Ships That Still Exist Somehow (But Probably Shouldn’t) 

Hey! It’s our friend, Mike Brady, from Oceanliner Designs!

The Swedish ship Vasa would probably fall well into the category of ships that somehow still exist too. Sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage it was refloated in 1961 and is kept preserved in a museum in Stockholm to this day.

Something I like about Mike is that he never really mentions “Disaster Ships” like Titanic or Lusitania unless it’s a topic that specifically relates to them. Instead he’ll use Olympic or Mauretania. It’s about the ships -not the disasters- that are of interest. Great choice!

The James Craig story reminds me a lot of the recovery of SS Great Britain in Bristol - scuttled in the Falklands until the 70s-80s when it was refloated and brought back to Bristol to become a museum ship!

I’m amazed that the Stockholm still exists. I would have thought it was scrapped decades ago. Unlike most other human mechanical inventions like cars, trucks, train and aeroplanes that have been preserved sometimes by volunteer groups on weekends, large ships are a whole other level of endevour, especially when the goal is to have them floating or even operating. Hats off to anyone initiating or participating in such a project.

Drachinifel's recent visit to HMAS Castlemaine was quite well done, even going into a couple places regular visitors can't. Worth a watch

Fun Fact: RMS Queen Mary was used to star as SS Poseidon in the 1972 classic disaster film: *"The Poseidon* *Adventure"* and played RMS Titanic in the 1979 TV film: *"S.O.S. TITANIC"* (with her modern radar technology and the differently-shaped engine room telegraphs still viewable).

It’s so nice to turn on these videos and see Mr. Brady so nicely dressed. When many content creators don’t seem to care about their appearance and will show up wearing old t-shirts and hoodies and ripped jeans, it’s refreshing to see how Mike always looks like he’s ready to welcome us onto an ocean liner for a world class cruise.

As a born-and-raised Bostonian, one of the local prides is The USS Constitution, one of the more famous "How the hell does this thing still exist" marvels, still in *technical* active duty since the American Revolution, despite most of its innards being replaced and renovated over the centuries. Going onboard is such mind-boggling historical experience, but I absolutely love hearing about the legendary ships from around the world, and especially around Australia. Your work and research really is incredible. Salute from Boston!

I live in Yokohama, Japan and every Sunday, after church (oldest church in Japan), we would go uphill to visit this large terrace that overlooked Yokohama Bay, and we would always have an unobstructed view of the Hikawa Maru. It is incredibly difficult not to admire its beauty, and its absolutely bonkers that shes still around today. Another awesome video!!! Thank you Micheal..!!

Anyone else get excited when a new video comes up?

The RMS Queen Mary still has a LONG life ahead. The city did a inspection of the hull: A summary of the hull and tank study findings was provided in June of 2023. The study found that the hull and tanks were in better condition than expected and provided some recommendations for regular inspection and additional follow-up repairs. The inspection plan for the study included both an underwater inspection and an internal inspection that required removal of ballast in several tanks to facilitate inspection. The consultant concluded that the vessel was overall in good condition for its age, and that the ballast tank coatings had been mainly preserved and had mitigated heavy corrosion. The inspection report noted that survey measurements provided confidence that the estimated global strength calculations are adequate, and the hull does not present any global strength issues.

I'm surprised you didn't mention what is now known as the MV _Liemba_ and serving as a ferry along the coast of Lake Tanganyika. This ship is was originally the Imperial German gunboat _Graf von Goetzen_, built in 1913. She was the most powerful ship on the lake and was involved with (and survived) the skirmishes with Brit armed launches transported through the jungle (an epic story in itself and inspiration for the movie "The African Queen".) In 1916, the Germans scuttled her at Kogima when they retreated, but did so with the intent of salvaging her later. And sure enough, the Belgians raised her in 1918, moved her back to port, and there she sat on the bottom again. In 1924, the Brits raised the ship again, refurbished her, and put her back into service in 1927 as the ferry she is today. And so today, the ship is still in use and providing useful service despite being 111 years old :)

I took the Queen Mary tour of the engine room back in March, and it was cool seeing all the giant machinery again after having learned a lot more about ocean liners. They also said that the group running the Queen Mary made a profit for the first time ever, so maybe the ship will be around longer than expected.

