Episodes

Mata Hari fit society’s profile of a female spy so perfectly: beautiful, seductive, and duplicitous. That’s why the Germans, and the British, and the French all thought she must actually be a spy. Even when they couldn’t find any evidence of it. Here is the story of a woman who had many faults, but almost certainly not the one she was executed for. Hosted by Lori Davis. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Origina...

In December 2023, the women of the Salty Science team rowed 3000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean.

North Sentinel Island is one of the most isolated places on the planet, and its people are extremely determined to keep it that way. The 1809 shipwreck of the HMS Primrose and the1867 wreck of the Nineveh found their passengers and crews as unwelcomed guests. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean Sigfried⁠. Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member! Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ww...

Captain Carolyn Kurtz became the first ever female pilot in state of Florida in 1995. Her lifelong passion for ships took her to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and then a job as an officer on a commercial ship, before becoming a maritime pilot out of the Port of Tampa. Capt. Kurtz is still piloting and serves on the National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee to the United States Coast Guard. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://w...

The strange world of 18th century press gangs.

An interview with renowned archaeologist Dr. Eric Cline, author of 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed. Dr. Cline and Rich Napolitano discuss the Bronze Age shipwreck at Uluburun, dating back to 1300 BCE. The vessel was carrying vast amount of riches and valuable items that can be traced to kingdoms all over the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Near East Asia. The cargo found on the ship has changed what we knew about the Late Bronze Age and the trade relationships between the Mycenaeans, Minoans...

John Paul Jones was a Scottish born mariner and captain whose name became synonymous with courage, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination. But to some, he was a murderous traitor. He is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished naval officers in American history. As an early advocate for a strong United States Navy, Jones played a pivotal role during the American Revolutionary War, leading daring naval expeditions and inflicting severe damage upon the British Royal Navy and me...

The Cod Wars were a series of conflicts that took place between Iceland and Great Britain during the 20th century. Centered around disputes over fishing rights and territorial waters, these confrontations showcased the struggle between Iceland's efforts to protect its valuable cod fishing industry and Britain's interests in maintaining access to these fishing grounds. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original ...

In 1854, the SS Arctic of the Collins Line sank off the coast of Newfoundland after colliding with the French fishing vessel, SS Vesta. As it became clear the ship was sinking, many of the crew ignored chivalry, rushing the lifeboats, and pushing women and children aside. About 300 lost their lives, and not a single woman or child survived. The shameful behavior of the crew and devastating loss of life makes the SS Arctic one of the most notorious and tragic shipwrecks in history. Written, edit...

The SS Pacific was a sidewheel paddle steamer, which by 1875 had 25 years of service up and down the west coast of the US and Canada. In November of 1875, she collided with the sailing vessel Orpheus, and was fatally damaged. Only two aboard the Pacific survived, and an estimate of 325 perished. It is the greatest loss of life in the history of the waters nicknamed The Graveyard of the Pacific. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwreck...

The Georges Philippar was a luxurious passenger liner of the French Messageries Maritimes line. She and other ships built by the Ateliers et Chantiers shipbuilding company were plagued by fires over the years, culminating in several tragic accidents. In May of 1932, the Georges Philippar experienced a cabin fire while returning to France from Japan. The crew struggled to control the fire and soon it burned out of control. At least 41 were killed, but possibly as many as 100. Controversy surround...

In the early morning hours of September 8, 1860, the beautiful sidewheel paddle steamer The Lady Elgin was rammed by the schooner Augusta during a violent gale on Lake Michigan. Over 300 passengers and crew lost their lives, including many members of the Irish Union Guard of Milwaukee's Third Ward. Residents of Winnetka, Highwood, and other nearby communities sprung into action, rescuing survivors from the shores or recovering bodies to be identified. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napol...

