Best of the History Guy: Maritime Disasters

From The History Guy vaults, six classic episodes about disasters at sea. Nearly a full hour of the History Guy.
00:00 - The Sultana Explosion
07:54 - Explosion aboard USS Princeton
14:44 - Women and Children First: The Birkenhead Disaster
21:56 - The Worst Maritime Disaster in New York History: The General Slocum
30:08 - Explosion of SS Mount Hood
45:14 - The Hoboken Docks Fire
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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[@RetiredSailor60]

As a retired Sailor, these maritime stories have a place in my heart. In 1994 I was stationed on USS Whidbey Island LSD 41. Helped to rescue 8100 Cuban nationals from the Florida Straits in their attempt to reach the United States via whatever they could find that floats.

[@nataliabirchall9093]

I’m not a sailor and no one in my family ever have been to my knowledge, but for some reason maritime stories just hit differently. I think sailors are so brave as it seems like just a little mistake can cause major disasters, I think that’s why I’m always so interested! I have a lot of respect (little understanding of what it means to be a sailor at any time) for sailors

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@nataliabirchall9093 Prime example of how one mistake led to fatal consequences. My 3rd ship, USS Kinkaid DD 965, was on deployment to the Western Pacific in 1989. The Officer Of The Deck (OOD) lost situational awareness while transiting the Malacca Straits causing a collision with a Singapore freighter. The Kinkaid's navigation officer was killed while asleep in his stateroom. 12 other Sailors were hurt. The Kinkaid sustained damage causing flooding because the bow of the freighter tore a 14 foot by 56 foot hole in the starboard side behind the helicopter hangar.

[@nataliabirchall9093]

Wow! That must have been awful for you all!

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@nataliabirchall9093 The ship's Captain was relieved of command. The OOD received a letter of reprimand. The investigation concluded a breakdown in communication between Combat Information Center (CIC), my workspace, and bridge caused confusion of where the ship was in regards to other shipping traffic in a narrow waterway. CIC is the nerve-center of the ship. Operations Specialists, such as myself operate ship's radar; surface and air search, assist in navigation and communicate with other ships via radio telephones.

[@user-io6pj8bz8h]

So you felt the need to confess your traitorous crimes against N.America. Sorry, we will never forgive you.

[@lbarnhill5493]

Greed & Incompetence. Two companions, present throughout all of human history.

[@cunard61]

Another Maritime Disaster you might consider adding to your list is the loss of the steamer Eastland on the Chicago River in 1915.

[@saturn722]

I’ve seen that video. I don’t think it’s the History Guy’s though. It’s like an hour long.

[@GrumpyMeow-Meow]

Part-time Explorer did an excellent video on the Eastland. As a born Chicagoan, I’ve seen numerous videos about it and this is one of the best.

[@Mondo762]

The first merchant ship I joined right out of high school in 1969 was a C-2 type, same as the Mount Hood. It was converted to containers. During my 30+ years in the US Merchant Marine I sailed on 3 ammo ships. Many time I visited the docks at Port Chicago, California. This is where an enormous explosion occured back in WW2. It also left a huge crater below where the ship once was and destroyed the dock and surrounding structures. It was said that it rained body parts for a long ways from the explosion.

[@cowboykelly6590]

😯 that's crazy ! I hope he does a show on that . Right here in California. Thanks for the info.. I'm gonna try and find a story about the Tragedy . 😔💔

[@cdfdesantis699]

Very well presented. One thing that makes these types of tragedies so sad is knowing that if one or 2 happenstances had occured differently, the tragedies would have been avoided.

[@normajeanmorrissey4459]

I am a student of the Civil War. I have studied the Sultana disaster thoroughly. It was a real tragedy brought about by greed and indifference to human lives. It is perhaps the saddest thing I have studied.

[@gmctech]

I'm an absolute sponge for a well told history lesson. My father is a retired history teacher and even after all these years he never ceases to feed my hunger for history lessons because he still searches daily for new knowledge 🤓🤓. I recently introduced him to this channel. He's ecstatic to have another source for history and he really enjoys seeing the passion and enthusiasm these lessons are told with.

[@NRH111]

Thank you for all these long form videos, I work overnights and I pop in an ear bud and listen to these. Thanks for keeping me sane!

