The Wreck of the Lumber Freighter "LAUREL" (1929) 

Great channel. Few channels have real research, fewer have accurate history, let alone such a wonderful truly engaging presentation of it. As a certified grammar nazi, I am so impressed. You evidently paid attention in 6th grade, an extremely rare gift in this day and age. Your annunciation and clarity of language is just about unprecedented on RU-vid, and you don't even have the typical irritating British accent. Overall a triumph of artful presentation. Congratulations. I only wish there were more tragedies for you to present. Perhaps you could make some up, like the media does with news. On second thought, perhaps sticking with truth isn't a bad idea. It surely sets you apart.

Cape disappointment is what my dad would call me if I was a cape.

My Grandfather John S Wheeler was on this ship. He was 26 years old and signed oa an “oilman”, which meant he was assigned to the engine room to constantly apply oil to the engine mechanics. I have a video of him telling his story in 1981. I have shared this video with Astoria museum and the digitized it for archival. On another subject, there is a comment posted from a person that compliments this video and asks the author to consider doing one on the SS Central America wreck from 1857. My great great Grand mother, Mary Swan (Cook) was on that ship with her husband Sam Swan and infant child. Husband went down with the ship. Mary and baby were saved. I have been engaged with the historians and authors of books like “Ship of Gold” that chronicled the discovery of the ship in 1988 and recovery of 3 tons of gold. I have copies of Mary’s story from the Sacramento Bee newspaper many years later. She crossed the oregon/California trail in 1854.

This channel is the one that convinced me that the highlands of YT had finally exceeded the best that Discovery/History/National Geographic et al had to offer. It's an exciting media milestone. Which is to say, Part-Time Explorer is appointment viewing!

This channel is my secret little place of peace. Thank you.

I'm a lifelong Oregonian, and I think unless you grow up at the coast, you just don't hear about this kind of history. I so appreciate you bringing light to these stories, and giving me reasons to go back to the Columbia River Maritime Museum! The Columbia Bar is still a notoriously hard place to cross, and the ships rely on pilots and can only go at high tide.

Amazing, I love stories about the dreaded graveyard of the Pacific. Why did they put so much lumber on her for such a long voyage? Did somebody want her to sink for the insurance? Incredible graphics once again. Thanks for the great work Tom.

What an awesome true tale of the “Laurel”, told in such an amazing way with fantastic photographs too. Thank you so much for this amazing history.

The young pilot Billy Gaye had some serious big, uh, guts! Great video as always, and many thanks!

Cape disappointment is basically my Asian parents way of describing me in a Superman costume

One of the greatest RU-vidr’s continues to deliver.

I was so worried that the captain was going to go down with his ship unnecessarily. I’m glad that he accepted the ship’s fate before the ship took him with her. I can fully respect his determination to stay with the ship, especially since he did eventually accept rescue. Love your continued visits to local historical centers!

Your docs are the best. Love these rarely told stories. Thanks for your hard work.

The animation is more than just illustrative of the narrative, it's so good, these videos rival the best WWII documentaries. Congratulations on a real triumph, one of many on the channel.

Dis Billy, brave teenager aviator get recognized with a civilaian medal? what a act of courage at night, in that storm..

Fantastic story! The graphics were excellent. I was reminded of the last chapter of William Least Heat-Moon’s adventure story River Story about taking a boat from the Atlantic to the Pacific on the rivers of the U.S. His description of taking his small boat across the Bar is harrowing, and he did it on a nice day in the daytime. It is worth finding the book at a local library just to read that last Chapter “Salt to Salt, Tide to Tide.” Thank you so much for this maritime history lesson!❤

You really do make some of my absolute favorite content on RU-vid.

For me, there's something tragic about the death of a ship, even if all hands were spared. Superb recreation! Thank you.

My husband and I went to the Columbia maritime museum last October. So fascinating. Love maritime history. Great video.

Thanks for shedding light to more of these shipwrecks!

Awesome! I love it when you do lesser known wrecks like this

Fantastic animations! One of my favorite books as a youth was "Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast" by James Gibbs ( if I remember correctly, it was part of my grandparents' library), and these videos scratch the itch I've had since, to see these many virtually unknown dramas, triumphs, and tragedies not only preserved, but brought to life. Keep up the great work😊

Been bed bound layed up sick for 4days, saw your new video posted and knew at least 20+mins it'll be a good day today :)

Excellent story - very well presented. Although not a well known ship wreck- I am sure it was to the crew members and their families! Thank you for your channel!!

