Accident or Arson? The Mystery Of The Morro Castle. A Short Disaster Documentary

On September 8th 1934 the residents of Asbury Park NJ awoke to a sight they wouldn't forget in a hurry, as the burning hulk of an 11,500 tonne luxury cruise liner lay just off the coast.
It was the SS Morro Castle, and her tragic tale endures as one of the most mysterious of maritime history. A dead captain, dereliction of duty and even possibly murder....
Unlike other maritime disasters such as the Moby Prince or Yarmouth Castle, there is some evidence that the fire onboard the Morro Castle was deliberately set.
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This channel is dedicated to the interesting, the strange, the unsolved, the tragic. Our world has a varied history full of terrible tragedies, bizarre tales, unexplained events,and extravagant people. I hope you enjoy our content.
#History #Disasters

[@theravenseye9443]

Apologies for the re-upload. I ran into some copyright issues with some of the old newsreel footage (!) and thought it best to re edit the video. Thanks for the (now deleted) comments - I did read them all....

[@TracyA123]

I dont understand how they can claim old newsreel footage. I understand copyright but you've used it for fair use purposes. I also understand, though, that avoiding an issue is better than dealing with one.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Old newsreel footage, unbelievable, to hell in a hand basket, I think we are there Sir, unfortunately!!!🙏😵‍💫

[@yakacm]

@@TracyA123 I don't think copyright trolls care, they have found a source of income and that's it. The shit ppl have claimed copyright on is unbelievable. I remember seeing on Leonard French's channel about some shady house builder who copyrighted, the layout of house, not the plans, just where the rooms were etc, and made millions by having agents who scoured new build developments, to see if anyone had used 'their' layouts. And they had copyrighted 100's of different layout, the thing is these layouts have been used for 100's of years, and there's only so many ways you cam layout a house, but still they made s hit load of dough from it.

[@TracyA123]

@@yakacm that's crazy!

[@williamshafer3199]

@@yakacm like how Microsoft Word has copyrighted the English language; now with '365' we are expected to pay rent on it every year :(

[@terrigodmother]

I remember hearing about this from my mother who saw the ship from the beach in Asbury Park. After the success of the Titanic story I really expected this would also become a movie. It could have everything...hot tropic nights, romance, booze, possible arson and murder, etc. I'm really surprised it hasn't.

[@theravenseye9443]

Yes - it's got all the ingredients for first class movie - it reads like the plot of a paperback mystery novel..

[@JosephKulik2016]

You can rest assured that if there was any money to have been made off this tragedy, the GREEDY Capitalists in Hollywood would have pounced on it by now.

[@RatPfink66]

@@theravenseye9443 going by the comments here, it is no longer any more than a local or regional story, despite the spectacle of the burning wreckage and the tragic loss of life.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

And it doesn't look like George Rogers has any heirs to file lawsuits over such a project.

[@johncox2865]

My uncle George, a fire chief in Columbus Georgia back in the 60s, told me of a “hero” fireman who was actually an arsonist/murderer. Uncle George told me that this was much more common than publicly known.

[@3a.m.284]

One of my great uncles was a firefighter arsonist

[@johnredcorn2476]

Someone watched backdraft too many times

[@Cypher791]

Like Fire Chief John Orr… he was the hero and the Guru investigator who knew everything about every fire he attended… even wrote a book about a fire fighter who was an arsonist… turns out he had started hundreds of fires for years.

[@MondoBeno]

I've heard a lot of stories about that. Either the fireman deliberately sets the fire so he can be the one coming to the rescue, or it's some kind of Munchausen-by-Proxy syndrome.

[@Firstname137]

I lived in a town where there was a cop who was making all sorts of drug arrests, like a crazy amount of them. She used to give interviews and say it was all due to a gut feeling and that she had taken the war on drug seriously. A few years later, her son ends up overdosing , he made it but a separate dept opened an investigation against him and she threw a fit over it, long story short in had been an open secret in the PD that her son was one of several major drug dealers and all the people she was arresting were basically his competitors or people who owed him money . Nothing came of it, she and her entire family moved to vegas.

[@sirawesomenessi1796]

World’s most underrated channel! I’m listening while I work. Your storytelling is excellent.

[@theravenseye9443]

Cheers for that comment.... It is appreciated!