[@djchaiwallah]

This is my new favorite channel to listen to while gardening.

[@FastEddy396]

Regarding the Sultana, we combat veterans are still treated this way to this day.

[@cowboykelly6590]

😔💔 Heartbreaking. Yeah... it distresses me to see(wonderful) Organizations like "wounded warriors" needing donations for something the GOVERMENT should be doing for these brave Men and Women hurt and maimed in action, where the government sent them, with the equipment the government gave them. The Vets of America and there Families should NOT WANT for ANYTHING . While many of these soldiers were overseas in a war ... many.. of there Families were on Welfare ! I didn't even know about that till I seen a show about it, on ... maybe .. Frontline? Much Respect Sir and Blessings to you and your family.

[@dennistate5953]

I am so sorry and thank you so much! From the bottom of my broken heart.

[@stevenpreston4597]

Teaching: What not to do. These stories are priceless. Support THG.

[@gavinkitchen1472]

All the British Soldiers on board the HMS Birkenhead commited the most loyal, selfless, brave, courageous, heroic - act ever. They would of all known the slow, torteous fate that was to come by following these orders. I have the utmost respect for VC & Medal of Honor Recopients, but this makes these Soldiers more courageous than VC & Medal of Honor Recipients. The level of valour that these British Soldiers displayed when they followed the Colonel's request to save Women & Children first, is far greater than any other act of valour I've read or heard about.

[@charliekezza]

To just stand there, my god, they were strong men. Wish people were like this still. To give their lives for those women and children. To give their lives for others they deserved medals for that. Those poor blokes stuck below deck.

[@cowboykelly6590]

😔💔

[@fraserihle4847]

People are still strong wtf are you on about?

[@MrPlankinton]

The French frigate Méduse and the tragedy of the Raft story would be an interesting story to research.

[@easygoing2479]

Made for a great painting.

[@gertjanmoens4188]

And a great album cover

[@stevecarte8520]

I want to take the time to thank you, The History Guy for your documentary on the Sultana. Nobody could have put it better. I salute you and our military for all you do and all you've done. God Bless you.

[@dennistate5953]

Amen!

[@stuartriefe1740]

Hail and well met, fellow students! Greetings from Connecticut! 😀

[@andresramirez8468]

Haven’t watched a THG video in a couple months because I wanted to give time for a ton of videos to be uploaded so I could binge, this alert was the one that got me started on said binge

[@jeffbangkok]

More great old HG episodes. Sometimes I miss the 5 minute ones. Good night

[@dockmasterted]

Nice cap collection!

[@WoodstockG54]

The land of opportunity at others expense. I do enjoy your channel. I always learn something. Wish I had you as a history teacher when I was in highschool in the late 60s, I might had completed school.

[@rockymountainlifeprospecti4423]

Thank you for keeping history alive, it gives me the opportunity to do the same History Guy.. well done! I will never forget the accidents of 1844 wow that really impacted the USA... actually all of the stories will be retold. Very well done.

[@chocolatefrenzieya]

For the Army folk that wonder why we squids get a little woozy every time Ft. Hood is mentioned... xC

[@JWSitterley]

Thank you History Guy for this very moving, informative, precarious and dangerous segment(s) of maritime history. May God hold them gently! ⛵⚓

[@DavidAMoore]

Wow! Some of these maritime disasters should be made into movies.

[@dougeldredge]

i was in the navy, fire was our devil, we trained daily!

[@RetiredSailor60]

Thanks for your service Shipmate. OS1 USN Retired here

[@saturn722]

That Princeton story was quite the tale. Never heard of that connection to the civil war as a specific cause to the war. Was that just Grant’s opinion or is it a widely held belief shared by CW scholars?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I think it is at least not uncommon for historians to connect the War with Mexico to the US Civil War, as expansion of slavery in the southwest territories was the key issue in the 1860 election.

[@raggytigger217]

Birkenhead Drill..... omg, those poor soldiers, so very brave and made of stronger stuff than most people in our time, it's a very emotional story of unbridled honor 😢

[@legalvices]

Some good stories in the collection!

[@jameskrupka5105]

I’ve literally watched hundreds of your videos! Hope you’re doing well. You do these videos w an actual historian perspective where you don’t insert your political or social beliefs… just tell the story and I love that. 🫡 to you. I’ll give ya a watch as long as you’re doing em!