Hey Thomas, Another great story on a ship. Please, in the future, do a video on the SS Central America (gold ship)

Bro I love your work.. I have a entire playlist of all my favorites.. Keep up the great work.. And thank you

Grate video , another lesson on why not to carry to much cargo more than what the ship is designed to handle , the crew were lucky to survive which could have turned even worse if it was not for the courage of the rescuers .

Wonderful job as always. Very professional production. Happy to have someone making the content that we can`t get on TV anymore.

I never expected this video to take place in my home state! We definitely have a history of marining here that isn't talked about much so I'm happy to see something like this, especially because this is one of my favorite channels!!

Excited for the watch, you are truly gifted when it comes to crafting these sorts of videos. 💐

Thanks for another great video Tom! Glad to see some of these wrecks being covered. Apparently the hulk of the Laurel played a role in the wreck of the Admiral Benson the following year. That liner ran aground 400 yards or so away from the Laurel, and her remains were visible at times during the rescue. Supposedly the Benson's officers mistook the half-submerged wreckage as a navigational buoy as they maneuvered to enter the Bar.

I can’t tell you how much I thank you for producing these fascinating videos and with such great narration, writing, and visuals.👌🏻🥂thank you!

I can never get tired of the deadpan delivery of the names in the end credits. And it's always nice to see the Hohenzollern emperors supporting talented artists. :)

I'll always appreciate your ability to tell these tragic stories without stopping to perverse sensationalism. Thanks for doing what you do!

Crossed the bar 4 times in the s/v Sirena 38'. and 1 in a 38' motor cruiser. Sailed the OR and WA ocean for 15 yrs. 4 in Garibaldi and 11 in Newport. 2 yrs. in puget sound. Those fisherman that worked on that ocean were the best teachers as I learned to sail and live the ocean. I loved the weather, practically nothing can threaten a s/v except the land and bad judgement - a constant guard, rest, food, and boatkeeping.

Better than any TV program! Cheers from Halifax!

Thank you from South Wales, I live right by Cpt Henry Morgans old house in Llanrumney. Never miss an episode.

The graphics are truly outstanding. The cockpit shot was a nice touch. It gets better and better. Thank you!

your storytelling and animation has improved a LOT over time. this is beautiful.

Amazing graphics, and you tell the story in a very engaging way. 👏

Good job you’re the best in what we watch on channels doing this type of work. You do a great job on these yards!

I’m impressed with your 3D model of this ship, nice work

Your channel is truly a work of art! Every single video you put out is educational, beautifully done, well researched, and keeps me on the edge of my seat 😊 THANK YOU!!!

This is a credit to you and your team. What a fantastic video presentation. The quality of the animation and the details in this documentary are amazing.

Love the new animations

I can’t believe I just discovered your channel. Your videos are extremely high quality. Netflix should hire you.

I love this channel so much. Very sincere thank you to all involved.

Wow! Another phenomenal video Tom. Loving the intro! The graphics are impeccable, I sometimes had to take a second look to see if it was real, lol! Can't wait for the next upload :)

Homies, wake up. A new part time explorer just went up

Those rescue workers did one amazing job.

another excellent video. Thank you for your efforts to preserve maritime history.

Very authentic. Nice to thank everyone like you did.

Portland Oregon here. The Columbia River bar has claimed so many ships and boats. It's a ship graveyard down there. Bless those who put out to sea. I keep you all in my prayers, and wish you calm seas and good fortune 🌹⚓

My family and I love your shipwreck videos, We live in Ontario but I grew up in hants county Nova Scotia and visited the Maritime museum of the atlantic multiple times.

Great job, Tom. And the video your team created , just amazing.

Awesome CG. Modeling and animation is pro level. If it wasn't so clear, I would have thought it to be old film.

Another fantastic documentary. I love that you cover the unknown wrecks that most people never hear about.

This is some of this channels best work. Perfect mix of real/recreated, and on location shots. Amazing work Amazing stories And well, well done Sir! Awesome.

Your graphics are out of this world!!!!!! Amazing!

