Hey crew! This is a re-upload. Yesterday's video had some weird audio issues that I had to fix. Hope you all enjoy this compilation of some of my favorite videos!
RU-vid: Sure you were looking up toilet valve replacement videos, but do you want to watch 2 hours of meticulously researched boat content instead? Me: ...Yes.
Feels like 50% of these shipwreck videos either go “two ships turned into each other and crashed” or “ship mysteriously sank with no explanation” and no in between lol so yeah no joke
There's something so incredibly heartbreaking about the last message from the Princess Sophia being "Keep talking to me so we know that you are coming."
Yes. Strangely it felt very....modern, very right now. The same way you might tell a loved one, "stay on the phone with me, please" if you were someplace unfamiliar or dangerous.
@scottyfox6376 When you know there's no hope, you cling to even the faintest glimmers you can imagine. When it's the end of everything, you hold on to anything at all. Robinson probably wanted to die thinking, believing, that any second he was gonna be miraculously rescued so all she had to do was hang on. Keep fighting. Keep on the line. And tell himself everything was going to be okay. A lie. Yes. But false hope is better than none.
That really hurt to listen to that part, not to mention that the captain chose not to attempt what he felt was a perilous attempt to evacuate the ship when it was a lot less stormy and dangerous due to the earlier shipwreck where the lifeboats were launched without proper personnel to captain them causing nearly everyone on board to drown clearly weighing heavily on his mind. All in all, a very tragic situation.
Outstanding video! Retired from Coast Guard after 30 years of service. Served several tours in the PACNW and Alaska. Homeported out of Astoria, Oregon and sailed across the Columbia River Bar in various conditions of sea state. Worst day was aboard CGC IRIS when we were overtaken by a white squall pelting us with 70+ knot winds and 50-yard visibility just after exiting the river. We got slammed by 50+ foot seas and wind howling through the halyards like banshees. After suffering significant damage we managed to cross the bar again and crawl back into the Columbia and into homeport. IRIS was a stout ship and she carried us safely back home but our fate was definitely in doubt. It was a memorable day for sure!
Thank you for your service. The Coast Guard doesn't get much recognition, but you all are SERIOUSLY vitally important, respected and make coastal life so much safer. I do all of my boating out of juneau AK, elfin cove mostly, in the Icey Straight / Cross sound. Your information on VHF channel 16 is absolutely critical in an area where no other forms of communication exists. From rescue swimmers, radio technicians to navigational aid repairers ALL deserve recognition and respect. Without that service many, many more lives would be lost. Again, thank you!
Also, the Columbia bar is NO JOKE! 50ft waves might as well be off shore tsunamis, yet the CG braves them,, risking their own lives, to save countless people who would SURELY perish without you all.
I used to work on the Copenhagen-Oslo ro-pax ferries and I remember one of the captains telling me that he would only ever consider lowering lifeboats if the ship was on uncontrollable fire. His reasoning was simply that launching lifeboats, even in calm weather, is ridiculously risky because of how easily a group of people panic and take stupid and dangerous decisions. He said that as long as he had engine power, he would ground the ferry (he knew this route inside out) or steam at full power towards land as long as he could. I understand this reasoning perfectly, especially because on these ferries, the ratio of crew to passenger is very different to a cruise ship. I think we were about 150 in the crew on a ferry that could take around 2100 passengers, whereas on a cruise ship you usually have 2-3 passengers p. crewmember. Thanks for the great videos!
Smart! It just blows my mind when I hear about ships launching life boats in 50mph winds, 30ft seas, & in white out conditions! In my mind you're just dead either way! Whether it's a sinking 500ft ship or a life boat launching in those conditions- you haven't got a prayer!!!
@NicklePickle426 Context matters. If the ship is definitely sinking all the way, it is at least worth a shot to get on lifeboats and launch them. I think it mainly comes down to the competence and loyalty of the crew.
I live on a boat and the fact that a storm is raging outside as I watch brings the stories vividly to life. I won't let being on the Grand Union Canal, where I can step onto the towpath if I sink, shatter the illusion. I love the stories of heroism and calm, especially among passengers and the young. These are amazing stories and you tell them brilliantly. Especially in a storm.
Portland here. Our coastline is beautiful...and treacherous. I love the Pacific Ocean, from the land. Our rainforests are the same, beautiful, but do not underestimate the dangers. This is so well done. Everything. The writing, editing, photos and reenactments woven with actual footage...and your voice is perfect. You give dignity to those who did and did not survive, while telling the story honestly. 🌹
Hard agree. I actually fear flying and so I have taken Amtrak several times to avoid not only the planes (but the ridiculous airfare and luggage fees too, unbelievable especially pre Covid!), and on Amtrak I have always ridden comfortably, felt safe with plenty of space for whatever luggage I had near. However I will say that lady lived during a time when trains DID crash more frequently and had plenty of problems themselves. So I don't blame her too much. A modern train is really safe stuff for travel, even with the few accidents that have occurred to me its really the safest way to get anyplace. And nowhere to drown in or fall from, I call that a win.