[@NavigatEric]

Outstanding material.

[@0thers1d3]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you!!!

[@daveragone6563]

I've recently discoverer your channel and subscribed. Fabulous content presented with genuine interest and personality. I am not a history buff, but your presentations are must see and incredibly interesting. You need a network show!

[@Gera-N-Silas]

In your closing about the Sultana disaster, one could easily see how heartbroken you are speaking of the horrors that those poor veterans faced! You Sir are an excellent Historian and certainly a very good man! My hat is off to you and Thank you.

[@a.mathis9454]

Some how I missed this episode, until now. 😢

[@glencrandall7051]

Fascinating stories. Some I knew of some not. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@TerribleShmeltingAccident]

Absolutely love your passion!

[@cattandneil1504]

This was a great video! Thanks for the info!

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Vicksburg is a spot on the map where they legalized gambling. They have antebellum houses there that have cannon shot still in the floor boards from Grant's seige.

[@reggierico]

Great compilation! I would love to see you do a post on the sinking of the SS America, 'The Ship of Gold'. It's an amazing story and would fit in your channel quite well.

[@tommyhemlock7915]

Needs a volume 2 to cover such disasters as the Wilhelm Gustloff, MS Estonia, The Herald of Free Enterprise, The Empress of Ireland and Costa Concordia.

[@dziban303]

The trend of naming ammunition ships after volcanoes is excellent, as is naming fleet oilers after rivers

[@johnmoran4469]

Great channel. This man tells a great story.

[@denysephenix2349]

thanks for this informative video.. i am subscribing as I enjoy American History..

[@bartsanders1553]

"I begin to regard the death and mangling of a couple thousand men as a small affair, a kind of morning dash-and it may be well that we become so hardened." -William Tecumseh Sherman

[@cowboykelly6590]

😔💔

[@dennistate5953]

Try Twain: "The Damned Human Race."

[@pooryorick831]

Wow. I was not familiar with some of these. And they all were historically significant. How did I get through so much history without learning about these events? Makes me wonder.

[@affordablewebsiterescue]

The story of the Birkenhead was my favorite. Brave men all.

[@laserbeam002]

I absolutely love this channel. I have binge watched it....more than once. Thank you for posting.

[@dcmoore8937]

What i don’t understand, why put a Commercial right when the story Climax is ready to start? I’m sure it is a UBeeTuBee policy and not the program, but it’s like they don’t want you to watch the show!

[@handsomeblackman255]

I remember reading this in highschool. I read the part about the soldiers that slept by the boiler for warmth and thought what a horrible way to go.

[@ZachMcFroggie]

Very interesting! Thank you for the video.

[@brianforry5524]

Awesome production sir.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Thank you HG for these very informing and interesting videos of disasters at sea.The great earthquake of san Francisco would be a great video.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Much if the story of the earthquake and fire is covered in this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqnFi5-IqtRsg6s

[@ChiefMac59]

@15.51 you misstated the Birkenhead had AIR tight - but was incorrect - they were WATER tight compartments What is strange is that I know of all these events.

[@davidcolley7714]

Pedant

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Correct, watertight. I apologize for the error.

[@dennistate5953]

​@@TheHistoryGuyChanneldetails...who, friend, tells this better? And yes i know, you're smart.❤

[@joecombs7468]

For years after the sinking of the Birkenhead, having women & children evacuate a ship before the men was referred to as the "Birkenhead drill."

[@stacyjourdain4435]

Thx you're the best

[@lilwobblywade6324]

How many of these do we have to watch before we receive our Masters? Lol.Thank you sir!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey History Guy 🤓 👋 the 1st story you looked like Bob Backlund!

[@jb-vb8un]

maybe a bit of SLIM PICKENS ala DR STRANGELOVE .... "gonna git them bombay doors open"

[@jamesmiller7211]

I live in Upshur County TX, named after Abel P Upshur the Secretary of State..

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks

[@yamato0965]

Hope to visit the Sultana Disaster Museum next month.