[@stephenbritton9297]

I bet if you looked into Roger's childhood, you would find a history of small nuisance fires (garbage, leaf piles) maybe even outbuilding or vacant house fires that were never solve (or even investigated back then). He seems to fit the serial arsonist (with a bit of an explosive streak) mold

[@TheRis81]

I've never heard of explosive mold, interesting 😂

[@stephenbritton9297]

@@TheRis81 🤦‍♂️ I see what I did there… 😹

[@hiddenmistninja111]

The number of closet fires that start tragedies like this completely contextualizes the fire training I had as a Nurse Aide. They tell you to immediately check closets and closed cupboards before sweeping the main room when evacuating patients

[@Dan-nt2yb]

The ineptitude of the crew is breathtaking. It’s no wonder you have to have training certification out the ying-yang these days with any hope of employment.

[@TorontoJediMaster]

ITA. It was a bad situation to begin. However, a properly trained crew likely could have kept it under control. Instead, their almost criminal ineptitude turn it into an utter disaster. (To be fair, there *were* individual crew members who displayed courage and did the best they could. But, poor training and equipment more meant even their best efforts would come to naught.) Captain Wilmott, had apparently ordered fire mains on the Promenade Deck shut off some time earlier after a passenger slipped on water dripping from a fire hose standpipe and sued the Ward Line. As well, he was very lax in conducting drills (he didn't want to alarm the passengers who just wanted a good time) or do much in training the crew for emergencies. The composition of the crew itself also contributed. During the Depression, the Ward Line apparently hired landsmen who were desperate for work. They could get away paying them wages far below what certified seamen would get as they were grateful for the pittance along with three meals a day and a bunk. Then, you have examples like Evan Abbott, the Chief Engineer who abandoned his post and the ship. It was blatant cowardnice. Compare this to how crews on the "Titanic" and "Lusitania" behaved.

[@lisaamato1332]

The more I watch, the more I am growing to love your channel! You artfully succeed in drawing the viewer into each and every story!

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the great comment - glad you found the channel.

[@henrymanzano2201]

Definitely! New fan and subscriber here!

[@MichaelD8393]

The photo at 6:06 showing the _Morro Castle_ silhouetted against the night sky with the fire being the only source of light so haunting.

[@benjaminmatheny6683]

My conspiracy suggestion is that the Radio operator poisoned the first captain and set the fire in a panic to avoid discovery. That captain complained of stomach ache, then died of "heart attack" on the same night. Radio operator also has a verified history of killing to cover up even the possibility of discovery (bombing the friend).

[@Ben-ks5bm]

Based on what? Sounds like utter nonsense tbh

[@booth2710]

I really believe no one can say how they might behave in a fire. Nothing is more terrifying.

[@ellenbryn]

Wow. Definitely more in-depth than the usual story. You may be right about that "wanna be a hero" thing: I know of two different cases of serial arson where the arsonist turned out to be a firefighter. Interesting notes from this article on firebugs (a perennial fear in California): Arsonists are popularly believed to be seeking sexual gratification, but that’s true in only 3.5% of cases, according to a 2017 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry. More often, arsonists seek relief from emotional distress. Other studies have shown that arsonists tend to lack social skills and struggle to express their feelings through “normal means.” Fires are rarely set for one reason alone; instead, motivations fall across a spectrum: excitement or anger, revenge or sport, profit or crime concealment, control or heroism. In 1986, the FBI created a special group to study the personalities of serial arsonists. Interviewing more than 80 convicts in jails and prisons, these experts found that fire-setters were predominantly young white men who lacked stability and had cold or distant relationships with their families. Around 70% had a prior felony arrest. There was something else: About 95% had some interest in the fire service. www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2020/california-fires-firebug-arson/

[@blackhawks81H]

I've been a firefighter for over 20 years... The general public has no idea just how damn many arsonists are firemen. It happens all the time, especially in smaller towns with volunteer departments that don't get a ton of calls... Hell, the most famous firefighter movie of all time... Backdraft... Is pretty much about the topic. Although one might argue in that movie he did the wrong thing for the right reasons. But still. It's unreal how common it is. Something about the personality type that makes you run into burning buildings, while everyone else is running out... Seems to attract a lot of Pyros.

[@thewingedpotato6463]

Reminds me of that saying: "the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth"

[@archstanton6102]

@@blackhawks81H I am not doubting your skill or heroism as a fire fighter but surely the most famous fire fighter film is The Towering Inferno?

