Witness Titanic

"Witness Titanic" | "Titanic Talk" | "Titanic: Legacy" - three podcasts in one podcast ? What is happening?! Tune in for a very unique LIVE livestream from the RMS Queen Mary on Titanic Anniversary Weekend 2025... featuring: Alexandra Boyd & Nelson Aspen ("Titanic Talk" podcast), Paul Carganilla ("Titanic: Legacy" podcast), & James Penca ("Witness Titanic" podcast). We hope your will join...

SEASON TWO, RIGHT AHEAD! Click here for Episode Visuals or WATCH this episode on YouTube! ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from modern experts to even the survivors of the sinking. Through their testimony, we navigate the uncertain waters of the Titanic legend, uncover what actually h...

A short word from your inquiry Chairman, James Penca, about upcoming NEW EPISODES of WITNESS TITANIC ! ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from modern experts to even the survivors of the sinking. Through their testimony, we navigate the uncertain waters of the Titanic legend, uncover wh...

For the SEASON FINALE of WITNESS TITANIC, let's dive back in for the exciting conclusion of James Cameron's 1997 film. Syncing this episode with the movie is not required, but if you aren't as familiar with the film, it is highly recommended. ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from mode...

To wrap up season one of WITNESS TITANIC, we dive into the words of James Cameron's "TITANIC" film. Sync up this episode with the legendary 1997 movie to watch along, add our historic commentary, and learn how often survivor testimony shaped the script. Syncing this episode with the movie is not required, but if you aren't as familiar with the film, it is highly recommended. ----------------------...

Titanic existed in a time of class division and WILD interior design choices. This week, we speak to a Titanic enthusiast who happens to work with centuries-old buildings in the UK and has some fascinating insight on why the classes look and feel the way they do. Click here for Episode Visuals ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where w...

The exciting conclusion of Mr. Beesley's testimony takes us aboard the rescue ship Carpathia, includes the emotional arrival in New York, and Lawrence's thoughts on who is to blame for the loss of Titanic.  Lawrence's entire book can be found for free here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6675/6675-h/6675-h.htm ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the po...

Have you ever wondered how much work goes into the writing of your favorite history books? This week, we are joined by celebrated maritime author Mark Chirnside for a look at the many road blocks and pitfalls that come with Titanic research.  ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from...

The week, we rejoin 2nd Class passenger Lawrence Beesley on the night of the disaster and hear - in his own words - of his escape from Titanic, and the sights and sounds that will stay with him forever.  ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from modern experts to even the survivors o...

This week, enjoy the testimony of renown Titanic author Steve Hall. Steve and James talk through Steve's extensive career, time travel, and the infamous Titanic "Switch Theory." For more on Steve and his work, visit his website https://stevehall.nl/ ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, fr...

This week's witness is one of Titanic's most famous survivors, and as a Second Class passenger, he is also one of the most unique. In PART ONE, Lawrence Beesley's curious mind and tragic words take us aboard Titanic BEFORE the iceberg.  ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s great story, from moder...

Last week, we heard of Ella White's escape from Titanic including her frustrations with a pair of "Stewards" who didn't know how to row a lifeboat... This week, we hear from one of those Stewards... It was tradition onboard ships like Titanic to skip a certain unlucky number when labeling cabins, deckchairs, etc. Well, this practice clearly didn't make a difference, so please enjoy episode THIRTEE...

It's well known that women had a better chance at surviving the Titanic disaster than men, but have you ever actually heard from one? Allow me to introduce you to Ella.  A Titanic "thank you" to Katie Johantgen for lending her voice to this week's witness! ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the podcast “inquiry” where we call witnesses of Titanic’s gre...

It's been over a month since the 2024 Titanic Expedition returned home with 2.2 million photos, 24 hours of HD footage, and so much more. In this Bonus Episode of WITNESS TITANIC, I come to you from the final day of the expedition to share what life was like on this historic trip. I hope you enjoy the peek behind the scenes! Our inquiry continues next week when we call our first female surviv...