[@dennistate5953]

Please report back here!❤

[@yamato0965]

@@dennistate5953 Unfortunately, a total washout. It's a small place that opens at irregular hours and you need to contact them sometimes to arrange an opening on certain weekends. Their message box was full so we couldn't reach them. We waited out front for a while but no good. The owner (?) did send an email of apology.... Good afternoon, We are sorry we did not get to your message yesterday! If you are still in town, our director Melody and I are in the museum doing some work today, and we would be happy to open it up to show you around. Otherwise, please let us know when you plan to come back to town, and we would love to have you visit then. Best, Wyly Bigger Projects Director Sultana Historical Preservation Society 😭

[@mcfrenchfry2196]

Awsome History here THG I didn’t know most of these! Amazing. We are Babies in 2023 vs 1800 society. 🇺🇸

[@Mctabbycat]

Finally a compilation

[@NightShade1161]

I remember❤ I will always remember,, this absolute tragedy!!

[@andrewince8824]

The Birkenhead demonstrates why the British Army is so good. Duty comes before the self and nothing but perfect conduct is good enough.

[@TranscendianIntendor]

History frightens me since I discover so many stories about men and women and children dying through no fault of their own. Overwhelmed. When courage and intelligence the right tools, all of it and still nothing is enough and you die. Courage is not enough.

[@tomwarner2468]

That Sultana sinking affected hillsdale county, Michigan,where I live. There's a monument in the courthouse grounds, in hillsdale!

[@RCButterfly]

I don't know if I am late to the game here but I would love to hear about all of the caps Mr. History Guy has on the wall behind him. Does anyone know if he has a video on his channel about the different caps, the age or era they come from and what the different emblems stand for? I find the changes in military uniform fascinating (I hate to use the term "fashion" but changes in ornamental military garb often has interesting stories behind them, like changes in materials like wool to cotton or polyester fabrics).

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

There are several videos available on different hats in the collection. Part of the perks of being a member on YT or a patron on Patreon are some insider looks at the hats, as well.

[@usedscar]

I am wondering if the reason why so many big ship disasters don't get into the public memory is due to the fact Maritime issues are considered covered by the Navy or Maritime laws so we assume it's being delt with?

[@justinw8512]

This man is super cool.

[@1pottercounty]

Well done Lance…

[@alanmoffat4454]

HISTORY IS ALWAYS HERE SOMEWHERE SO WE DO REMEMBER WHATEVER HAPPENS SO WE LEARN NOT TO REPEAT IT 😮.

[@lorizambrana-mcintosh7049]

Dude. No need to shout! I’m impressed enough with the content; it makes you sound like one of those over the top early newsreels

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Please do one on the Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886! City of Heroes is a good book about it with many witness accounts.

[@michaelwalsh2805]

Please look up the fire and sinking of the Vanderbilt designed Lexington. You might find it interesting

[@mauricedavis2160]

Three things in history that are covered ad nauseam...Hitler, Titanic and Jack the Ripper... pretty sure other stuff happened 🤔

[@Craig-wp3pz]

Intro looking very upmarket Mr H G 🎆 👀 👏 👍

[@alanfaulkner6329]

Seventy-nine years ago today, the most catastrophic maritime disaster in human history occurred. On January 30, 1945, the Soviet submarine S-13, under the command of Captain Alexander Marinesko, torpedoed the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German military transport ship, which had been repurposed for evacuating more than 10,600 German war refugees from the eastern parts of the Reich across the Baltic Sea. This devastating attack led to the tragic loss of an estimated 9,600 lives, including more than 5,000 children.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally Giddy up

[@Mike-DuBose]

It’s rare to find someone who has achieved your level of success but has been able to stay so humble and true to themselves. It’s a quality of yours that deserves a celebration in itself. Congratulations on your continued success. I’m privileged to get to watch you reach your goals!

[@mustavogaia2655]

nice graphics. the camera angle looks better.

[@LastAvailableAlias]

Good to see Bill Nye has a youtube channel

[@stuartriefe1740]

Hey C. In Sin City, greetings. I know you enjoy Prof. Of Rock, did you see Runaway Train? Dave P. Didn’t look so good in the interview… kind of uncomfortable to watch… Always great to bump into you at THG and POR!

[@zegotashalom3881]

History Guy could you please do a story on the USS Missouri crossing the Artic Circle in November of 1946. Northern Domain of the Polar Bear, so many different stories and mystery surrounds this action ordered by President Trumann, some say it was to check on the Russians and I even heard they checked on UFO? What is the true story. Thanks and God Bless.