I love the stories of old ships being rescues and restored. The HMS Warrior, the pride of the Royal Navy, ended up with her hull used as a fueling platform in Pembroke, where my dad used to throw stones at her having no idea what ship she was. She's now a stunning ship in Portsmouth once again.

YES my relative was a engineer in Hikawa maru. he joined the company on the ship and his retirement voyage was during Hikawa Maru's final voyage. he actually passed away 2 days ago, but the ship he made run is still afloat. the best time to visit is during the weekend at around 11:40 AM because you can visit almost the entire ship and hear the horn too there's another ship afloat, a former navy ship called Souya or Soya, an arctic expedition ship in Tokyo. the only Japanese navy ship to be afloat

I actually got to step aboard the Cutty Sark this past weekend in Greewhich!! I was beside myself the entire time and took like a hundred pictures lol. Such a painfully beautiful ship so well preserved. They were even doing small preservation products on the deck!!

I hope the Astoria is saved for future preservation!

The vibes in these videos are just wonderful. They’re so enjoyable to watch. Mike Brady from ocean liner designs is a great friend.

Another ship that was rescued after having begun being scrapped is the tugboat Eppleton Hall. I think you'd enjoy looking into that story. And the idea of taking a Tyne-built paddle-wheel tug ACROSS THE ATLANTIC under her own power leaves me in awe of the crew that did that.

Speaking of ships that still exist but shouldn't. I currently help look after SS Explorer in Leith, Scotland. In 1955 she was built as a purpose build research vessel, she had labs aboard and cutting edge technology, she was also fitted with the last triple expansion steam engine to come out of her yard, Alexander Hall of Aberdeen. (Yard number 747) She got sent to the scrappers twice, once around 1984 and then again around 1994. She was rescued both times, and then involved in a colision while at anchor some time in the late nineties. She's currently in Leith Harbour and looked after by volunteers. A whole host of information, including a tour, can be found by searches for her name either here or Google. Shes no longer sea worthy, but she definitely still exists

My favorite ship will always be the RMS Queen Mary. We have been on the tour many times, we only live "about" 20 minutes away. Thanks to Mike for his time, work and posting. Also top notch narration and information.

As a person who has been a happy "hotel" guest on the Queen Mary five times, most recently this January, I can tell you that the ship has NO structural problems and is doing FINE. She is no more doomed to be scrapped than is the British Museum or the Louvre.

*_Polly Woodside,_* is an amazing survivor (launched 1885). As a kid we went aboard during a school excursion but it took me 40 more years to learn how close she was to being scuttled in Bass Straight. Recent articles dated March 2024, by its loyally remaining volunteers with the average age of eighty or more are pleading she's now in dire need of our help ❤

From what i heard the city of long beach is planning on building a dry dock for the Queen Mary to do underwater maintenance, the dry dock will be used to service other ships to bring more money to the Queen Mary as well.

This is steadily becoming my favorite RU-vid channel. Thanks, Mike.

On ship that I’m slightly shocked isn’t on here is HNLMS Abraham Crinjessen. One of the only Dutch surface ships stationed in the Dutch East Indies to escape the Japanese in the early months of the Pacific theater. She did this by *checks notes* disguising herself as an island and only moving at night. Shes now a museum ship in The Netherlands

I was surprised the nomadic wasn't mentioned. It had a crazy life

I watched "speed machines" some time ago and i stumbled upon the episode where they talked about the spectacular rivalry between Queen Mary and Normandie...and in the end of the documentary the narrator speaking about queen mary goes like "today she is permanently moored in Long beach california serving as a floating hotel ...the sole survivor of the great pre-war transatlantic liners" that quote hits hard especially with the theme accompaning it

Another ship that would fit in here perfectly would be the Egyptian state yacht El Mahrousa. She was laid down in 1863(!) as an almost copy of Britain's then Royal yacht HMY Victoria and Albert for the king of Egypt, so as a coal powered paddle wheeler. She was later converted first to steam turbines and then to diesel power, also gaining a more modern look each time. She carried the last king into exile in 1953, after which she became a naval training ship and periodic presidential yacht. She has therefore served the state of Egypt for over 150 years by now!

