Beyond the Breakers

This week we discuss the story of the MV Holoholo, a pleasure yacht-turned-oceanographic research vessel lost near the Hawaiian Islands in December 1978.  Sources:  Karl, David M., UH and the Sea , University of Hawaii Manoa, 2004. "Marine Casualty Report - MV Holoholo; Disappearance in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 1978 with presumed loss of life." U.S. Coast Guard, 1981. Safety Reco...

This week we discuss the November 1901 sinking of the steamboat San Rafael in San Francisco Bay. Sources: Barbier, Alan. "The Wreck of the Ferry San Rafael ." Marin History Museum, December 1991. https://web.archive.org/web/20130207014515/http://www.marinhistory.org/article_FerryWreck.html "Search for Steamer San Rafael ." National Geographic , 21 May 2015. https://fieldnotes.n...

This week we conclude our discussion of the Edmund Fitzgerald , with special returning guest Kaylee! Topics include - search efforts on the night of November 10, 1975 - modern analysis of the wind and wave conditions on the night of the sinking - literature published about the Fitzgerald since 1977 - controversy and disagreements over investigations of the wreck Sources and further reading: Fleshe...

This is Part 1 of a 2-part episode covering the most famous wreck in the history of the Great Lakes - the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Sources and further reading: Hemming, Robert J. Gales of November . Contemporary Books, 1981. Justice, Jacqueline. “Classical Tragedy and the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald : Why the Legend Lives On.” The Journal of American Culture , vol. 36, no. 2, June 2013, pp. 88 - 9...

**Unlocked bonus episode** In this episode, Katie and Tanner discuss the second fatal collision involving HMAS Melbourne , this one occurring in 1969 with the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans . *This episode was originally released as Patreon bonus content in July 2021 to coincide with Episode 24 (HMAS Voyager )  Support the show

This week Josie (@jsspcr1) from A Hill To Die On (@ahilltodieonpod) / Australian Gothic (@ausgothicpod) joins us to discuss the 2007 grounding of the Pasha Bulker in Newcastle, Australia. When you're done with this episode you have a lot more listening to do: A Hill To Die On podcast Australian Gothic podcast **This is the clean version of the episode; the uncensored and fully Australian vers...

This week we travel to Japan to discuss the misfortunes of the Spanish galleon San Felipe , stranded on the coast of Japan in 1596. The incident would be the catalyst for the persecution of Christians in Japan and a major contributing factor in the nation's isolationist foreign policy that lasted until the 19th century.  Sources: Borao Mateo, Jose Eugenio. “The arrival of the Spanish galleons...

This week we discuss the sinking of the lumber hooker SS Myron at Whitefish Point in November 1919. Sources: Classen, Mikel B. "Wreck of the SS Myron: Trial and Tragedy." Mikel B. Class On The Road . https://mikelbclassen.com/wreck-of-the-s-s-myron-trial-and-tragedy/ Gmiter, Tanda. "This Great Lakes shipwreck left sailors encased in ice until spring." MLive, 24 Nov 2017. https:...

This week we have a special guest host! Paul from the Emergency Traffic podcast joins us to discuss the luxury steamer SS Normandie and the fire that ultimately ended her career. Sources/additional reading Борисов, В . Юркевич Владимир Иванович. http://www.ihst.ru/projects/emigrants/jurkevich.htm “The Chariot of Poseidon.” Google Arts & Culture . https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-cha...

As promised in the first of our three-part series on prison ships in the British Empire, Tanner read's Philip Freneau's poem "The British Prison Ship" in its entirety.  For context, you can also listen to the full episode (unlocked for everyone):  https://beyondthebreakers.buzzsprout.com/1657951/9777608-unlocked-december-bonus-prison-hulks-part-1 The version of the poem being r...

We're excited to announce a new bonus series called Dead Reckoning - in this monthly series, we'll be focusing on some of the more ghastly, gruesome, and otherworldly elements of shipwreck lore. Each episode will begin with a reading, followed by discussion, expansion, and/or analysis.  This is a preview of our very first Dead Reckoning episode. Check out the Patreon to hear the whole th...

This week we visit the nation of Sénégal for the first time to discuss the sinking of Le Joola on September 26th, 2002. Sources: Barton, Karen. "The Joola: The Geographical Dimensions of Africa's Greatest Shipwreck." Focus on Geography . www.focusongeography.org/publications/articles/joola/index.html ^this is the interactive article referred to in the episode Commission d'enque...

