The Tragic Loss of the Daniel J. Morrell

[@BigOldBoats]

Thank you for watching! This is one of the most emotionally intense stories I've ever covered on this channel. I'm glad to be able to share it with all of you.

[@eveapple4928]

Thank you for another great story. Keep up the good work, we so enjoy your films ❤

[@FarmCat777]

This was a perfect one for Easter Day! 💙⚓💦 Keep it up - you make a difference 🌷🐇 I'm from Wisconsin & The Great Lakes and the plant the farmer is showcasing is our Northern Tobacco grown for chew & cigar binding although he's smoking Southern Tobacco 😆 we also had the same chickens & cattle you show, awww. As a kid, I used to stand on the desolate shore and pump my arm asking these big lake freighters to blow their horns - and they would!!! BAAAAAAAAAAAW!!! 😻 This is my dad's first Easter in Heaven and this episode was also perfect for that as I'm headed back to Lake Superior from Alaska to visit his grave for the first time💕 He was a Tobacco farmer and his other biz was named after Lake Superior ⚓ I remember as a kid my mom wouldn't let us go near the shore because the water was so cold and said only my dad could go down because he wanted to wash his hair. So I carefully watched him, wondering why it was so dangerous, and he came back saying it was very cold!!! Happy Easter! 🌎

[@johnredcorn2476]

I once made love on a boat

[@lordcantiismyname]

Great video but the captions got out of sync a little ways in

[@BigOldBoats]

@@lordcantiismyname Fixed! 🥴

[@elanthys]

The last run of the season was so often the last run period, really shows how violent these November gales can be. And yet every year more had to sail off again late on the season, for a last run ordered by men in suits safe in their offices. Tragic.

[@plbmbbmhb]

Reminds me of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

[@roselightinstorms727]

Very true

[@bunch_o_racket]

yeah and the "investigation" sounded like it only involved the structural integrity of the ship. completely ignoring the lack of moral integrity of its owners

[@leonardbrookes6936]

​@@bunch_o_racketwhich is how it should be. Why should morality, or the lack of it, be brought into an investigation as to how and why a ship sank? Is morality brought into train crashes? Air crashes? Industrial fires or explosions? No it's not. So why into a ship sinking?

[@elanthys]

@@leonardbrookes6936 Negligence, deferred maintenance, and written or non-written practices mandated from above that endanger crews are definitely under the scope of investigations, as they should be. Maybe it’s not expressed as “morality” per se but the responsibilities and, as the case may be, the failings of the people in charge are contributing factors that are often mentioned in disaster inquiries of all the kinds you mention sea air and land, and have been for a long time.

[@fischerlegault719]

I only live a few miles from the wreck and when the water is clear enough, if you drive your boat over it you can see the ere shadow from the surface, kinda bone chilling.

[@eveapple4928]

Very spooky!

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

Is it diving spot?

[@lt1nut]

Ahhh, the one "benefit" of the Zebra Muscle - the invasive "bottom of the food chain" in/on/of our Great Lakes.

[@robertmcmullen7930]

Excellent Job, I was fortunate enough to hear the story from Mr Hale when he was curator at the Ashtabula Maritime and Surface Transportation Museum. Truly sad and inspirational.

[@miapdx503]

Wow. I can't imagine hearing his first hand account...what an amazing man.

[@leehuff2330]

I remember reading a newspaper story about Mr. Hale, but sadly I never made it to Ashtabula to visit the museum or possibly hear his story before he was reunited with his shipmates for eternity.

[@janellapalm1687]

I cannot emphasize enough how flawless the presentation of this story is: the footage, music, narration and transitions create the eeriest vibe and elevates the feelings of dread and loss in a way that I've seen few achieve on this platform. Incredible work

[@kittybitts567]

Yes, I agree! This man makes excellent videos. They really draw you into the story and the plight of these men weighs heavily on your heart. He's an excellent story teller!

[@TailsWorries4YourMentalHealth]

I was just thinking the same thing, very well said. The presentation of this man's stories are phenomenal and some of the best on the platform, and most definitely the best in this genre.

[@brycewilmoth3515]

Please do a video on the francisco morazan it’s wrecked off of south manitou island in make Michigan

[@TThomas-si7yn]

Wonderfully stated, sir!

[@joerivers1768]

Everything was good up to 12:50 where it showed a Huron Cement Boat loading up in Alpena - I know the boats and the dock, I was there.