Granted not an ocean going vessel, but the Great Lakes freighter SS Alpena is still in service today after launching in 1942

Mike as always, very informative videos. Here in Philadelphia, USA we have several ships that still exist somehow. Of course the SS United States is still here and quietly awaiting her fate. But also docked here is the Moshulu, built in 1904 and reportedly the largest square rigged sailing vessel still afloat. In her long career she spent some time delivering coal to Newcastle, Australia. She has been docked at Penn's Landing since 1975 (on and off) and has been restored as a floating restaurant and banquet facility. Also nearby is the USS Olympia of Admiral Dewey and Battle of Manila fame. Much to see!

I'd give an honorable mention to SS United States. She's just been sitting and rotting away for decades, passing from owner to owner, I believe.

The Queen Mary, the Astoria, and the Cutty Sark are three of my favorite ships. QM and the Cutty Sark have at the very least another hundred years in them, but hopefully the Astoria gets to see its 100th birthday too. While not on this list or mine the USS Constitution is a fine example of a survivor as the oldest ship afloat.

Bro kept shooting after the ship sank. What a fuckin legend. Forget Leonidas this guy deserves medals from every allied nation. I can’t imagine sinking with a ship and continuing to fire with hopes that the rounds would break the surface of the water and hit enemy aircraft that takes a level of fortitude that no other man in history has ever had.

I'm so glad you mentioned HMS Victory, it along with HMS Warrior are two of my favourite ships. They have amazing histories and are great stories of how important it is to preserve the history of a nation. And of course Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and I doubt that will ever change!

I actually got to visit the Queen Mary in December of last year! She's such a captivating ship, and is the best time capsule into the age of the Oceanliner (and Lusitania's/Titanic's legacy) still afloat. Our friend Mike didn't mention it here, but her conservation is funded by the tours and hotel service (and the occasional special events), so if you happen to be around the SoCal area near Long Beach, give her a visit, and contribute to keep an iconic ship with us for future generations to marvel as well.

I was on a tour of the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") in the late 1960s. We walked the decks and went below. It was like traveling back in history. I also remember how cramped it looked.

That intro with the puppy and the TV was fantastic!! 👏🐕🎬 Thank you so much to our friend Mike Brady and the team from Oceanliner Designs for the wonderful videos. So grateful to you all ❤️✨

I remember seeing the Queen Mary leaving New York and sailing down the Hudson and out into the harbor, I think in 1965. I was a little kid, but my dad said it would probably be her last trip. Even though a lot of wear and tear was visible (I partlcularly remember the rust at the water line) she was still a mighty impressive ship!

Story of the Star of India would have been a great addition! She nearly sank on her mainden voyage but exists today as the oldest active sailing ship in the world. I am a member of her crew! If you would like any further info lmk! She has a really spectacular story

Hey - its my friend and yours; Mike Brady from Oceanliner Designs! Pull up a chair, and a hot tea or coffee. You are about to be regaled as Mike brings us, once again; tales from topographic oceans!

That last story is the definition of harrowing. The picture of that crowded lifeboat that was never found is haunting.

I would also mention clipper ship City of Adelaide, she is one of two clipper ships left, and is in quite the state.

I live in Long Beach, I love admiring the Queen Mary, she’s such a beautiful ship

Moshulu is another ship that managed to somehow escape the scrappers. She’s an old barque that participated in the last great grain race from Australia to Europe, spent some time as a spar-less barge, and was eventually restored and turned into a floating restaurant in Philadelphia.