Author and historian Richard M. Jones joines me to discuss the British cargo ship Lulworth Hill. Just after midnight on 19 March 1943, the Lulworth Hill was torpedoed by the Italian U-Boat Leonardo da Vinci. The ship split in two and sank within just 90 seconds. Only 14 out of 47 made it to a small, cramped liferaft. They were stranded in a tiny lifeboat, with very little fresh water and food. The unbearable heat, dehydration, starvation took their toll on the men, all while sharks continually c...

Captain James Cook was one of the most successful explorers and navigators of the 18th century. His scientific discoveries and charting of the Pacific islands, New Zealand, and Australia proved invaluable. But his legacy is tarnished with the baggage of colonialism, racism, and conflicts that are still felt today. His three Pacific voyages were legendary, and he would pay for them with his life. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrec...

Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen was wanted for murdering his wife, and was tracked down while on board the SS Montrose.

Dr. Howard Gray joins me again for this final installment of Batavia's Graveyard. Jeronimus Cornelisz and his fellow mutineers begin their reign of terror on the other survivors of the Batavia shipwreck. Cornelisz orders the senseless murders of countless survivors. Francisco Pelsaert, Ariaen Jacobsz and over 40 others reach the Dutch settlement of Batavia on the island of Java in the longboat, and Pelsaert is dispatched with a rescue ship to recover survivors and cargo. Meanwhile Cornelisz laun...

In Part 2 of Batavia's Graveyard, the Batavia and its crew depart Table Bay in southern Africa and continue their voyage to the Dutch East Indies. The Schipper, Ariaen Jacobs had just been publicly dressed down in front of the crew for his drunken rowdiness, and both Jacobsz and Jeronimus Cornelisz begin planning a mutiny. As the ship races across the Indian Ocean, they run into an unexpected archipelago of coral islands, the Houtman's Abrolhos, off the coast of Western Australia. The Batavia is...

In 1628, the Dutch East India Company sent its brand new flagship vessel Batavia from The Netherlands on a voyage to the settlement of Batavia (modern day Jakarta) in the Dutch East Indies. The cast of characters on board would produce one of the most bizarre maritime stories in history. After being wrecked on Houtman Abrolhos archipelago off the coast of Western Australia, a horrible tragedy of survival, manipulation, torture, sexual assault, and murder took place at the hands of the monstrous ...

I appeared as a guest on this episode of Archive Unknown, hosted by Lara Zielin. Join us as we discuss the curious disappearance of the USS Cyclops in 1918. Go AD-FREE by becoming a Patreon Officer's Club Member! Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.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://buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠ Join the Into History Networ...

Samuel Bellamy, or "Black Sam" Bellamy, was an extraordinarily successful pirate, albeit for a very short time. Called the "Robin Hood of the Seas," he abhorred violence, treated his victims humanely, and was very generous to his men. When he and his fleet captured the slave ship Whydah Gally, he scored a huge payday, but it all wound up lost for almost 300 years when the Whydah was wrecked in a storm off Cape Cod in 1717. This is the story of the Gentleman Pirate, a ship laden with riches, and ...

The Carlskrona was a 19th century corvette of the Swedish Navy. In 1846, the fast but unstable ship encountered a freak storm which came out of nowhere in the Florida Strait. The crew was not able to adjust the sails fast enough and the ship went down, with only 17 survivors ever making it back to Sweden. Author and historian Jens Kuhn is my guest. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes can be found at ⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠. Original theme music by ⁠Sean...

On October 7, 1916 the German U-Boat U-53 showed up unexpectedly at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. World War 1 was raging, although the United States remained firmly neutral. The U-53 captain, Hans Rose, paid courtesy visits to local US Navy commanders, and in return had them visit his U-Boat. The visit was friendly and accommodating, if not a bit strange. Curious onlookers snapped photos and gathered their boats around the U-53. The next morning, the U-53 commenced sinking Allied ships, and with...

The USCG Cutter Blackthorn sank after colliding with the SS Capricorn, outside of Tampa Bay, Florida.

The Achille Lauro burned and sank on December 2, 1994.