Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Rich Napolitano
  • 4.9 (154)
  • History
  • Biweekly

A maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, maritime disasters, and seafaring legends. Hear tragic shipwreck stories as well as heroic tales of triumph. Host Rich Napolitano explores maritime history like you've never heard, including occasional guests such as authors, historians, mariners, divers, and archaeologists. If you love history, you will love Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs.

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  1. 1h ago

    The Daniel J. Morrell: Torn in Two on the Great Lakes

    On November 29, 1966, the Great Lakes freighter Daniel J. Morrell was torn in two during a violent late-season storm on Lake Huron. Within hours the ship had broken apart. Of the 29 men aboard, only Deck Watchman Dennis Hale survived to tell the story. Built in 1906, the Morrell had worked the lakes for six decades, hauling bulk cargo through some of the most unforgiving fresh water on Earth. In this episode, host Rich Napolitano explores the ship’s long career and the events of her final voyage. You will also hear about watchman Dennis Hale, who endured 38 hours adrift in freezing weather before rescue arrived, and the Coast Guard's Marine Investigation conclusions. The loss of the SS Daniel J. Morrell is one of the worst Great Lakes shipwrecks of the twentieth century. While the loss of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald is more widely known, the Witch of November has taken many other ships, and perhaps none more dramatically than the Daniel J. Morrell. Whether you are a maritime historian, a wreck diver, a shipwreck hunter, or simply drawn to Great Lakes history, this episode offers a detailed account of the Morrell’s final voyage. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠. ** No AI was used to create this episode. **🎧 Support The Podcast | LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and free merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Listen ad-free on on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Get your Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs merchandise here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Don't want any long-term commitments? You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is a weekly maritime history podcast created and hosted by Rich Napolitano. Episodes are told documentary style, with occasional interviews featuring historians, authors, wreck divers, and other experts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daniel J. Morrell: Torn in Two on the Great Lakes

  2. 3d ago

    This Week in Shipwrecks #12

    This Week in Shipwrecks is the weekly maritime news series of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs covering shipwrecks and maritime history stories from around the world. In this episode: Cardiff researchers crack a 400-year-old lock from the Ann Francis A Swedish shipwreck called Wreck 5 A Swedish may have given up its galley Possible castaway camp found at Isla de los Estados, Argentina US Coast guard detains MSC Poesia in Miami Indian Navy ends a pirate hijacking off Somalia Tugboat fire off Okinawa Fishing boat capsizes in the Bay of Bengal during Cyclone Murasu Search underway after migrant boat sinks off Crete The SS United States heads for her final destination as an artifical reef off Florida Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sources for this episode: Yahoo/Live Science, "Archeologists crack a shipwreck's 400-year-old combination lock," Nov 4, 2026: ⁠https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/archeologists-crack-shipwreck-400-old-200000121.html⁠ Live Science, "Cryptic padlock from a 400-year-old shipwreck finally opened," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/cryptic-padlock-from-a-400-year-old-shipwreck-finally-opened-but-it-leaves-a-mystery⁠ Medievalists.net, "Rare Medieval Warship Wreck Investigated in Sweden," Nov 4, 2026: ⁠https://www.medievalists.net/2026/11/rare-medieval-warship-wreck-investigated-in-sweden/⁠ Phys.org, "Archaeologists uncover possible 19th-century castaway camp," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://phys.org/news/2026-11-archaeologists-uncover-19th-century-castaway.html⁠ Archaeology Magazine, "Did Penguin Hunters Occupy a Campsite Off Patagonia's Coast?": ⁠https://archaeology.org/news/2026/10/22/did-penguin-hunters-occupy-a-campsite-off-patagonias-coast/⁠ CBS News, "Cruise canceled after Coast Guard detains ship in Miami," Nov 3, 2026:⁠ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coast-guard-detains-msc-poesia-cruise-ship-miami/⁠ Onmanorama, "Indian Navy frees fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates," Nov 3, 2026: ⁠https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/11/03/indian-navy-frees-fishing-vessel-hijacked-by-somali-pirates-rescues-20-crew-members-after-48-hr-operation.html⁠ Crane1000, Cebu Hope tug fire off Miyakojima (Japanese), Oct 31, 2026: ⁠https://crane1000.com/fire-breaks-out-on-tugboat-cebu-hope-off-miyakojima-one-of-six-japanese-crew-members-sustains-fatal-injuries/⁠ Ryukyu Shimpo, Cebu Hope fire (Japanese): https://ryukyushimpo.jp/national/entry-5583713.html Whalesbook, "Cyclone Murasu: 4 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Die in Boat Capsize," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://www.whalesbook.com/news/English/other/Cyclone-Murasu-4-Tamil-Nadu-Fishermen-Die-in-Boat-Capsize/6aec48084fc30694db5e6cde⁠ Greek City Times, "Rescue Operation Underway After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Crete," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/11/05/migrant-boat-sinks-chrysi-ierapetra-crete⁠ Cruise Hive, "Final Countdown Begins for SS United States as Reef Sinking Date Is Set," Nov 1, 2026: ⁠https://www.cruisehive.com/final-countdown-begins-for-ss-united-states-as-reef-sinking-date-is-set/222317 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    This Week in Shipwrecks #12

  3. Nov 3

    The Ghost Aboard the James T. Staples (Southern Gothic)

