Deep Blue Diaries

In 1889, a deadly typhoon slammed into the small harbor of Apia, Samoa, turning an already tense standoff between the U.S. Navy and the German Navy into one of the most gripping survival stories in American military history. Trapped in a tiny, treacherous harbor with no escape, seven warships faced total annihilation as the storm raged. What unfolded was a breathtaking display of human resilience, heroic sacrifice, and one of the most insane naval maneuvers ever attempted—including a last-ditch effort to steer a ship using a literal human sail.

Despite the chaos, camaraderie prevailed in ways that will give you goosebumps. Picture this: hundreds of sailors stranded on sinking ships, an unexpected moment of solidarity between enemies, and a doomed vessel cheering another to freedom in what might be the most cinematic moment in naval history.

So why hasn’t Hollywood made this into a movie yet? Let’s talk about it.

Join me as we dive into this almost-forgotten tale of courage, disaster, and the incredible people who lived (and died) through it.

🎧 Listen now! And if you have thoughts, corrections, or just need to scream about how unbelievable this story is, hit me up at [email protected].

🔗 A HUGE thank you to Graham Hague and his website: www.grahamhague.com - he has packed his website with fantastic detail and insight and it's worth a visit to learn more about this event

In this gripping episode of Deep Blue Diaries, we unravel the chilling mystery surrounding the final moments of the Titanic. Did the band truly play "Nearer My God to Thee" as the ship vanished beneath the icy waves? Or does the truth lie hidden beneath conflicting survivor accounts and tantalizing clues? We’ll explore the hymn’s haunting legacy, from the Titanic’s infamous tragedy to its eerie connection with the lesser-known Valencia disaster. Along the way, we’ll spotlight the women heroes who defied the odds in both calamities, weaving together survival stories and historical events that challenge everything you thought you knew. The evidence is surprising, the courage is unforgettable—and the truth may leave you questioning history itself.

Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

Legends call it the Dragon’s Triangle, a stretch of ocean off Japan where ships vanish, planes disappear, and compasses go haywire. But is this so-called ‘Pacific Bermuda Triangle’ truly cursed—or just misunderstood? In this episode of Deep Blue Diaries, I dive into the myths, the science, and the spine-chilling accounts of those who dared to cross its waters. From ghostly ships to magnetic anomalies and bizarre disappearances, we’ll separate fact from fiction and uncover why this mysterious patch of sea has captured imaginations for centuries. 🌊

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Deep Blue Diaries Website

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While I do spout fictional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Resources used for this episode:

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

Stranded in the merciless Pacific ocean, the Robertson family’s tale is a saga of survival against all odds. In this episode, we'll dive into the family's nightmare journey, where desperation led them to make stomach-churning decisions just to stay alive. Listen now for an unforgettable tale of resilience, sharks, and sheer human grit. Grab a seat (and maybe some snacks), because you won’t want to miss a second of this one!

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Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-18877090

https://nmmc.co.uk/2022/05/the-50th-anniversary-of-the-robertson-family-rescue/

https://www.express.co.uk/news/history/1637061/shipwrecked-Robertson-family-whales-sea-SAS-survival

Follow Jess:

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠TikTok⁠

⁠YouTube⁠

While I do spout fictional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

In January 1906, the steamship SS Valencia embarked on a journey from San Francisco to Seattle—a routine voyage that would soon become one of the Pacific Northwest’s deadliest maritime disasters.

In this episode, we dive into the heartbreaking final hours of the SS Valencia, reliving the desperation, bravery, and tragic missteps that sealed the fate of nearly everyone on board. How did this routine journey become a legend of heartbreak and sorrow? And why do the tragic echoes of the Valencia still haunt the rugged coastline over a century later? Join me as I uncover the human stories left in the wake of one of history’s most devastating shipwrecks—a tale of tragedy, survival, and the unforgiving power of the sea.

Follow Jess:

instagram/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

TikTok/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

Snapchat/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

YouTube/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

While I do spout ficitional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at [email protected]

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

This episode of Deep Blue Diaries is taking you straight into the heart of some serious Ghost Ship Mysteries. We’re diving deep into the legend of Davy Jones, the ultimate sea devil you've seen in Pirates of the Caribbean—but there’s way more to his story than Hollywood lets on. Ever heard of Davy Jones' Locker? Spoiler: it's not where you want to end up. And then there's the Flying Dutchman, the most infamous of all ghost ships, cursed to sail the seas forever. I’m breaking down the gritty, spooky truth behind these legends and why they still give people chills. If you’re into ghost ships, blue true crime, dark ocean lore, and stories that make you want to leave the lights on, this is your episode. Let’s dive in—if you dare.