[@blackhawks81H]

@@archstanton6102 Alright, I'll give you that one. But Backdraft is still the BEST firefighting movie. Lol.

[@archstanton6102]

@@blackhawks81H I will take your expert word on that.

[@sunpang1]

You should do a video on MS «Scandinavian Star», a fire accident on a ferry going between norway and danmark. A big mystery.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think "Fascinating Horror" already covered it though...

[@rogerrendzak8055]

@@theravenseye9443 Ahhh, the OTHER 'Dark Bird', channel 😉!!

[@Blaklege63]

George is guilty as hell

[@change_your_oil_regularly4287]

It's unreal how often something like this has happened at sea. Crew ineptitude, fleeing only interested in saving themselves. Costa Concordia, Sewol Ferry, Oceanos, MS Express Simina etc etc etc there are many many many more.

[@Operngeist1]

It's unfortunately very common human behavior to flee (or do nothing) when faced with sudden disasters that require people in charge to take responsibility. The human mind shuts down because we are not able to comprehend the magnitude of the event. Not everyone of course, we see the opposite quite often with pilots that save their plane and their passengers against all odds.

[@toddkurzbard]

ANDREA DORIA and Collins' ARCTIC as well.

[@daviddunsmore103]

@@toddkurzbard I'm not familiar with your latter example. Can you elaborate please? 🤔

[@toddkurzbard]

@@daviddunsmore103 Both were cases of passenger liner disasters where the crew abandoned ship, and left the passengers to their own devices.

[@mikef5881]

@@toddkurzbard La Bourgogne (1898) may have been the worst, if the reports are true that some of the crew slaughtered passengers with knives in the struggle for lifeboats, and pushed women overboard from others.

[@Snapper314]

Excellent video on this tragic tale. And sadly these problems still exist on modern cruise ships. Even today we hear tales of ship crews abandoning passengers during emergencies.

[@Ytnzy250]

Costa Con Cordia comes to mind.

[@njunderground82]

I grew up in New Jersey, and now live a few towns over from Asbury Park. I've heard the story since I was young, and I'm always fascinated by it. Such a tragedy.

[@melasnexperience]

Bummer about the copyright issues, but I'm glad you could re-upload it.

[@susanlampshire639]

Fascinating true story which I was previously unaware of. That Radio Operator was a scary character who may well have had it in him to possibly do such a terrible thing.

[@XXSkunkWorksXX]

You have a voice perfect for broadcasting, long may you continue.

[@toddkurzbard]

I've always believed George Rogers was responsible. Granted, he's "innocent until proven guilty", but his M.O. seems to put him in the role.

[@moragwilliamson1736]

Creepy looking guy. Just look at his eyes.

[@Lozzomatic]

@@moragwilliamson1736 He looks like a fat Peter Lorre. "I wonder who started the fire...eet wasn't me, no no. Most certainlee not. I would neever do such an eeevil theeng..."

[@PiXie232]

Fascinating story.. and extremely well told. Definitely has all the makings of a murder mystery/tragedy all wrapped up in one. I have been thoroughly enjoying your videos since I found your channel:) It’s my new favorite channel!💕

[@theravenseye9443]

Glad you found me !!

[@fredjennings5312]

Unbelievable that other ships are calling the coast guard about a ship on fire before the shitty acting captain even decided to send an SOS.

[@beautifulblackbeauty8641]

Just stumbled across you. So glad I did. You cover stories I never heard of before. Excellent research, production, film footage and script. I' m hooked!

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks! Glad you found the channel.

[@augierivera6171]

@@theravenseye9443 Same here! New subscriber! You're channel is awesome! Thank you for sharing these stories that I've never heard of before.

[@duncancurtis1758]

Witnesses stated burning passengers jumped overboard in broad daylight, and the crew rode away in the first lifeboat.

[@vincitveritas3872]

Concordia seemed the same

[@Inveterate-introvert]

As a deck officer, I always love hearing how much harder engineers are than us, but they're always the first to fucking flee in a disaster. Happened in my old company where there was a fire onboard and the chief engineer tried to abandon ship with a few other crew members instead of assisting in fire fighting. Looked like a right prick when the fire was easily extinguished.

[@conordoyle4662]

I've been working in the Convention Hall since my late teens, especially at the two bars that stretch along the promenades out towards the water closest to where the Moro Castle was. While I've never seen any, plenty of coworkers have reported seeing ghosts of the victims late at night. If I recall right, the paramount theater (part of the hall) in particular was used as a makeshift morgue.