I've watched a ton of different shipwreck stories. It's truly horrific and depressing that "Every woman and child would not survive" is almost always the recurring theme.
There obviously are no videos of these sinkings as described; so it's very creative to patch together random black and white historic video clips which fit the narrative. Well done!
I really appreciate all of your hard work making these episodes. We talk about you in The Green Room before the podcast a lot. As someone who lives around the Great Lakes I find these stories fascinating!
You have to wonder...those two ships captains that could access the Valencia turned back. The weather or were they cowards? Perhaps a little of both. And to watch the ship from a cliff break up and not try to help...unreal. Rip to those terrified folks. Thanks for another great video.
Those other ships had themselves to worry about as back then a ships Capt could get the death penalty for placing his own ship in danger. The reefs were not mapped well and waves unpredictable and a wave pushing them into one meant that a captain ship *which their own family would lose their inheritance to the company for had he died in all likelihood) and all their crew leaving behind families unable to support themselves as there were no social safety nets then So easy to call those of the past cowards as you sit your butt safe at home Just pathetic And what were people on a cliff supposed to do? They can't get to it, Maybe read a book before slandering those who can't defend themselves and were more a human than you will ever be
@@johnmehaffey9953and the ONLY information they had was the Capt telling them to wait...wasn't a coast guard notifying themnof what's going on like now...and they did try...they were there. Ships were not as maneuverable them, very underpowered and with larger crews, less trained, and with NONE of the equipment like powerboats of waterproof insulation we take for.granted today .and if the ship in distress Capt tells them to wait WTF are they suppossed to do huh? Can't rescue passengers jf the ships crew aboard isn't assisting. Your also taking one youtube video by someone you don't know that wasn't there as an expert as you don't even know if that's what really happned...the stories past through dozens of people before getting to you.. Maybe learn something about all this before slandering the dead
@@norml.hugh-mannnah, the dead don’t matter. They saw people, they literally lied and said they saw nobody and ran away, they’re cowards who should be given no respect
@@norml.hugh-mann I don't believe anyone is slandering the dead. It's a difficult situation to accept, and to me seemed quite appalling that the "rescue ships" left everyone clinging to the ship to drown. No matter what points can be made about the times, it's still difficult to digest such indifferent behavior.
Love your videos! Living in Oregon this just reminds me I gotta take a shipwreck tour. The Peter iredale is more exposed than I’ve ever seen in recent pics
There is a tremendously philosophical meaning to your Big Old Boat videos. Marvelously scripted narrations, excellent historical research, poetic, beautiful visual editing, exquisite photography and film !!! LOVE your work!!!!!
I recently read a ghost story you might like. Its the story of a fishing boat that runs into a storm that doesn't show up on the radar. The boat suffers heavy damage their radio mast is torn off and the boat is taking on water fast. As all hope seems lost they spot a ship on the radar and desperately sail towards it. They find an old ocean liner with a black hull,white superstructure and two black and red funnels dead in the water and apparently abandoned. The caption suggests it might have slipped it's moorings in the storm and they board. Anyway the story ends wirh it heavily implied the ship they boarded is the Queen Elizabeth 1.
@@sasha1mama lol. The start of it feels similar. Except the fact the storm can't be picked up on radar. Actually feels closer to Ghost ship than virus.
Will you do a video on the USS Cyclops or bermuda triangle related stories? I know its kinda cliche but i think you could add a lot to the stories or tell lesser known ones. Love the vids as usual.
Great content as always! I love your storytelling, and the eerie backdrop is perfect. Your knowledge of the Great Lakes cargo ship disasters is riveting, particularly the November storm of 1913. Thank you for posting!
that opening horn on this video - i totally didnt realize it was coming from the video and thought it was irl... woke up to this video playing - was like man its awfuly late in teh year for a ship to be coming through
Great account by you - I really enjoyed it. There are just some places on Earth that people should not go to and one of them is to sea with a badly trained crew & primitive boat! Those film clips of victims back in the day were amazing.
At the Maritime Museum in Astoria OR, you can see a large wreck location map that shows so many shipwrecks along Northern CA, Oregon, going up to southern BC area. The biggest thing you will see on this wreck location map is the amount of wrecks at the Columbia River Delta. Now there are pilots to bring ships in and out of the Columbia River because of how difficult the area is to navigate; the tides, underwater barriers, and the way the ocean currents with the delta all mix makes it treacherous. It's a very interesting museum to visit if you have an interest in shipping and/or fisheries.
The fact that you are able to pack an incredible amount of information into the video, in a pleasant tone is amazing. I notice you even include photographs & illustrations taken out of newspapers long ago showing some of the people you talk about. But even your background music used is extraordinary. I can't help but notice it. It is melancholy, quiet, and calm, using both what sounds like string intruments and modern, generated sounds (done effectively, never too loud or fast when inappropriate during the story), periods of what sound like silence, high and low wind, birds calling, creaking wood and even slamming sounds to punctuate the mood and actual disasters as you detail them minute by minute. Incredible work, done so beautifully. I'm just so impressed by the quality you evoke with the combination. Subbed and fascinated.
born and raised in the PNW. the pacific ocean is no joke and combined with the weather it claims lives every single year. i think the best advice about the ocean is ALWAYS respect it and never turn your back on it.