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Thanks to our show sponsor Dam Patch Co

Show notes:

Today’s show opener was an excerpt from John Boyle O’Reilly’s song “Songs of the Southern Seas” written in 1873.

If you’d like to read the The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett, written in 1751, or the The four years voyages of Capt. George Roberts written in 1725, both some of the earliest mentions of Davy Jones in print, or the book “Travels in various part of Europe, Asia and Africa during a series of thirty years and upward by John MacDonald, published in (1790) containing the the first known mention of the Flying Dutchman in print, I have put the full bucks in the Deep Blue Diaries Library and Patreon page.

Sources for today’s episode include:

Gutenburg.org

NPR.org

The Library of Congress Online

marineinsight.com

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

It's a short one today, but that makes it no less fun to tell. The legend of the Lady Lovibond is about one of the most famous ghost ships in history, and on the shores of England, where the ship allegedly went down, one town is making sure she doesn't cause any more deaths.

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

What do you get when you mix an abandoned ship, a perfectly set dinner table, and a whole crew that vanished into thin air? The Mary Celeste mystery. Welcome to the "Deep Boooo Diaries" - the Halloween miniseries on ghost ships. In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most bizarre maritime mysteries of all time. Was it mutiny? Pirates? A sea monster with a grudge? Or maybe something a little more... supernatural? Get ready for wild theories, unsettling clues, and plenty of "wait, what?" moments as we explore the case of the ship that set sail but never quite made it. Buckle up—it’s gonna be a bumpy ride across the high seas of weird. 🌊

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Join the Book Club and Patreon Page

Follow Jess: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

While I do spout fictional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at [email protected] 

Resources used for this episode: 

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

In this episode Deep Blue Diaries, we’ll plunge into one of the most chilling tales in maritime history—the Belgica Antarctic Expedition of 1897–1899. Join us as we explore the extraordinary true story of a crew of explorers who ventured into the uncharted waters of Antarctica, only to find themselves trapped in the ice for over a year. With no hope of escape, they battled extreme isolation, freezing temperatures, and a descent into madness.

All of my sources for this episode are below, but I want to particularly acknowledge author Julian Sancton, Julian and his book Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night. 

Follow Jess: 

instagram/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

TikTok/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

Snapchat/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

YouTube/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

While I do spout ficitional nonsense about the sea on my social media channels for entertainment purposes, I do put a lot of research into my podcast episodes. That being said, I’m an enthusiast, not an expert. If you are an expert, I welcome additional commentary or corrections - you can email me at [email protected] 

Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/deepbluediaries

We’re setting sail into the rhythmic world of sea shanties—songs that once echoed across the decks of 15th-century ships, and recently made waves in a very different setting: your social media feed.

But what is it about these work songs that made them so essential to sailors braving the stormy seas—and why have they re-emerged as viral sensations centuries later? 

In this episode, we unravel the complex origins of these songs. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the unsung heroes who preserved these maritime melodies, like Patrick Tayluer, whose adventurous tales blur the line between history and legend, and Jerzy Brzezinski, a modern-day sailor dedicated to keeping these traditions alive.

We’re exploring how shanties became more than just songs—they’re a lifeline to our collective past, a bridge across oceans, and a testament to the power of community. Tune in, and let’s find out if sea shanties really *do* drop your panties!

Follow Jess: 

instagram/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

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Snapchat/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

YouTube/JessthePrequelDoesMiami

Email: [email protected]

Resources:

Check out Jerzy Brzezinski and his expansive project cataloguing and performing Sea Shanties:

Website: https://traditionalshanties.com/

A few notable resources that were invaluable to researching this episode: 

The Library of Congress online: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2024/09/patrick-tayluer-the-greatest-sea-shanty-singer-youve-never-heard/

nautil.us

folkworks.org

trafalgarway.org

 balladofamerica.org 

classicalmusic.com

The Wellerman sung by Nathan Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP-7GNoDJ5c

Bones in the Ocean by The Longest Johns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6cPObw6wXA&list=PLfxnB1YXnxp7my7jD59O4yRmMDLvd1oje

“Blow, Boy, Blow,” performed by The Scratch Band, courtesy of culturalequity.org

https://archive.culturalequity.org/field-work/caribbean-1962/newcastle-762/blow-boy-blow-i

Whaling Johnny erformed by Stan Hugill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0C2kt99Kvw&list=OLAK5uy_k94VNBQNSxylbz10GsWF2-y0qEyEmqlH4&index=3

Patrick Tayleur tells his life story, courtesy of the Library Congress: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2024/09/patrick-tayluer-the-man-behind-the-sea-shanties/

Old Swansea Town Once More performed by Jerzy Brzezinski   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qp9nGg2h6A