If you pursue this topic again, I refer you to HMCS Sackville. She is a Flower Class corvette built for the Royal Canadian Navy in WW2. Afterwards she was converted into a survey ship run by the Ministry of Transportation. When that career was over, instead of being scrapped, and being the only Flower Class escort still afloat, she was converted back to her 1942 corvette configuration. She is moored in Halifax next to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, along with the CSS Acadia, a former Coast Guard ship.

It's amazing that the "City of Adelaide" is still around, I can't wait to one day see her fully restored.

Another one is the SS Daniel Adamson, a steam tug that was launched in 1903. she was going to be sold for scrap back in 2004 but was saved and a preservation society formed. she now sails up the river weaver and the manchester ship canal. 120 years old and still going strong

I wonder if the S.S. Keewatin should be on that list; the year she was built, she was cut in half in Montreal, and towed in two pieces and reassembled in Buffalo (if I recall correctly). I honestly thought that because of the separation and reattachment, it would be a serious candidate for abnormal corrosion or other issues. Yet, I couldn't find a single issue at the joining point. Remarkable work!

Hey Mike! Bang for your buck/euro/pound, you cannot beat the maritime museum in San Diego. My favorite in the row of museum ships is The Star of India. The tour and the stories of former passengers was outstanding. As an old iron sailboat in a world of steam ships, it’s fascinating. There is a ferry called Berkley designed with fore and aft symmetry to avoid turning around to unload people and cargo. It was drafted into military service during WW2. There are racing yachts, an aircraft carrier, a Soviet submarine, the ship built for the movie Master and Commander… go, you’ll get months worth of content

I somehow didn’t expect the ship you were talking about to be the Stockholm. I had no idea it was still kicking.

My Navy frigate, USS Ainsworth FF-1090, nearly sank one night in the Atlantic, early 1980s. I was sleeping in the Radar Equipment Room, next to our ET/EW office/shop. I woke up, feeling something wrong. I stood up, and realized I was standing on the bulkhead with the watertight door leading into the shop at my feet! I lifted the door open and looked down into the shop. A work table bolted to the floor had broken loose and tumbled. Chairs, books, tools, etc were scattered around. Our inclinometer ("barfometer") was pegged at 90°! We were on our side! Things are supposed to fall off at this point - radar antennas, gun turret, ASROC launcher, etc. - to reduce topweight. Slowly the ship righted itself, and I stepped onto the rising deck. Fred Astaire had nothing on me. I had to crawl over the shop wreckage to get to the foreward door to the passageway. My fellow ETs and EWs trickled in, and we set to straightening things up. Later we found nothing had fallen off! We figure we got hit broadside by a huge wave. We were very lucky. My ship was later transferred to Turkey in 1994 as the TCG Ege,, served til 2005 when they decommed her. She is now on display at the Inciralti Sea Museum, moored next to the TCG Pirireis (exUSS Tang submarine). I'm happy she was not scrapped.😊

My university’s main campus is literally next door to the Cutty Sark! I see it almost every weekend ❤. If you do do a video on her, let me know!

I had the pleasure of visiting the MV Doulos, originally the Medina and launched August 1914 when it visited the port of Fremantle in 1988. Dodged the breakers numerous times and exists today as a luxury hotel and maritime museum in Indonesia. In my daily commute I pass the May Queen, built in 1867 tied up at the Hobart waterfront and looking magnificent and open to the public.

A minor, yet fascinating vessel on this subject is MV Cape Henlopen, a humble little ferry with a colourful past. She started life in 1944 as the tank landing ship LST-510 and saw action at Normandy (even surviving a collision in the months after that crushed her bow) Decommissioned in 1946, she spent the better part of a decade mothballed before being sold and converted into a car ferry in the early 1960s. Following extensive modernisation and overhauls over the years, she still plies her trade to this day, her service ribbons from 80 years ago still proudly carried on her superstructure. She is likely the only D-Day vessel still in active service.

Always nice to see two positive videos back to back from our Aussie friend Mike Brady!