I was bummed to discover that I've watched ALL the videos by my favorite Great Lakes Shipwrecks Presenter: "Association Of Lifelong Learners" Jeff Thomas.But then I took a chance to watch THESE videos...hurray! GLAD I DID!!
Cape Mendocino's tip is treacherous to this day. Perhaps a feature on it with adjacent Blunts Reef with the SS Northerner, SS Bear, Tricolor, and by a stretch SS Milwaukee?
Hey, do you talk about the Graveyard if the Atlantic? There are a lot of stories where during a funeral, if there was a ship wreck spotted people would drop the coffin and run to it.
Yes, like the SS Atlantic (1 April 1873) when it went off course and ran aground on Marrs Island (near Lower Prospect) in Nova Scotia. Amazing efforts - in the middle of the night no less AND a storm - of locals coming to the rescue in their rowboats - even walking their boats across the island to gain quicker access to the wreck. Truly heroic efforts.
Thank you for a fascinating 2hour story about five ships that were wrecked-four of them on rocks! It shows us, nature will always rule over human adventures(misadventures). The old visuals were a bonus. The narrator sounded clear but a bit soft. I had to use my earplugs. Nevertheless a marvellous but tragic story.
I know the portion about Princess Sophia was made longer ago than this compilation, but I'd like to point out that the passengers & crew did NOT die of hypothermia as stated, but of asphyxia. Because engine oil had been leaking into the water for a day, creating a layer of oil. Passengers suffocated, not froze.
INDIFFERENCE is a light word to describe the COWARDLY actions of the would be rescuers❤❤ I really liked the last thing you said about the sanf4ancisco sinking. They were people just like us with hopes and dreams. It's so sad when it really didn't have to happen. 120 yrs ago it seemed like these big companies got away with too much. I don't like getting political however we need to make sure unregulated capitalism like that doesn't return. Because it was a mean uncaring world
Unfortunately, many rescuers early on died trying to help. Much has changed since then and now the Coast Guard and aerial rescue crews do quite a bit, yet they risk their lives everyday that they go out. We have crazy oceanic currents and weather along the area can change fast. Spring and autumn can be very bad time of year for anyone on the beach. Yet it's beautiful along our coasts.
Lots of acceptable (so it seems) incompetence too...for instance, a captain with only 4 years of experience in the Pacific who knows nothing of the currents off the California coast and no maps aboard to refer to? That seems hugely irresponsible to me since this knowledge very well could have kept the ship from running aground.
I probably watched these when you uploaded then individually, but they're always interesting to watch again. What do you use for the visuals? Is it stock footage? You have a very soothing voice. 👍
he's using stock footage from old black and white movies about shipwrecks (anywhere from the 1940s to the late 50's, I would say), some of which are film recreations of some of the most famous shipwreck disasters. Older films like this probably have no or way less copyright red tape. He is also using some stock footage of specific locations that he is talking about, taken at the actual time period and uploaded, and illustrations found in old newspapers of certain people he talks about on each ship. If he can find a photograph of someone (ex. the captain), he shows their actual photograph. Also appears to be some older nature and ocean footage, probably taken at least 50 years ago.
Can't believe those other ships, didn't get in trouble for not even attempting to do rescue operations. I think someone paid people off for that. To shift blame for that.
They have their own crew and passengers to think about aswell. Wrecking there ship only puts more people in the water. Tho to lie and say they saw no survivors is definitely wrong and suspicious.
@BigOldBoats Howdy! I just found your channel last night and I just want to tell you three things: 1. Love your pfp. I have a tattoo that resembles the wave pattern. 2. You have a very soothing voice and nice articulation. 3. I subscribed and now I'm off to binge watch the rest of your content. Keep up the amazing work! Thank you for sharing it with us!
I have sailed through that stretch four times and it is either rough or really rough. First five days at sea from Victoria to San Diego and we sailed through a storm. I was so sick I lost three days of my life...and as it turns out cured me of sea sickness.
Hello! New subscriber here, would love to see a long video like this but about non-combat shipwrecks either during war times or by military ships in general. I look forward to listening to more!
Wow! I took basic seamanship in high school and only heard about the Exxon Valdese no mention of the princess Sophia, which sun like 100 miles from me!
Could help but notice during the Clallam story you refer to the Princess Sofia (Soph ee a) and such, then where her story comes, it is the princess Sofia (Soph eye a)
As soon as I heard 'ran aground at the Columbia River Bar' I laughed-I grew up in the area and I've barely escaped with my life a few times at and near that spot. It's no joke.
no christening at all really. An unchristened ship is unlucky. And for God's sake they always change the bloody names. You're not supposed to change the name of the ship once it's named whatever.