This week we return to the California coast to discuss the sinking of the SS Emidio in December 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-17 .  Support the show

This week we discuss the OMI Charger explosion that occurred at Bolivar Roads near Galveston, Texas on October 9th, 1993. *There are some minor issues with the sound quality of Tanner's mic in this episode; reminds us of the old days. Sources: Butterworth Tank Cleaning Machines "Investigation Into the Circumstances Surrounding the Explosion and Fire Aboard the Tankship OMI Charger...&quo...

This week we discuss one of the worst maritime tragedies in the history of the West Coast of North America - the sinking of the paddle steamer Brother Jonathan  in July of 1865. **Bonus content alert** There will be an additional 20ish-minute segment available on Patreon in which we discuss the legal battle surrounding the discovery and salvage of Brother Jonathan, a case which made it all the way...

This week we discuss the 1983 sinking of the SS Marine Electric , a pivotal moment in the history of ship safety and the US Coast Guard's rescue capabilities. Intro/outro music clip: "The Mary Ellen Carter" - Stan Rogers (1979) Sources: "Marine Casualty Report - SS Marine Electric O.N. 245675, Capsize and Sinking in the Atlantic Ocean on 12 February 1983 with Multiple Loss of L...

In this episode, we discuss the sailing yacht Cheeki Rafiki , lost with her four crew members in May 2014 after taking part in Antigua Sailing Week. Many thanks to the crew of the Belafonte for suggesting this topic. You can follow them on Instagram @aboard_belafonte and check them out on YouTube Sources: Harries, John. "'Cheeki Rafiki' Report Misses An Opportunity To Make Boats Saf...

This week we discuss the 1991 incident involving the cruise ship Oceanos in which the ship's entertainers stepped in to play a critical role in the safe evacuation of all aboard, while the captain and crew fell short of expectations. Opening music is ‘Oceanos’ by the band Coast , off their self-titled first album Click here to visit the website about the sinking run by Moss Hills. This is a g...

**This is Part 2 of a 2-part series** In this episode we discuss one of the more well-known maritime disasters of the 20th century - the sinking of the cruiseferry Estonia in September 1994. Part 2 covers some more specific details of the sinking and survivor accounts from some of those who managed to escape. *This is the first episode recorded on our upgraded microphones. Thanks so much to our su...

In this episode we discuss one of the more well-known maritime disasters of the 20th century - the sinking of the cruiseferry Estonia in September 1994. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. *This is the first episode recorded on our upgraded microphones. Thanks so much to our supporters on Patreon for making that possible! Wisconsin Books To Prisoners Next For Autism Sources: Joint Accident Investig...

This week Kaylee (@kayleefabulous) tells the story of the SS Benjamin Noble , a freighter that sank on its approach to Duluth during a storm in April 1914.  Kaylee's album Stirring Skies Further reading: "Benjamin Noble Nomination" - Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Capitol Transportation vs. Cambria Steel Co. - U.S. Supreme Court (1919) Hemphill, Stephanie. "Mystery...

In Part 1 of a three part bonus series, we discuss the use of prison hulks with an emphasis on their role in the American Revolution. Check us out on Patreon for parts 2 and 3 of the series! Sources: Bowden, Mary W. "In Search of Freneau's Prison Ships." Early American Literature, vol. 14, no. 2, Fall 1979, pp. 174 - 192. Cray, Robert E. "The Horror of These Hulks." Naval...

This week we are discussing the tragedy of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kursk (K-141), which was lost with all hands in August 2000. Donation link for the National Bank of Ukraine (Patreon money will be donated from our February proceeds.) Correction: Multiple times we refer to two of the rescue vehicles as “AN-32” and “AN-34” this should be “AS-32” and “AS-34”.  Sources: Chuen, Cristina,...

This week we discuss the SS Selah Chamberlain , a wooden-hulled bulk freighter that sank after a collision off of Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1886. Sources: "Chamberlain, Selah (1873, Bulk Freighter)."  Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thomsen, Tamara L., Caitlin N. Zant and Victoria L. Kiefer. "Storms and Strandings, Collisions and Cold: Shipwreck Surveys of the 2018 Fi...

This week we discuss the 1953 sinking of the  SS Henry Steinbrenner . Sources: Kadar, Wayne. "The Henry Steinbrenner. "  The Lakeshore Guardian   United States Coast Guard report on the sinking of the Henry Steinbrenner Support the show