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

The Daniel J Morrell is something straight out of my nightmares. One of my biggest (and most irrational fears) is to be on a large vessel that is breaking up in deep water. I don’t know why, but the larger the vessel the more it fills me with dread. It would scare the absolute bejesus out of me to wake up to see such a large vessel torn in half. I can only imagine the horror of seeing the stern still travelling on to its doom like a ghost ship. I was half expecting to hear that he saw his crew mates staring back at him in silent horror.

[@tomfields3682]

Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours...

[@jtjames79]

That neckbeard is going to haunt my dreams.

[@parkertitle1923]

‘the larger the vessel the more it feels me with dread.’ Maybe it’s because larger ships are more likely to survive storms, so for a storm to break up a large ship it has to be very powerful.

[@lt1nut]

@@tomfields3682 Many have claimed that it is, *was*, His love that brought them through those very same minutes that turned into hours for them, waves of water or not, and that His love never disappeared nor disappears and definitely did not cause the tragedy, whatever situation they were in.

[@P_RO_]

@@lt1nut It's all a matter of perspective. The all-knowing and all-powerful God knew the ship would be wrecked with the rest dead, but did nothing to prevent any of the tragedy. If you willingly did the same to your children you'd be called a horrible monster, not a 'loving' parent. So God could have prevented this but didn't, and the only conclusion I can come to is that either He didn't care, or that perhaps He isn't the all-knowing or all-seeing omnipotent figure we attribute Him to being. So whatever His reasons for this occurring are, He is responsible for it all and there's no point in praising Him for the saving of one among the many He callously let die. It's not a nice or pleasant perspective to have, only the unvarnished truth. Do with it what you will.

[@Aaron-id2gz]

Really glad to see the great lakes shipwrecks getting their time in the spotlight. I grew up in a family of divers who spent lots of time searching Lake Huron for undiscovered wrecks in the 80's and early 90's. I met Dennis several times and can attest to his harrowing story. I believe he wrote a book called "Sole Survivor" that is a very good read. My Mother was pregnant with me while diving the bow of the Morrell. So I guess I've been there too. Great video!

[@tundrawomansays694]

Cool story, thanks!

[@eveapple4928]

Yes technically you’ve been to the wreck! V cool

[@IcanDriveIt]

Your mom didn’t know it, but she became a submarine in that moment 😂

[@Oakleaf700]

@@IcanDriveIt A one-man Sub!

[@michaelsinger4638]

I cannot imagine the horror Dennis Hale went through. And having to live the rest of his life knowing all his other shipmates didn’t make it as well. Between this and the Carl D. Bradley, these Great Lakes cargo ships seemed like they had a major design flaw.

[@MrGoesBoom]

Yeah, the owners and their greed

[@tundrawomansays694]

@@MrGoesBoomTouché, sir!

[@awildjared1396]

Those late season runs in the storms is what did many of them in, not just the Bradley and the Morrel, the great storm of 1913 sank 9 ships and damaged or destroyed 40 more. Also consider the strain these boats were under, loading and unloading cargo on pretty much a weekly basis for 9 months out of the year, plus scraping docks, and pushing through the notoriously bad weather of the lakes can take its toll, especially as they age. The Bradley was 31 years old when it split, and the Daniel J Morrell was 60. As for Dennis Hale, he went through something no being should ever have to endure, and he deserved every last handshake of respect he ever received after 38 hours on that dinky little life raft.

[@Brock_Landers]

Not to mention what the crew on the Edmund Fitzgerald must've gone through in their last moments. Obviously all of those men were lost, and whatever happened must've been immediate and catastrophic due to there being no mayday call, but it must've been horrible.

[@Thicc_Cheese_Dip]

The techniques used to quickly make steel before 1948 led the steel to be notoriously brittle. Combined with the fact that freshwater reacts much more violently and brutally than saltwater to storms, and it's a perfect combination for the worst possible outcomes.

[@CoolGames012]

That “vision” is something else, all the feeling you know there is love, happiness, and seeing your family and crew mates, some you’ve never seen before. It’s incredible and emotionally intense just hearing that description. It is incredible and insane how few people know of it compared to the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@herrprepper2070]

I was a young sailor, serving aboard the USCGC Mackinaw at the time. We were removing stranded crewmen from the grounded German freighter “NORDMEER” in Thunder Bay (off Alpena, Michigan) when ordered to assist in the search for the Morrell. I manned a searchlight for part of the night and can tell you, the seas were horrendous… black, windblown, raging… with blankets of fog. Rest in Peace, mariners.

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

I served on the USS numbnutz one we rounded cape horn and faced 2 cyclones and a typhoon that merged onto a super cyclone typhoon with 200ft waves the numbnutz only survive because the crews training and that captains prayer

[@PatrickBaptist]

Unless they were born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no rest, but upon death an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth, better get to know who God really is, most people believe in a false christ if any at all.