Most onboard Titanic saw their story come to an end in 1912... the story of today's witness, however, was just beginning. After 112 years on the ocean floor, Diana was rediscovered, and though she may be an inanimate bronze statuette, she has so much to tell us. This week, WITNESS TITANIC host James Penca dives into Diana's history, analyzes her new photographs, and recounts what it was like to wi...

RECORDED DURING TITANIC EXPEDITION 2024 For the first time on WITNESS TITANIC, we call to the stand someone who has TRULY witnessed Titanic with their own two eyes. Rory Golden is not only the funniest historian you'll ever meet, he also dove to Titanic in a submersible three times! This week, our witness talks about his expeditions and discoveries while we watch the live ROV feed from the ocean f...

RECORDED DURING TITANIC EXPEDITION 2024 This week's witness is Dr. David Gallo, renown Oceanographer, Co-Leader of the 2024 Titanic Expedition, and accomplished lecturer on the world's oceans, climate change, and deep-sea exploration. This episode was recorded onboard the research vessel of Expedition 2024 just hours before arrival at the Titanic wreck site.  NOTICE: I worked for RMS Titanic,...

In our final episode before Expedition 2024, let's venture into Third Class for the first time! Daniel Buckley defies the odds, tells us about those infamous third-class gates, and provides a little surprise that even I wasn't expecting!  NOTICE: I mention early in the episode that we would talk about Daniel's life after Titanic but we run out of time. So I will say here that, sadly, Daniel o...

This week, we interview Tomasina Ray, Director of Collections (and now President) of RMS Titanic Inc. She witnesses Titanic every day as the caretaker of the 5,500 artifacts recovered by RMST. She is also a member of the 2024 Expedition team - but doesn't know it at the time of recording! WATCH this episode on YouTube ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS TITANIC — the...

712 passengers and crew survived the Titanic disaster, but only a handful did so after ending up in the freezing Atlantic waters. This week, witness the epic escape of one of those few.  Let's continue questioning the highest ranking surviving officer, Charles Lightoller. NOTICE: "Lowering Capacity" is not an official rating, but a limit determined by each officer's own judgement. Col. Archib...

Hello from the middle of the Atlantic! No new episode this week, so I recorded this quick bonus episode from the research vessel of Titanic Expedition 2024 to give you an idea of what it's like at 41.43 N 49.56 W. Things are going well, we are terribly busy, but I'm doing my best to stay present and keep Witness Titanic episodes coming!  Next week we will continue the investigation with the c...

This week's witness is the most questioned of Titanic's 712 survivors. 2nd Officer Charles Lightoller remembers the sea trials, the delivery to Southampton, last-minute preparations and, of course, that fateful Sunday... but how truthful are his memories? Let's discuss! NOTICE: I'm told I have an odd way of saying the 2nd Officer's last name. I attempt to break this habit in later episodes! Passen...

Before he heads off on a trans-Atlantic voyage of his own, we hear from Mike Brady, the documentarian and illustrator behind the YouTube channel Oceanliner Designs. Join us as we talk through his list of ships that set the table for our great Titanic story. WATCH this episode on YouTube Visit Mike's channel here! @OceanlinerDesigns ---------------------------------------------- Welcome to WITNESS...

Today we rejoin Bruce Ismay aboard Titanic for the collision, sinking and rescue. No Hollywood magic here. This is the Titanic disaster in a survivor's own words.  NOTICE: I mention there is "no evidence" to say Ismay pushed Captain Smith to go faster. You may believe the experiences of passenger Elizabeth Lines would count as evidence. If so, I encourage you to listen to episode 26 where we...

Our inquiry's first witness is none other than Managing Director of the White Star Line and surviving first-class passenger, Mr. J. Bruce Ismay. In PART ONE of his testimony, he relays his unique experiences from Titanic's conception to the night of the sinking. Stay tuned for PART TWO when Ismay recounts the collision, sinking and rescue.  NOTICE: The testimony of passenger Elizabeth Lines i...