[@theravenseye9443]

Gosh - eerie.....

[@toni5431]

Only discovered your channel last night so I'm marathoning my way through your titles. I have heard about some of them but there are many that are new to me. I've been hooked on disasters and tragedies since mum bought home a book called Deadline Disasters when I was 13. Your content is concise and very well put together but I do wish it was a little longer as I am greedy lol.

[@dennis2376]

What a frustrating disaster. The radio operator should have taken the initiative to radio for help, but the fact that he might have started the fire and looking forward to the lime light makes sense that he did no use his instinctive. Thank you.

[@DonHermanDenver]

Having watched several videos on ship fires, I have learned: Fire aboard ship is always worse than anyone thinks. Every decision immediately becomes fraught with politics and image impact, often leading to immobility. The crew will almost always save themselves before you. Lifeboats never leave full. Jumping off the boat is an absolute last-chance option. You will almost certainly die. No, the lifeboats will not pick you up.

[@rshegg7605]

I always travel in the life boat , just in case 😉

[@daviddunsmore103]

@@rshegg7605 I always stay ashore, which has so far kept me safe from sinkings and fires at sea. 😀

[@chatteyj]

Jumping into the sea as long as it isn't too cold should not mean certain death it should mean a good chance of survival but not in the stories on this channel and several other disaster channels for some reason.

[@kevingantz2230]

I love that you cover these less mentioned stories

[@solsun75]

Whoopie cruise! Sounds like a good time. Interesting story, love your content.

[@benwilkins6208]

You should look into doing a video on the Yarmouth Castle, a similar named ship that suffered a similar fate in 1965

[@itsjohndell]

My young Father, about to enter medical school and his older brother who would become Chief Engineer on SS United States for most of her service were on the beach in Sea Girt NJ that night. (she later beached on Asbury Park). They lent aid to the survivors as best they could with my uncle, a strong swimmer, bringing them from the surf and Dad rendering First Aid. To there dieing days they both agreed that the best action would have been to drive her hard aground in the shallow beach.

[@TracyA123]

Hey brother this video is awesome. Your production value is wonderful! I don't mind the re-upload...I will watch it several more times. ☺

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks - I really do appreciate all the great comments I get about the channel...

[@TracyA123]

@@theravenseye9443 You're more than welcome sir! I look forward to every video!☺

[@markdragan9136]

The Bogan family who still run passenger fishing boats to this day out of Point Pleasant Nj (the Gambler,Jamaica,Jamaica II,Paramount are all boats still run by the family today) are unsung hero’s from old Local News paper articles I have read?The coast Guard DIDN’T send anyone until the next day because it was deemed too rough & The Local fisherman,the Bogans & their crews in particular went out & rescued a lot of survivors from the water.I remember reading how they only had room for survivors not body’s & in many instances had to convince people to let go of deceased loved ones & be rescued! Very sad story & story’s have come out of this. The Asbury Park Fire Department still has the fire engine that responded to this & use it in parades etc. as it is restored!

[@alantoon5708]

My father and family went to see the Morro Castle after it had run aground at Asbury Park.

[@Nick-Emery]

As soon as I saw the picture of Rogers I was like ‘he set the fire!’

[@fredericcolombier5380]

In fact on board of a ship given it's size , you have more or less than 2 to 10 minutes to extinguish the fire , after this time it's over you have to abandon the ship .

[@Ben-ks5bm]

Based on what exactly???

[@ickleshouse]

only found your channel by fluke, so glad we did, subd...

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the sub - always appreciated.

[@MajiggerRose]

Rogers kinda seems like he started off having some version of Munchausen by Proxy. Obviously it seems like it escalated, but the fact that he wanted to paint himself as the hero while putting other people in danger. Maybe it's also a narcissism thing but it's just very weird.

[@Straswa]

Great vid Raven's Eye. Definitely enjoying your content.

[@barrydysert2974]

Excellent *minor exception previously noted. Very well done. Perhaps it was all of those things and... he wanted to see what a burning ship looked like. He was a sick sick man !:-( 💜🙏⚡️

[@janel7267]

keep up the great work (bummer when you have to re-upload but glad when you do)

[@theravenseye9443]

Many thanks indeed!

