The Salty Siren

After losing 4 aircraft carriers during the battle of Midway, and with the US continuing to retake more Pacific islands, Japan seriously needed another carrier. Enter Shinano, a Yamato class super-battleship refitted as a carrier. Unfortunately, due to shoddy engineering and a chance encounter with the submarine USS Archerfish, Shinano was not long for this world.

This week, we will learn about a fateful encounter between a Japanese merchant convoy and a U.S. submarine wolf pack in WWII. To set this up, we first need to learn about the Balao class submarine and the many technical issues crews faced during combat. 

The many issues with the Balao class submarine seemed fated to resolve in time for the perfect storm of mayhem that was Ramage's Rampage. Within a 34 minute engagement, a combination of quick thinking, resourcefulness, and luck would make Lawson P. Ramage one of the most successful submarine commanders.

Join us for part 2 as we dive deeper into the making of the movie U-571, how historical events influenced its plot, and the disgruntled survivors and historians that denounced the movie.

U-571 is an action packed submarine war movie that is beloved by many. Released at the turn of the century, audiences watched stars such as Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, and Jon Bon Jovi attempt to escape German forces in a commandeered German U-Boat, U-571. The movie is filled with action and dramatic set pieces, but is the film true to real events from the Battle of the Atlantic? Let's find out!

With special guest Joe Kosiek, this week we'll hear about the antics and missteps of the HMS Vixen, an experimental steamship with iron support structures and a wooden hull. Stick around for more info about the island of Bermuda!

 This week David will tell us how naval engineering, tactics, and weaponry have evolved throughout human history. In part 2 we cover WWI through the modern day, where naval combat becomes more deadly and precise.

This week David will tell us how naval engineering, tactics, and weaponry have evolved throughout human history. Tune in for details on crescent fighting, ships of the line, U-boats, and ramming: a battle strategy that refuses to go out of style.

Across countless miles of ocean and throughout 45 years of service, Jacques Cousteau and his beloved vessel Calypso have contributed so much to marine biology, conservation, and scientific research. Learn about the vessel that weathered countless challenges, and gave us a glimpse into the silent world beneath the waves.

From shipping necessity to British hipster pastime, narrowboats have a long and interesting history. Long and slender and putting along at glacial pace, these vessels are a unique part of British naval identity. Stay tuned for David's first hand experience with a narrowboat vacation!