It’s the the Roaring 20s. This is the true story of Joan Lowell, a beautiful young woman with a story to tell – including one about her father’s shipwreck, the Star of Bengal. This is a tale of Hollywood, Broadway, a best-selling book, and the invention of a great American hoax.

Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

The steamship captains are once again in a fight for their lives, this time to clear their names. The investigation into the wreck of the Star of Bengal takes unexpected twists and turns, as a Wrangell witness drops a bombshell. We deconstruct the chief inspector’s report, and show what he got wrong.

Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

The only hope of rescue for the Star of Bengal lies with the two steamships Hattie Gage and Kayak, but both of them are in a race for their lives. We’ll use eyewitness statements to reconstruct the ship’s final moments and the accusations of cowardice against the steamship captains.

Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

It’s the summer of 1908, and the Star of Bengal bids farewell to San Francisco. After a long, hard season of fishing and canning salmon, the 138 men throw a farewell party before sailing home. But a dark fate lays ahead.

Learn more: wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

There are many stories about the Star of Bengal. In our first episode, we introduce you to some of its best-known legends. We’ll take you back to 1874 when Irish shipbuilders Harland & Wolff launched the Star of Bengal, through its decades at sea, up to Alaska.

Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

Announcing a new series from Wrangell History Unlocked, Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal.

This preview features the 60-second trailer, a brief introduction from the author, and a 3m 30sec clip from Episode 1.

learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star contact: [email protected]

On a stormy night in 1879, John Muir climbed the mountain behind Fort Wrangel, Alaska and built a fire so large it lit up the sky. The reaction of the surprised Tlingit villagers below has gone down in legend, misunderstood and maligned for over a century.

In today’s episode, we’ll look at the conflicts at play in John Muir‘s life to understand why he built the fire. We’ll dive into the people and places mentioned in the story. And, for the first time ever, we’ll offer a date for the night of John Muir’s fire: September 15, 1879.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/john-muir-fire

In December 1878, Fort Wrangel, Alaska is a lawless place. No one is in charge. Chaos reigns.

When a gold miner is shot dead inside a saloon, the people in Fort Wrangel are forced to bring the murderer to justice.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/john-boyd

This week, we recognize some of the outstanding authors in Wrangell history. Authors featured include: Patricia A. Neal, Bonnie Demerjian, Pat Roppel, Frances Lackey Paul, Debra Komar, and Dr. Emily L. Moore.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/reading-wrangell-historians

In 1899, amidst the chaos of the Klondike Gold Rush, a new minister arrived in Fort Wrangel to serve to a congregation split along racial lines. The Reverend H.P. Corser became an advocate for his Alaska Native congregation and challenged his superiors in the church. The conflict set Reverend Corser, and his congregation, on a path of exodus.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/corser