[@danikmcintyre2068]

maybe whoever set the fire wanted to destroy the captains body so it could not be proven that he had been poisened

[@heatherporterfield7343]

The ending quote was from "The Dark Knight " and it was said by Sir Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth. 2008.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

Varys said something similar about Littlefinger in an episode of Game Of Thrones.

[@peronik349]

The personality of this George Rogers is certainly subject to discussion. It is possible that he is suffering from the same syndrome as these firefighters (thank god very rare), who to put on the cape of "SuperMan The Savior of the World" again, become arsonists (in the phychiatric sense of the term).

[@daystar4909]

Not a problem my good friend!

[@cent178]

My grandfather was on this ship. Not sure his role, steward I think. He died when I was 8 in the 1970. He and my grandma used to take this trip.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Just stumbled upon, this channel!! Has plenty of subject matter, I am searching, for 😊!! Always loved the tale of this disaster, that unfolded off the coast of South Jersey, MANY years ago. The fire started much farther south. Like off of Cape May County maybe,🤔?? And YES, it was George Rogers 🙄!! That's an obvious, one. Sociopath? LOOK at this guy!! His face, says it all 😏!! Good job, BTW!!!

[@toddclean547]

Crew members need to sign a document that if they ignore the safety of their passengers that the consequences could be death. These ship stories are all the same: Coward crew.

[@hyun808]

Am I the only one to speculate that Roger killed the captain ?

[@alternateself1244]

Great video, wonder how Rogers could have set the fire if he was in the radio room the whole time...? have to watch it again already 🤔

[@EnoVarma]

Great writing.

[@stefansmom]

This is an amazing channel well done have you ever did a video on the Halifax Explosion of dec 6th 1917???

[@danielmorse4213]

Arson and a dead captain. Interesting.

[@charliekezza]

Love ur vids

[@JonosBtheMC]

"They're all mad men up there!" Said the man who waited for an order from them anyway...

[@Dovietail]

It doesn't help that George Rogers totally looks like "the sociopath from central casting!"

[@williamschlenger1518]

That's Asbury park 7 miles from me in Long Branch.

[@George_M_]

And so it was a psychotic serial arsonist. Jeez. Basically a real life supervillain.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

I wasn't aware that SS Morro Castle was a 'cruise liner'. I always understood that it was built for the Cuba run, out of New York.

[@williamschlenger1518]

My dad took pictures on 220 roll film & I gave them to a nice old guy.

[@rositawest4279]

Subscribed 👍🏾👍🏾

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks!

[@greendragon4058]

Fires on boats are the most dangerous fires

[@davidmintun]

The radio operator poisoned the captain and set the fire to burn the evidence, and cover his crime. And it worked.

[@janiceteeter6091]

wondered if George set the fire because he had used his chemical knowledge to murder the captain, then used the fire to get rid of a body that would be examined upon docking. that is if the body had been kept in a cooler and not buried at sea. Although even if buried at sea, an investigation would still be likely to happen after docking.

[@danikmcintyre2068]

thats what im thinking too, they would have kept the body to return to his family

[@cindys9491]

A fire at sea has to be one of the worst situations, even if accidental. Those poor passengers were trapped in a deadly catch-22. RIP

[@michaelwhalen2821]

Rogers makes me think of Donald Merwin Elbert (aka The Trashcan Man) in that Stephen King novel, "The Stand."

[@MondoBeno]

Titanic, Morro Castle, Costa Concordia, they all have something in common - the officers screwed up.

[@PC-Phobic-Jean-Rene]

Just looking at the radio-operator, my impression was immediately _negative!_ Something about his appearance.

[@fanaticat1]

I live about 20 miles from where this happened...

[@jimmys50]

1930's $75.00 would be $1330.74 in today's dollars.

[@marksolarz3756]

The Normandy...mysterious fire...and cause. Another famous one.

