Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

Ships of the Crusades

Joining me for this episode is Dr. Nicholas Morton, Associate Professor with the School of Arts and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University. Dr. Morton has written many books, including The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East.

The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by European Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries, aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control. These campaigns involved significant military efforts that spanned several decades, resulting in ongoing conflicts between European powers and Muslim territories in the Middle East. The Crusaders relied heavily on reinforcements, supplies, and communication from Europe, making maritime logistics essential for their campaigns. As many of the Crusades targeted areas like the Levant, which bordered the Mediterranean, control of sea routes became crucial for maintaining the flow of troops, weapons, food, and other supplies.

Ships played a vital role in transporting Crusaders, their horses, and their supplies across the Mediterranean. These vessels were typically galleys and large sailing ships equipped for both war and transport. Galleys, in particular, were favored for their speed and maneuverability, often being rowed when winds were unfavorable. Large Byzantine warships were used extensively by both Crusaders and their allies. Merchant ships were also repurposed to carry heavy equipment and reinforcements. Maritime supply lines were vulnerable to enemy attacks, and naval battles were frequent, with Crusaders often needing the protection of fleets from Venetian or Genoese navies, who provided expertise in shipbuilding and navigation. These fleets were essential in maintaining the Crusaders' foothold in the Holy Land.

https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/09/08/ships-of-crusades/

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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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The bulk carrier SS Marine Electric went down on February 12th, 1983, 30 miles off the coast of Virginia during a severe winter storm. The World War 2 era ship had been been deteriorating for years and suffered from rust, corrosion, failed pumps, and faulty safety features that the ship's owners, Marine Transport Lines had neglected to repair. Only 3 out of 34 crewmembers survived the wreck. Many Coast Guard reforms were developed as a result of this tragedy, including the formation of the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.

For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/08/24/ss-marine-electric/.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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History Daily

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by Lindsay Graham.

Audio editing and sound design by Mollie Baack.

Music by Lindsay Graham.

This episode is written and researched by James Benmore.

Executive Producers are Steven Walters for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

December 14, 1911. Roald Amundsen becomes the first person to reach the South Pole.

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The Halifax Explosion of 1917 occurred on December 6 when the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship laden with explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the narrow harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The collision caused a massive explosion that devastated the surrounding area, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths and injuring around 9,000 people. The blast obliterated buildings, started fires, and triggered a tsunami, causing widespread destruction in Halifax and the neighboring community of Dartmouth. It was the largest man-made explosion prior to the development of nuclear weapons, leaving a lasting impact on the city.

For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/08/04/the-halifax-explosion-of-1917/.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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The USS Thresher (SSN-593) was a nuclear-powered submarine that tragically sank on April 10, 1963, during a deep-diving test about 220 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. This disaster resulted in the loss of all 129 crew members and civilians on board, marking the deadliest submarine disaster in U.S. history. The Thresher's sinking highlighted critical flaws in submarine design and emergency response procedures, leading to the implementation of the SUBSAFE program, which significantly improved the safety and reliability of subsequent U.S. Navy submarines. The exact cause of the sinking remains undetermined, but it is believed to involve a combination of mechanical failure and human error under the extreme pressures of deep-sea conditions.

For images, sources, and a list of those who perished on USS Thresher, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/22/the-loss-of-uss-thresher/.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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Lord Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), was a daring and influential British naval officer renowned for his unconventional tactics and audacious exploits during the Napoleonic Wars. Known for his strategic brilliance and fearless leadership, Cochrane earned a reputation as one of the most successful frigate captains in the Royal Navy, particularly for his devastating raids on enemy ships and coastal installations. His innovative use of fireships and his bold attacks on French and Spanish vessels contributed significantly to British naval victories. Beyond his naval career, Cochrane was also a reformer in politics, advocating for naval and parliamentary reforms and challenging corruption. His life inspired the literary character Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's novels, cementing his legacy as a charismatic and resourceful naval commander.

For this episode's show page, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/07/lord-thomas-cochrane-the-sea-wolf/.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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Lord Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), was a daring and influential British naval officer renowned for his unconventional tactics and audacious exploits during the Napoleonic Wars. Known for his strategic brilliance and fearless leadership, Cochrane earned a reputation as one of the most successful frigate captains in the Royal Navy, particularly for his devastating raids on enemy ships and coastal installations. His innovative use of fireships and his bold attacks on French and Spanish vessels contributed significantly to British naval victories. Beyond his naval career, Cochrane was also a reformer in politics, advocating for naval and parliamentary reforms and challenging corruption. His life inspired the literary character Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's novels, cementing his legacy as a charismatic and resourceful naval commander.

For this episode's show page, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/07/07/lord-thomas-cochrane-the-sea-wolf/.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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The Lakonia was launched in 1929 as the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (JVO) of the Netherlands Line as an ocean liner, servicing the route between Europe and the Dutch East Indies. After being converted to a troop ship during World War 2, she returned to passenger service until 1963, when she was sold to the Greek Line. The JVO was refurbished and renamed as the Lakonia, then relaunched as a cruise ship. In December of 1963, the ship was en route from Southampton, England to the Canary Islands with over over 1000 passengers and crew when a fire broke out in the hair salon, caused by faulty wiring. A slow response by the ship's crew, contradictory orders, and faulty lifeboats resulted in the deaths of 128 people.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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The 1881 Steamboat Victoria disaster in London, Ontario, Canada, remains one of the most tragic maritime accidents in Canadian history. On May 24, 1881, the Victoria, a paddlewheel steamboat, was packed with passengers enjoying a holiday excursion on the Thames River. However, tragedy struck when the boat became unstable, and its boiler came loose from its mountings. The boiler crashed through the support stanchions, causing the upper deck to collapse on those below, and the boat to sink. Over 180 passengers perished.

For images and sources related to this episode, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/?p=1444.

For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

You can support the podcast in multiple ways!

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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From History Daily, hosted by Lindsay Graham, The Sinking of the Laconia. Get ad-free access to History Daily, Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, and many other fantastic history podcasts, on the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.

September 12, 1942. During the Second World War, a German U-boat sinks the RMS Laconia, killing over 1,600 of the British liner’s passengers.

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham.

Audio editing by Muhammad Shahzaib.

Sound design by Mischa Stanton.

Music by Lindsay Graham.

This episode is written and researched by Erik Archilla.

Executive Producers are Alexandra Currie-Buckner for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

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