[@Bvm513]

OK, so I see that some people are skeptical of the story which I do think it has a high chance of being realistic because the “NORDMEER” did crash were he said it did within two weeks of the Daniel J. Morrell but, I don’t have a way of approving that he was actually there so it would actually make sense for that to actually happen, but we might not be able to determine if he was there when it happened.

[@Bvm513]

So the “NORDMEER” crash happened on November 19 1966 and the USCGC mackinaw has official documents of it being at the crash site

[@herrprepper2070]

@@Bvm513 In looking at some old newspaper clippings… They verify my account. The Mackinaw was called to assist when the Nordmeer ran aground. We removed most of the crew, then returned to Cheboygan. We were called back when the same storm that took the Morrell forced the remaining Nordmeer crew to abandon ship. CO of the Mackinaw was Captain George Winstein…. XO was Alva Carbonette. Ltcdr or Cdr.. don’t remember. “The 471-ft Nordmeer was bringing a load of rolled steel from Hamburg to Chicago in November 1966, when her crew mistakenly tried to pass a buoy on the wrong side, ending up on a shoal north of Thunder Bay Island. The ship filled and settled to the bottom, with the upper works exposed. Most of the crew was removed by the Coast Guard, but the officers stayed with the cold, dark ship to oversee salvage operations. A few days later, they were struck by a terrible storm, the storm that broke the Daniel J. Morrell in half, and they radioed for rescue. The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw was unable to approach close enough due to the shallow reef, so an extremely brave helicopter crew from Selfridge Field took removed the crew over multiple trips. The ship was never recovered, but many artifacts made their way into collections around the lakes, with a large number of items now on display in the Sanctuary Heritage Center. Portions of the vessel remained visible above the surface for years, finally succumbing to ice and wave action only a few years ago.” www.michiganpreserves.org/thunder-bay-underwater-preserve/

[@davepenn9181]

I was lucky enough hear Mr. Hale tell his story in person at the Minnesota History Center in the mid-1990s. He was quite a character.

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

I get so sad when a "big old boat" is sold for scrap. I smiled when you said she broke away and sank. I thought it was a more fitting end for her. Great video, please keep up the excellent work.

[@awildjared1396]

Yes, watching the Manistee, Ojibway, and Crapo get ripped apart in Port Colborne over the last 2 years has made me cry more than once.

[@Madhouse_Media]

I have seen that photo of Daniel J. Morrell (the guy) a few times. Never noticed the neckbeard until you pointed it out. Good Lord. 🤣

[@grmpEqweer]

His wife let him go out looking like that. I bet she hated him.

[@judyjudy51]

@@grmpEqweer 😂

[@Ebikelover]

I couldn't imagine being on a ship & having it snap in two and sink. then jumping into freezing water not knowing if help would come in time.

[@michaelfrost4584]

I must say as an ex military sailor, the early engineers have a lot to answer for. To make such long narrow ships with no give makes me think that they never been to sea at all during a storm. And the super tankers of the 1960s and 1970s lost in bad storms , never to be seen of again. R.I.P You brave souls.

[@kittybitts567]

Another excellent video, thank you for telling their story so well and keeping the memory of Dennis Hale and the men who lost their lives on the Daniel J. Morrell alive. God bless all their souls. May they rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.

[@jenniferlevine5406]

This is such sad story. The dangers these men lived with just to make a living is unspeakable. Thank you for honouring and memorializing them in this way. Wonderful video and I am totally captivated by the footage you include. Great job!

[@jewelbox21]

I have been a subscriber since the start of your big boat documentary content and the start of you making KZbin a serious career, and I feel like this is one of the best pieces of work you have created. I never comment on anything, but I feel you should really be proud of yourself. I hope you continue making great documentaries far into the future!

[@roede101]

Few stories I've heard are as painfully heartbreaking as Dennis Hale's. You told it so well in this video. I was hoping you'd do a video on the Morrell and you exceeded my expectations !

[@TXGRunner]

Very well done. I almost feel guilty watching these mini-docs of tragedies, but I do like the stories of survival and overcoming odds.

[@farfle]

OMG, BOB! I am a mess after watching this! I had prepared a smart ass comment when I saw your ad for your sponsor, but there's no way I can leave it now. Tears are still in my eyes. This is possibly your best vid yet! Thank you so much for this and for all you do!

[@jetsons101]

Great narration and information. You put so much into the backstories of the people involved in the story, many videos just give facts and figures without even showing the faces of the people involved. Thanks for your fine work in keeping the memories and history alive.