[@glyngriffin8260]

The Sultana? Are they going to try and bring her to the surface? The Raisin of the Sultana!

[@cowboykelly6590]

This was on an episode of... THE RIFFLEMAN. With johnny Crawford and Chuck Connors . It had my favorite actor in it.. ROYAL DANO .He's looking for his son and thought Johnny was his long lost son, who actually died on that ship accident on the Mississippi , but the baby boys body was never found only the mommas body was found. 🤠🖖 ♨️

[@AWBepi]

Love ya bra...but where's the excitement? So maintained and polished, I miss the exuberance. But still and all your work is the best on the net. Thank you!

[@whoever6458]

Never go to sea, especially not in a boat, because ship happens.

[@Vastindice]

Cast iron becomes brittle when heated.

[@MrBurritoMan]

What about the Honda Point Disaster? The location is now called "Destroyer rock" because of this incident from 1923

[@brianuphoff8945]

Love your videos. In this case I must correct you, unless I heard you wrong, perhaps you said, "worst maritime disaster in US history"? Obviously, the MV Wilhelm Gustloff, in 1945, being 5x worse than the paddle-wheeler or 4x worse than the Tetanic.....almost 3x both of them combined with 9000 souls+ lost, and perhaps, the famous "Amber Room", as well. Maybe, you have even done a short on this? If not, it's deserving I assure you.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I have not yet done an episode on the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustav. I don't know, however, how it would be called a US disaster.

[@brianuphoff8945]

Quite right, not American, German, and not just German, Nazi German, but it is a fact, the worst Maritime disaster in history belongs to them, and a tragic event, perhaps only 10% of the dead were military. They were children, women, and old people. Whose lives were stuffed closed by history. Perhaps there were no Anne Franks on board, but people in fear for their lives, crowded on-board. Many dozens of "candy-stripers" young teenage girls were crammed in the pool area, and nearly all were lost. Many other similar stories. I'd suggest a tragic similar aspect exists between the paddle-wheeler and the Gustav, and that is Hopes Dashed. Think of an Andersonville releasee and your on the way home, what are you thinking about, and then BOOM! You're trying to escape the Reds, you're a young widow with 5 children, you, and your kinder make it on board, you finally settle in, and relax, and BOOM! Are not both incidents nearly exactly the same? Perhaps that is the angle from which the vista is focused on which I ponder?

[@kortjohn]

There's no way in hell I would do any of this for modern American women. Theyd probably not even make it on the Lifeboat taking too many selfies

[@williamjones3462]

I know you have to make decisions on what to leave out. I expected the 1947 explosion to be included. Maybe in another video.

[@carolinemarierafaellevanhu1740]

🙏

[@TheMrgoodmanners]

i'm suprised thehistoryguy didn't mention anything about the zong ship disaster

[@minnesbanks8]

The sad truth is that now there are people who want the descendants of those soldiers to pay reparations to the people they died, trying to save, or at least the descendants thereof. People need to understand history to truly understand how great this country has been, even with all of its mistakes.

[@donalddarbonne779]

Wow! My life ain't that bad.

[@johnnymiller3684]

"The Best Of: Nautical Disasters" is a pretty funny title. Lol

[@thomasb1889]

Have you ever looked at the Edmund Fitzgerald which went down in Lake Superior in 1975.

[@noelmcgarry456]

Behind you is a slouch the hat the badge on the fold rim of the the hat is a type I can recognized is isn't the rising sun worn by Australian soldiers

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

While the glare of the lights is somewhat odd, it is a standard rising sun badge.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

Halifax Harbour?

[@johnhenderson131]

Hey guy, I too love history. You mentioned some vessel called the Titanic,, yes, I do believe I’ve heard the name before, it sounds familiar! 0:36 I know very little about steam boilers but in the case of the Sultana, it seems suspicious that 3 boilers would explode at the same time unless rapidly subjected to very cold water…even then…3 simultaneously?!? Great channel H.G. I can certainly understand that Lincoln’s assassination would overshadow all other news at the time.

[@dennistate5953]

I both dread and desire for this to end...sweet Jesus!