    In January of 1913, the steamboat James T. Staples—one of the most elegant vessels to travel the Tombigbee River—was torn apart by a sudden boiler explosion near Powe’s Landing in Alabama, killing dozens and leaving the once-proud riverboat a smoldering wreck. Built by respected captain Norman Staples, the ship had only recently been taken from his control after a bitter financial collapse, marking the end of a career shaped by ambition, tragedy, and the fading era of Southern river travel. In the days surrounding the disaster, something deeper began to take hold in the communities along the river—stories of strange omens, fleeing rats, and sightings below deck that no one could quite explain. With no clear cause ever confirmed, the explosion gave rise to whispers that the destruction of the James T. Staples may not have been entirely accidental. More than a century later, the story lingers at the intersection of history and folklore, where loss, legacy, and something far less certain continue to drift along the waters of the Tombigbee. For more information about Southern Gothic Podcast, please visit southerngothicmedia.com Original theme music for Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠seansigfried.com⁠. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Ghost Aboard the James T. Staples (Southern Gothic)

  4. Oct 30

    This Week in Shipwrecks #11

    This Week in Shipwrecks is the weekly maritime series of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs. New from this week: Identification of U-672 Cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 collides with other ships Discovery of SS Cornwallis in Maine Sinking of offshore drilling rig Prospector 5 The replica pirate ship Morgan sank in Ecuador A sand dredger goes down in Malaysia Collision of freighters in Bangladesh sinks a coal carrier Documentary "We Finished Their Journey" announced Sources for this episode include: MarineLink Reuters India Times Classic Boat Magazine CBS News Dhaka Tribune Dredge Wire LatinTimes.com Aljazeera Keweenaw Report Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠. ** No AI was used to create this episode. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    This Week in Shipwrecks #11

  5. Oct 29 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate

    Stede Bonnet was a wealthy plantation owner from Barbados who abandoned his family, his fortune, and his comfortable life in 1717 to become a pirate, despite having no sailing experience. This is the true story of the “Gentleman Pirate,” one of the strangest figures of the Golden Age of Piracy. This is an exclusive bonus episode for premium subscribers. Bonnet bought his own ship, the Revenge, and paid his crew wages instead of splitting plunder, a decision that set him apart from nearly every other captain on the Caribbean seas. His inexperience soon led him into the orbit of the infamous Blackbeard (Edward Teach), who took control of the Revenge and kept Bonnet on board as a guest, and a prisoner in all but name. Bonnet's unlikely career as a pirate was initially successful, but led him into trouble with the law and an awkward relationship with Blackbeard. His final capture in the Cape Fear River led to his trial and hanging in Charles Town, South Carolina, in December 1718. The Golden Age of Piracy saw many intriguing characters, but perhaps none as bizarre as Stede Bonnet. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠. ** No AI was used to create this episode. 👉Officer's Club members on Apple Podcasts get 15% OFF all merchandise! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com and use code SHIPWRECKS at checkout. 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate

  6. Oct 27

    A North Sea Tragedy: The Alexander Kielland

    On 27 March, 1980, the semi-submersible Norwegian oil platform Alexander L. Kielland collapsed and capsized during a terrible storm in the North Sea. The platform was being used as a floating hotel, or "flotel" for workers at the Ekofisk oil field. A massive search and rescue operation was launched, including surface vessels and aircraft from Norway, West Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. 123 of the 212 people on the platform perished, making it the worst industrial disaster in Norwegian history. The disaster prompted a number of changes to the safety regulations and emergency response procedures governing oil drilling platforms in the North Sea. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠seansigfried.com⁠. ** No AI was used to create this episode. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    A North Sea Tragedy: The Alexander Kielland

  7. Oct 23

    This Week in Shipwrecks #10

    This edition of This Week in Shipwrecks includes archaeologists changing direction about the Nantucket shipwreck, the search for Amelia Earhart’s plane, continuing trouble in the Strait of Hormuz, and SUNY Maritime’s training ship, Empire State VII, and more.  Sources for this episode: Egan Maritime Institute Purdue University Reuters Antara News gCaptain Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, images, and sources can be found at ⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by Sean Sigfried. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.seansigfried.com⁠ 🎧 Listen to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, a weekly maritime history podcast hosted by Rich Napolitano, wherever you get your podcasts. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    This Week in Shipwrecks #10

  8. Oct 20

    Disaster in the Baltic: The Jan Heweliusz

    On 14 January 1993, the Polish ferry MV Jan Heweliusz capsized in a hurricane-force Baltic storm off Cape Arkona, Germany. Fifty-five people died and only nine crew members survived. It remains Poland’s deadliest peacetime maritime disaster. This episode of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs traces the full story of the ill-fated roll-on/roll-off ferry. Built in Norway in 1977, she was plagued by accidents, stability problems and a questionable repair after a 1986 fire. Days before her final voyage, the stern gate was damaged at Ystad, and the owners ordered only a temporary fix. Hear what happened as Storm Verena struck during the overnight crossing from Świnoujście, Poland, to Ystad, Sweden, and how a rescue in the dark came too late for most of those on board. Then follow the aftermath: conflicting investigations, maritime chamber rulings, and a 2005 judgment from the European Court of Human Rights in Brudnicka and Others v. Poland, which found that Poland’s maritime tribunals lacked independence. ** No AI was used to create this episode. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, images, and sources can be found at shipwrecksandseadogs.com. Original theme music by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at seansigfried.com. **🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES** 👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠ 👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠ 👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available! ⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠ 👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at: ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Disaster in the Baltic: The Jan Heweliusz
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4.9
out of 5
154 Ratings

About

A maritime history podcast about shipwrecks, maritime disasters, and seafaring legends. Hear tragic shipwreck stories as well as heroic tales of triumph. Host Rich Napolitano explores maritime history like you've never heard, including occasional guests such as authors, historians, mariners, divers, and archaeologists. If you love history, you will love Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs.

Information

  • Creator
    Rich Napolitano
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    223
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nautilus Media, LLC
  • Show Website
    Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs
  • Provider
    Nautilus Media LLC

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