Thanks for telling this story. You are much appreciated....My grandmother worked in the Kaiser yards in the War living in Vanport until her and my mom moved to the Kent hotel (we knew it as the Robbins Apartments at that time) south into the Kenton neighborhood about a few weeks before the flood.

I look at the mighty Pacific every single day. It's amazing to see how many lives are passed through it and are buried there. It just it's unfathomable it's which is why it's so scary but still majestic

Thank you for your brilliant presentation. Your research is impeccable as is your articulation of the information.

I always get SO excited when you have a new video! Wonderful as always, thank you for the incredible work you do :)

I was obsessed with this channel and all the boat stories. Happy to see another one added. Keep it up.

Your animation keeps getting better and better! Superb. Thankyou for doing another story on the Columbia River mouth. I went to college in Western Washington U. There I read and viewed an enlightening book on the small towns and lost settlements that attempted there --thinking "There should be a City here." But the Bar and the wild shifting sands and slashing rough waters ---not a spot for a city or port. The book went into some of the wrecks too.

Extraordinary graphics!! Great story telling. Thank you. 😊

Another fascinating lost story that I would've never heard of were it not for guys like you. The second you mentioned the amount of lumber lowered the ship's freeboard to only *_four measly feet_* I immediately knew how this was going to end. Surely they could've split the amount of lumber up with another ship so the poor Laurel wouldn't have to ride so low and work as hard. Maybe then this would've never happened? I was wondering why the wreck seems to be so popular in that region when it really doesn't stand out like a Titanic-type disaster, until you mentioned the bravery of the rescuers, from the Coast Guard in their 36' wooden lifeboats (which instantly reminded me of The Finest Hours, another story you should definitely cover some time) to the 17 year old pilot with the connection line (mad impressive), the stubborn (some would say stupid) but inspiring determination of the captain to stand by his ship to the bitter end, and all the photos that were taken of the wreck. It was a heroic story that was forever immortalized in film, which is always incredible to see for the time period. Fun watch as always, Tom. 👍

I Dare say These Animations Are Better By The Day Tom, Keep Up The Great Research and Work!

Your vlogs are awesome, so well documented. Cheers, Rik Spector

Old ship history is so cool. Thank you for this!

these animations are getting better and better. Really nice work

I have learned so much through this great channel. Thank you!!

Wow, my neck of the woods and I've never heard of this wreck! Thanks for the amazing work as always!

Thanks for sharing this story!

Got to love that CPT for protecting the ship from looters, regardless of what coast guards thought.

Very good ! Your animation was great on this one. One can tell that you strive for accuracy in telling these tales. Thank you !

You tell this so well. Amazing!

Excellent production value per usual

Thank you for taking me places I can't visit quite yet.

As always, thank you for your hard work!

I live in Washington, how ya doing lol. I come from the fishing town of Blaine. My uncle was, so valuable to the Alaska fishing operations, that he would be taken by plane to Alaska to help crews, and sometimes would repair their motors. Both my grand parents, my parents worked at the local fisheries in town. My parents met in one of the fisheries, and before you know it they were married. I hope someday the fishing industry comes back to the town.

It’s always such a treat when you post!

Loved it. As a PNW native I’ve never heard this story. Very well done, i love this channel! Keep it up!

As always, an excellent retelling of the story.

How is this man not on his own broadcast show across America via History Channel, Discovery? This stuff is well put together, well researched and well thought out. NEVERMIND, History or Discovery would find a way to ruin it.

Great video. Enjoyed it so watched it twice! I'm familiar with that Columbia River area from watching coast guard videos. It's wicked water for sure!

I adore these stories! Keep it up!

The graphics are soooo good. Keep up the amazing work my friend 🙏🏻🖤🤘🏻

I love this, freighter wrecking stories are under rated

Brilliant as always Tom.

your videos are outstanding! The visuals you create help tell the story so well!

Another good one. Love these stories.

I love this channel. I think it's the way that previously unheralded, somewhat more every day wrecks and other working class stories are treated with the respect and attention to detail that is usually only reserved for the famous ones. I find them fascinating.

Wonderful work as always! Production quality notably above many of the other channels out there.

These animations are incredible

Loving the intro! Well done and awesome video 🤘🏼🍿🤘🏼

I love these story’s. Great video.

Fantastic as always!!

Great job! Terrific work!

So good, again, thanks Tom.