Awesome video Mike

Very interesting, and without nonsensical fluff. Thank you. I'm 75, from N end of Idaho State. Spent 6 years in the Navy, but I am a "dry land" sailor

USS Constitution built in 1797 is the oldest commissioned war ship still afloat today. She has a full crew and is docked in Boston. She is now a museum and I would recommend going there if you are ever in Boston. I know this one isn't very dramatic or famous but I think it's still pretty cool.

Lovely video as always - and super interesting too! On the topic of preserved ships, I strongly reccomend looking into the Stockholm's (city) steam ferry fleet which is perfectlt preserved and still runs daily service alongside modern ferries, even on the same route! Crazy! My personal favourites are the SS Norrskär, Storskär, Norrtelje and Waxholm III. :) Stockholm isn't the only Swedish city to achieve this though, Göteborg has their own set of steam ferries still in operation too!

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN MARY!

Just paused the video at the mention of the Lady Elizabeth! I see her every week on our run into the capital of Stanley. We really enjoy your channel and its always a special treat when our remote home in the Falkland Islands appears in a video! Cheers and keep up the fantastic work!

Queen Mary needing to be dismantled someday. I know it's likely true but the thought breaks my heart. I hope I'm not around to see it. Fun video, Mike, thank you much!

Man I loved that intro. Adorable! I hope that’s your pupper!

So excited to see another upload from you! This just made my day and I DEFINITELY needed a pick-me-up, thanks for all you do!😊

Definitely check out the sailing ship Elissa! She's in Galveston, Texas. Elissa was launched in 1877 and she still sails nowadays 😊

We must save the Stockholm.

Hey Mike! There are some museum ships in Philadelphia that have some incredible stories. The USS Olympia was the ship that brought back the unknown soldier from Europe. During its trip back it hit a hurricane and was leaning at angles of 37 degrees. We also have the USS United States which you’ve discussed, but it’s in such bad shape that it looks like it’s gonna fall apart any day now

Thanks Mike, that was brillant! I have personally been on the HMAS Castlemaine, at least seven times, and I'm always amazed that I find something new and exciting learned on each visit! The volunteers that maintain and conduct tours on the Castlemaine are worth their weight in gold. I was also invited to the final meeting of the HMAS Mildura (an older sister to the Castlemaine) association in my hometown of Mildura, I was an invited guest from my cadet unit, Training Ship Mildura, named after HMAS Mildura. It was a wonderful experience and just to hear a handful of the stories.

Thanks our friend Mike Brady. Wonderful stories all

Let's not forget the Star of India in San Diego

Um...no, queen mary never "needs" to be scrapped.

I was able to stay on the Queen Mary. It was wonderful.

In Dundee we have the Discovery and Unicorn that can be visited. Discovery is 123 years old this year and Unicorn is 200 years old, the 6th oldest ship in the World!. Both still afloat and open to visitors. The Unicorn is especially good to visit as gives you an idea of how brutal ship warfare was in the 19th century.

Its a shame they scrapped olyimpic considering its the only one of the olyimpic class liners that survived, it would have been a huge tourist attraction being titanic's twin basically.

The SS United States is also still around. Barely.

@8:22. I half expected you to include the USCGC EAGLE in your list of old sailing ships still in service. Would love to see you cover it. Great episode!

1:51 is the closest thing to a "miniature Titanic" that I've ever seen! Obviously, there's tons of differences, but you can easily make out the features that are reminiscent of Titanic. It's hard to believe I've never come across a photo of that ship before, but I'd surely remember if I had. I love it, regardless.

What about the USA ship, the USS Constitution?...

What an extremely interesting video, Mike. It is refreshing to hear about ships afloat that really should not be. If I may make a suggestion, look into S.S Keewatin. She is a Great Lakes passenger ship that was abandoned on a mud bank. She has been saved and has been undergoing an amazing restoration. The intent is to bring her back into service as a full on passenger ship making the trip up and down the Great Lakes from Thunder Bay, Ontario to the City of Quebec, Province of Quebec.