[@johnr797]

I think that was the reapers

[@toddkurzbard]

The NORMANDIE wasn't deliberate. The ship was being tossed back and forth among the various military branches, and one hand didn't know what the other was doing. Inflammable kapok lifejackets were stored right next to the bases of what in peacetime had been the dining room light columns, which the Navy had ordered removed with an acetylene torch. While making the final cut on the last one, a spark from workman Clement Derrick's torch leapt over the protective shield, and landed on one of the nearby (which SHOULDN'T have been nearby, but had been temporarily placed there before distribution to their intended destination) kapok lifejacket piles. The results, as we now know, were predictable. Once the fire commenced, it spread through the place like, well, wildfire. The efforts to fight it were like a Keystone Kops comedy, except this comedy was tragic. In the end, the damage was bad, but not irreparable, but the final blow, ironically, came from trying to SAVE her; the New York City Fire Department, trying to drown the fire at all costs, sent fireboats into the slip to douse the flames. The problem was, they couldn't do the same from the PIER-the hoses weren't long enough, and the magnificent fire equipment in the ship was useless-the French fire couplings didn't match the American ones. So, all the tons and tons of water were coming from one side, and that threw her into a heavy list. soon, it became obvious that she was capsizing, but incompetence came from officer d*ck-waving: The ship's DESIGNER, Vladimir Yourkevich, came down to the pier, DESPERATELY trying to instruct them how to open the sea-cocks to let her settle on an even keel on the bottom-then, she simply could have been pumped free of the water. What was he told by the Admiral in charge? "This is a Navy Job!", and made to go away, in tears to watch his creation be destroyed. The result being, of course, she capsized, and then the long, unprecedented salvage operation to right her. Even THEN, there were plans to refit her, President Roosevelt HIMSELF essentially DEMANDING it, when another snag reared its' head; during the capsizing and subsequent salvage, the NORMANDIE had had one section resting on an underwater rock outcropping in the slip, and, as she was rotating back into trim during the salvage, said rock ripped into the hull above it. This had damaged the compartment SO severely (in fact it had proven nearly impossible to quench the flooding in that one compartment during the salvage operations), that it was going to take a TREMENDOUS amount of work (and money) to repair it. An uneconomical amount. PLUS, the engine that had been submerged was ruined. Add to this that the war was coming to a close, and, basically, it was decided to scrap her. She WAS offered back to the French, but in the shape she was in, they didn't want her. So what was left was sold to a scrapyard (who quickly painted their name on her flanks like a giant billboard, same as the GREAT EASTERN), and scrapped what was left.

[@gary1961]

@@toddkurzbard Come on, Todd. Paragraphs would have been helpful. Much easier on the eyes.

[@toddkurzbard]

@@gary1961 I can't help it. Once I get going on a story, it just keeps flowing and flowing without me realizing it. That's why most people run away when I start telling stories.

[@nodrogdivad]

He looks VERY drunk in all of his photos, 1st impression I got was, "there's something wrong with this guy"....

[@whydahell3816]

Its scary when you think your surrounded by experienced crew, staff and or officers. Comes to, they're all minimum wage employees that "Ain't paid enough for this crap"

[@SilverMe2004]

At some point when staff start abounding ship and taking life boats, it feels more like a failure of command rather then a dereliction of duty. like the radio operator, the floor is too hot to stand on but I better wait for permission or I might upset command. Burning passenger where jumping into the see and the abandon ship order still had not been given. how long are staff meant to wait?

[@benwilson6145]

CQ is the code for all ships to receive the message.

[@Llewfran]

Please excuse me being pedantic, but around 1:07 you state the ship was built in 1930. However, the photo states it was built in 1900 and was serving with the Ward line until 1924. Did I miss something?

[@metalmadsen]

Have you heard of Scandanavian Star? There are new information in the case.

[@victoriapulcifer6218]

The hardest hitting message for me isn't featured in the video, so I'll share it here. "What if I suddenly disappear tomorrow? What would you do? just curious"

[@rogerrendzak8055]

???????????

[@woodenseagull1899]

Ring the Police....!!

[@gary1961]

???????????????!!!!

[@mayamccray6491]

All I can say is my god terrible.

[@knrdvmmlbkkn]

01:06 "built in 1930"? It says 1900 on the screen (below the photograph).

[@anthonyellis987]

It's too convenient that the next place George worked caught on fire. Clearly there was something wrong with.

[@donaldpalmer6299]

I don’t think the acting captain had any idea what he was doing at all.

[@darrenrexfrancis2538]

They had obviously NEVER had a fire drill!!!!!

[@johndavid3114]

He killed the captain and started the fire to destroy the evidence.

[@CPorter]

So why does that photograph say it was built in 1900 instead of 1930?

[@Gematrinator]

rogers definitely did this.

[@Scroticus_Maximus]

What could go wrong?

[@stuartlee6622]

The S.S. Leviathan didn't serve liquor, so how come the Morro Castle offered liquor? Are you sure about this?

