taste of his life-story, and you can hear the rest on his own podcast, Original Pirate Material. Visit https://www.captaintonz.com for more.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

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The Final Voyage of SS Atlantic Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

The SS Atlantic disaster occurred on April 1, 1873, when the British steamship SS Atlantic, carrying over 900 passengers and crew, struck rocks off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. The ship was en route from Liverpool, England, to New York City but faced severe weather conditions and navigational errors that led to its tragic demise. The impact caused the vessel to quickly sink, resulting in the loss of around 550 lives, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters of its time. Despite rescue efforts by local residents, the combination of rough seas, inadequate life-saving equipment, and the remote location of the wreck contributed to the high death toll, leaving a haunting legacy in maritime history.

Special guest: Maritime historian Kirby Ross.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

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The Lost Franklin Expedition Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

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The Franklin Expedition of 1845 was a British voyage led by Sir John Franklin in an attempt to navigate the Northwest Passage, a coveted sea route through the Arctic. Comprising two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, the expedition aimed to explore uncharted territories but tragically ended in disaster. The ships became trapped in ice off King William Island, and all 129 crew members perished. Despite numerous search missions, the fate of the expedition remained a mystery for over 150 years until the wrecks of the Erebus and Terror were discovered in 2014 and 2016 respectively, shedding light on the hardships faced by the crew, including exposure, starvation, and lead poisoning from poorly preserved food cans, contributing to their demise.

For show notes and photo gallery, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2023/12/12/franklin-expedition/.

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Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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Operation Catapult: Assault of the French Fleet Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

In 1940, after Nazi Germany's Western Europe invasion, France capitulated and became a puppet state, while Britain stood alone against Germany. Concerned about the French Naval fleet surrendering to Germany, Britain proposed an ultimatum to Vichy France, leading to a breakdown in their alliance. The events led to intense battles at Mers-El-Kebir and Dakar involving leading military figures of the period.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

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You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

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Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

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The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10, 1975. The ship's crew of 29 men were all lost. She was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes when it was launched on June 7, 1958. It remains the largest ship to have sunk in the Great Lakes.

The Fitzgerald's mysterious demise inspired Gordon Lightfoot's hit song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976), which helped make it the most famous shipwreck in the Great Lakes.

The Fitzgerald's wreckage is in two pieces at the bottom of Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point has a bell on display as a memorial to the lost crew.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

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American Revolution: The Battle of Ushant Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Bonus episode! American Revolution Podcast by Michael Troy.

British Admiral Augustus Keppel and French Admiral Louis Guillouet, the comte d'Orvilliers lead fleets into the Atlantic. Each hope to destroy the other's fleet. After a relatively inconclusive battle at sea both battered fleets return to port. Disputes between top officers end careers on both sides. British Admirals Keppel and Palliser create a rift that divides naval officers and political leaders for a generation.

Visit https://blog.AmRevPodcast.com for more text, pictures, maps, and sources on this topic.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

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The RMS Republic Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

In 1909, the RMS Republic of the White Star Line was struck by the SS Florida, and sank off Nantucket in the North Atlantic. It was rumored to be carrying a large quantity of gold, silver, and other valuables, but none of it has been found. Maritime writer James B. Connolly happened to be on board the ship, and he went to great lengths to get his articles about the accident published. Descendant of James B. Connolly, Paul O'Donnell joins me as my guest.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

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Wild West Extravaganza: The Arrest of Annie Oakley Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

August 1903. The famous Annie Oakley is arrested in Chicago for theft, a crime committed in order to obtain money to fuel her cocaine habit. And what a headline that made. America’s original sweetheart, the tiny sharpshooter who once entertained kings and queens, now reduced to petty thievery. Wasn’t long before newspapers throughout the country began to report on this fall from grace.

Enter in William Randolph Hearst, son of mining tycoon George Hearst, who ruled a media empire and had his eye on the white house. There was no story too sensational or salacious for him to print, the truth be damned.

What happened when the darling of the Wild West Show goes to war with one of the most powerful men in the country? A man with very deep pockets and an army of Pinkertons? Did Annie Oakley even have a chance at clearing her name? Find out on this girl power episode of The Wild West Extravaganza!

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

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Return to the Andrea Doria Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

The crew of the D/V Tenacious returns to the Andrea Doria with a team of Italian divers to record the condition of the wreck from bow to stern. Italian divers Andrea Murdock Alpini, David D'Anna, and Marco Setti make an emotional dive to the legendary ship that was once the pride of Italy. Jenn Sellitti of D/V Tenacious is my guest.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member!

Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!

⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:

⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Join the Into History Network for ad-free access to this and many other fantastic history podcasts!

⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

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