Mike - next time you’re in the UK, you should treat yourself and take a trip to Bristol to see the grandfather of all ocean liners and another remarkable survivor - SS Great Britain. She and her sister ships - Great Western and Great Eastern are probably worth an entire episode alone as they all came from the mind of the incredible Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

A small, strange twist in Stockholm's saga. As you mention, it rammed the Andrea Doria outside New York. As related in "The Only Way To Cross", crewmen rushing forward to survey the damage heard a small girl's voice asking "Donde es mama?" The 9 (?) year old girl had been asleep on Andrea Doria, and had been scooped out of the ship's interior by Stockholm's bow; her sister had been crushed to death in the collision. The two ships had drifted apart in the fog, and Stockholm's crew had no idea what ship they'd hit; the girl told them.

An Australian coastal ship,, lived in Tasmania most of its life the MV Cartela. Its earlier life was generally coastal around Tassy until most of these areas got better roads and could be serviced by truck. Then became a tour boat on the Derwent, I have been on her a few times since the 60s. When the Tasman bridge went down she joined the ferry boat shuffle and helped a lot to move commuters back and forth across the river. Really a bit big for the job.. 194 ton and 123 feet long with a 25 foot beam. She has been out of service a few years now though now has a Govt grant to tidy her up for more harbour tours. Oh yes, she was built in 1912 with steam power and now has a big Cat diesel.

Very good. When I saw the title, Two ships came to mind. I was very pleased that the first ship you did was the Stockholm. The first ship that came to my mind. The other was the Queen Mary. Keep up the good work.

I actually remember in 1986, SS Admiral Nakhimov also known as SS Berlin, was considered an old fashioned boat from 1930s that still somehow served as a cruise ship. It's therefore not surprising why she sank only in 7 minutes at the same year

This is a fantastic look at ships that have survived through the years, we love to see them preserved! I had no idea about the Hikawa Maru, what an incredible story! My favourite not included on this list is SS Shieldhall, currently Europes largest operational steamship and one of the last of her kind with most of her machinery being original with little modernisation. She was nearly scrapped in the 80's but has survived to this very day!

A video dedicated to the complete history of the Stockholm would be great.

Mike, I believe that HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson's flagship, has never been decommissioned and therefore is technically the oldest ship in the Royal Navy. Though now a museum ship, I think she flies the White Ensign to show her continuous Naval lineage.

Dude, love your videos, my job sucks but I listen to your videos on my way to and from work. In a way you really are my friend, keep em coming.

I still remember visiting the Queen Mary back in 1990. She was an absolute beauty then, I can only imagine how impressive she was when launched. As a major bonus for me, at the time there was a pavilion there with another amazing historic craft, The Spruce Goose. Plus many gorgeous vintage cars around the pavilion too. Hughes didn't make the aircraft anywhere near as beautiful as the Queen Mary, but I was excited to see her at least as much.

Should do a video on the oldest ships still in active service today, or the ships that had been in active service for the longest time ever.

Another really interesting video. And your happy smile never fails to lift my spirits. Thank you for the video!

The SS Badger is 71 years old and is in scheduled line service across Lake Michigan. Coal fired boilers and reciprocating steam engines.

Such a well made video, thank you for this. keep up the good work.

The Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien and John W. Brown are the only two liberty ships out of over 2,500 built still in existence and in their original configuration. These ships weren't meant to last past the end of WWII, but those two beat the odds.

4:30 I would love to see Mike Brady travel to Long Beach from Australia to visit the Queen Mary and collaborate with Alex the Historian, another RU-vidr who focuses on the Queen Mary

Great video and selection of ships, perfect script and narration and incredible story of the Castemaine and the tragic loss of the Armadale.

Mike I actually watch your programmes on my TV in SA. I must say I have become addicted to them. You have a wonderful way of putting them over that I find them interesting. I am a Titanic fan & all your explanations on the Titanic are really great. All good luck with your business. I was very taken up how well you pronounced Swakopmund on Namibian coast. I spent my schooling years in Windhoek in Namibia. bless from SA. 💞

Have you ever heard of Fregatten Jylland? It was a Danish warship that apparently sunk but was later refloated and made to a museum. I’ve been to it a few times and its truly amazing.