[@Falcon7001]

Wrong about the liquor part. Prohibition ended on December 5, 1933. This happened on September 8, 1934. Prohibition was long over.

[@RatPfink66]

But it had kept _Morro Castle_ sailing near capacity all thru the early 1930s. 3 miles off US coastline and the corks popped, and the partying kept up all the way to Havana. The package was all inclusive, including meals and drinks, plus 2 nights accommodation in Havana before reboarding the _Morro_ for the return trip to New York. Even after Repeal it was a helluva deal - and no one knew what a deathtrap the ship really was. The compartments were air-cooled by bulkheads that didn't meet the overheads, but ended 6" below them. When fire broke out, it moved thru the gaps as freely as the air it fed on. For appearance's sake there was a standing order, "When in doubt, paint it." So many coats of paint caked the ship that lifeboat davits no longer functioned, and strips of paint peeled in the heat and fed the fires.

[@user-yw9gy3mj8h]

he's a firebug.

[@davesmith5656]

Guy, the photo at about 1:07 minutes says, "The Morro Castle (6,004 grt, 400ft. long), built in 1900. She served with Ward Line until 1924." But you say in your video that the Morro Castle was built in 1930, and came in at 11,500 tons. Was there an earlier ship, also named Morro Castle, or was the photo mislabeled?

[@theravenseye9443]

I think the photo refers to an earlier "Morro Castle" - my mistake.

[@toddkurzbard]

the 1930 MORRO CASTLE is correct.

[@macaylacayton2915]

yeah listening to everything in this video, it does sound hard to tell whether it was accidental or arson. there is evidence for both, but the intensity is making me think it was maybe both if that is possible, I mean like maybe someone on board ACCIDENTALLY started the arson incident. Sometimes crimes are caused accidentally you know?

[@PiXie232]

Arson isn’t accidental… it’s wholly intentional. That’s the point, unfortunately.

[@macaylacayton2915]

@@PiXie232 can you prove that arson has NEVER been started accidentally? nothing is ever 100% bud, not even the law

[@PrezVeto]

@@macaylacayton2915 Arson is intentional by definition.

[@PiXie232]

@@macaylacayton2915 when an accelerant has been used to start a fire, it’s not accidental. They KNOW what going happen if it starts alight- it’s not going to be able to be easily put out at all, but instead accelerate it. Did you hear the description of the flames aboard the ship? A bluish flame? Thats definitely a chemical fire of some sort- ie an accelerant was used intentionally. And to further bolster these claims, the same ship had an *intentional fire* set the week before but it was able to be put out quickly that time. And then.. the timing of the captain’s unseemly death on that fateful day… was even more reason for this to be considered arson. You definitely wouldn’t make a very good investigator, because you clearly don’t look at all of the facts.. and I’m not even naming them all off- just the ones I remember off the top of my head. And look up the definition of arson while you’re at it, since you clearly aren’t taking my word for it.

[@macaylacayton2915]

@@PiXie232 but what if they did NOT bring any accelerant but let the stuff on the vessel do all the work but didn't INTEND for it to be as bad as it was? Would that still be purposeful arson or would it be accidental arson or both? All I am saying is that murder can be accidental, so couldn't arson ALSO be accidental? they're both crimes that relate to killing people.

[@4oyageryramaira269]

Whats the famous film???

[@8bitorgy]

Banning guns won't ban evil

[@MondoBeno]

First off, the captain's stomach pains could've been a sign of an impending heart attack. Secondly, there were a million ways for the fire to start. They say it began in the Writing Room? A steward could've been taking an unauthorized smoking break and improperly disposed of the stubbed cigarette. That would start a fire, and the woodwork probably had flammable varnish, which would've helped the fire along. There would've been flammable materials, paints, and paint thinner on board, which will burn hot and flow several feet. Then the smoke would've gone through the vents and into the rooms. Did George Rodgers (future career criminal) start the fire so that he could take charge and be the hero? There's no proof. It's like tossing a coin, either he did or did not.

[@rshegg7605]

If you want to go on a cruise 🚢 always fill a lifeboat with lots of food and drink,and at least four girls, and stay there. I’ve never had a bad trip xxxx

[@yakacm]

Says under the picture at 01:05 that the ship was built in 1900, I think you said 1930.

[@danikmcintyre2068]

wrong morro castle, there where two with the same name