Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Latest Episodes:

Japanese Hell Ships with Jenny Chan Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Hell Ships is the name given to prisoner of war transport ships used by the Empire of Japan during World War 2. These ships were truly nightmarish. Thousands of POWs were crammed shoulder to shoulder in the holds of these ships, in brutal heat, unsanitary conditions, with rancid water, limited food, and no room to lie down. These ships were also unmarked, and were often targeted by Allied planes, ships, and submarines. Rich and guest Jenny Chan discuss Hell Ships and other atrocities during the war in the Pacific.

Rich is joined by Jenny Chan, who is the co-founder of Pacific Atrocities Education. Learn more at pacificatrocities.org.

This episode was written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. Original theme music is by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠.

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs merchandise is available at shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

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The Ghost Ship of the Carroll A. Deering Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

The 5- masted schooner Carroll A. Deering was discovered abandoned on January 31, 1921, hard aground on the treacherous Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras. All crew members had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a fully set table in the galley, personal belongings, and signs that the vessel had been recently occupied, but with its lifeboats missing. The ship’s logs and navigational equipment were also gone. Despite investigations by the United States Coast Guard and speculation ranging from piracy to mutiny or even supernatural causes, no definitive explanation was ever found. The fate of the ship's crew remains a mystery.

This episode was written by Madeleine Gassin. Edited and produced by Rich Napolitano. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

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The USS Narcissus with Madison from It's a History Podcast Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

The USS Narcissus was a Union screw tug during the American Civil War, originally built as the stram tug, Mary Cook in 1863. USS Narcissus sank for the first time in 1864 in Mobile Bay, but was refloated, repaired, and put back into service. Her fatal sinking was in 1866, off the coast of Egmont Key, in the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida.

This episode was researched and written by Rich Napolitano and Madison Schmidt..All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

All episodes of It's a History Podcast can be found at itsahistorypodcast.com.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

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The Rescue of HMS Rockingham Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

HMS Rockingham was an armed convoy escort of the Royal Navy during World War 2. Originally built as USS Swasey for the U.S. Navy, she was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1940 as part of the "Destroyers for Bases" deal. On 27 September, 1944, Rockingham struck a mine off the coast of Scotland, requiring a daring rescue in rough seas.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Bonus) Flotsam & Jetsam: Miss Unsinkable Violet Jessop Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Violet Jessop was a stewardess for the White Star Line and survived three maritime disasters. She was on board the RMS Olympic in 1911 when it collided with HMS Hawke, RMS Titanic when it famously sank in 1912, and HMHS Britannic when it struck a German mine in 1916. Her early life in Argentina and later England was a constant struggle, but she survived despite adversity and tragedy. Violet Jessop has been called "Miss Unsinkable" ever since.
Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.
Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.
Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

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HMHS Britannic: Titanic's Lost Sister Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

HMHS Britannic was built by Harland & Wolff for the White Star Line as an OIympic Class ocean liner. Her older sisters were RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic. Britannic never realized the glory of translatlantic passenger service, as she was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a hospital ship for service during World War I. On 21 November 1916, Britannic struck a German mine in the Aegean Sea sank. Thirty sailors and medical staff were lost, but 1,036 survived.

As noted in the episode, the following is a link to the article by Mark Churnside and Paul Lee regarding the "Gigantic" name controversy. https://www.paullee.com/titanic/gigantic.php

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The OceanGate Titan Submersible: A Preventable Tragedy - Part 2 Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible imploded during a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic, killing OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, ocean explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and civilians Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, and 19 year old Suleman Dawood. Many industry experts warned Stockton Rush of his reckless methods, reliance on untested and unproven materials, and lack of safety standards.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series, describing the creation of a second Titan hull, problems during testing and scheduled dives, and its three expeditions to the Titanic, culminating in its final, fateful voyage in 2023.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Follow Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

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The OceanGate Titan Submersible: A Preventable Tragedy - Part 1 Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

This is part 1 of a two-part series, that looks at Stockton Rush's background, the formation of OceanGate, and the development of the Titan submersible, originally named Cyclops II.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Listen AD-FREE by becoming an Officer's Club Member!

Join on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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(Bonus) The 1872 Wreck of Lac La Belle Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Lac La Belle was a wooden passenger and cargo steamer built in 1864. Her troubled career included several groundings and a collision with another ship that caused her to sink in 1866. After being refloated Lac La Belle was lost in a storm in 1872 on Lake Michigan and remained undiscovered for 150 years. In February 2026, it was announced she had been finally found by shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠⁠.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Listen AD-FREE by becoming an Officer's Club Member!

Join on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspo⁠⁠⁠⁠d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Join through Apple Podcasts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/4j60XCG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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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The Battle of Jutland w/Chris Sams Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Maritime historian Chris Sams joins me to discuss the Battle of Jutland. Fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916 in the North Sea, it was the largest naval engagement of the First World War and the only full-scale clash between Britain’s Royal Navy Grand Fleet and Germany’s High Seas Fleet. Commanded by Admirals Sir John Jellicoe and Sir David Beatty for Britain and Vice Admiral Reinhard Scheer and Admiral Franz von Hipper for Germany, the battle unfolded through a series of dramatic encounters involving battlecruisers and dreadnought battleships.

Follow Chris Sams on Substack at https://jerijerod14.substack.com/.

Listen to Maritime History with Chris Sams - Live and Unplugged at https://jerijerod14.substack.com/podcast.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, notes, and merchandise can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Original theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Sean Sigfried⁠⁠⁠, and you can find him at ⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠.

*No compensation or remuneration was paid to, or paid by, Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs or Rich Napolitano for Mr. Sams to participate in this episode.

**No AI was used in the production of this episode.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, tragic loss, and incredible accomplishments on the world's oceans and waterways.

Listen AD-FREE by becoming an Officer's Club Member!

Join on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shipwreckspo⁠⁠⁠d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Join through Apple Podcasts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/4j60XCG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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