[@lindan2836]

So sad. The greed. Bigger bigger, longer. More more more. One glance at that thing and one could see that it was going to break in two. Those poor man......

[@awildjared1396]

Yes, cooperate greed was a death sentence for many over the years, as for the ship... there are much worse examples, like the 1000 footers of today.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

And yet many didn't. It's all about the weather they were ordered to sail through.

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

​@@randomlyentertaining8287they are bulk carriers one of the weakest ship design, metal box with thin walls, oil tankers are much tougher they have many inner walls

[@HandyMan657]

You've done a wonderful job telling a sad story, thank you once again. Take care, keep safe.

[@tundrawomansays694]

Your research and presentation are consistently thorough/in depth and well presented. I was delighted to see a new one this morning (the Easter Bunny came!) Many thanks for all your great content.

[@MadMax-bq6pg]

Survivor guilt is a huge part of stress in the psychologically assaulted. I interviewed an uncle who had spent time as a prisoner of war for assignments. About the last thing he said was “how come I got to live when so many of my mates died”? That was 50 years after the event.

[@PaulB-17]

A truly harrowing story, but beautifully told. Amazing production!

[@Halfstep2024]

Spectacular storytelling man bravo!

[@davidnelson257]

Incredible. Amazing story. I grew up in Michigan but know so little about shipping on the Great Lakes. You have an amazing narrative voice. I wish you the best and hope your channel continues to grow.

[@calebworm7855]

I was born 60 miles from where this ship sunk. Heard this story 1000 times, you sir told it perfectly.

[@gayprepperz6862]

Excellent, and I do mean EXCELLENT presentation, with great video footage that hasn't been used over and over again. Not knocking the work of others, and unique footage can be hard to come by. Your in-depth presentation gave me a different perspective than the one I have developed over the years. Thank you for your hard work!

[@greenthing99100]

Always excellent, detailed and compassionate. I can't afford to support the channel financially, but I hope that my supportive words go some way to compensate.

[@Bob-b7x6v]

As a Michigander who grew up within spitting distance of ore boats, I love your channel.

[@jeffreycavallo7755]

Wow!! I am blown away! that was one of the most emotional videos I have seen, spent 30 years in Coast Guard, although I was an aviator my heart goes out to those who serve at sea!! Thank you for sharing this emotional tale

[@j-man6001]

wow, that out of body experience he went through was just incredible!

[@pieyedapple]

Utterly compelling and haunting...thank you, so much, for the compassionate treatment of this case!

[@langer24106]

I am grateful to have met Dennis Hale at a museum in Ashtabula Ohio in the early 2000s. He recounted his story to us firsthand . Afterward, we bought his book Sole Survivor. It was amazing to hear of his ordeal from the person who experienced it.

[@farfle]

I looked for the book on Amazon, and to my surprise they list the date of publication as January 1, 1709!!!

[@alexfogg381]

I have to say that I welled up with tears when you recalled Dennis Hale's time on the raft, Truly an amazing story of Human Resolve and fortitude against all odds.

[@miapdx503]

Your gift at story telling is impeccable. This is a fascinating one. The desperation and loneliness of Hale, cursing God for his horrific situation...so raw, so real...you really did an amazing job on this. I almost cried. 🌹⚓

[@tmayer0009]

Thanks for sharing this with us @BigOldBoats. Wonderful video

[@SANTANA89100]

Deeply inspiring, illuminating and elucidating the core meaning of life : LOVE . Thank you for sensitizing your viewers to the deeper meaning of life. LOVE YOU BOB 💓

[@scofab]

Well done once again, and thanks as always.

[@misterflibble6601]

A very compelling and moving story, outstandingly produce and compassionately narrated. Thanks for posting this!

[@KonwTheTrut]

Your video are getting me through a tough time brother. I love this content. Your voice is perfect. Just thanks for covering all this. Been going to bed to this video this past week

[@Oakleaf700]

I too love the voice for this Narrator. Very soothing.

[@RiffeLivingLife]

His story of his count of seeing his dead relatives and seeing heaven or the after life was surreal. Thank you for sharing this

[@AndrewHarris-kr2br]

Late that night the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw out of Cheboygan Michigan, was recalled to rescue the German ship Nordmeer, which had gone aground a week before. We had gone down there to take off the crew, but left a salvage crew of 8 so no one could claim it as abandon. The storm that blasted across Lake Huron was pounding it, and had broken it in half - there was a 6-8 foot break on the deck forward of the bridge - and the crew was in great danger of ending up being swept off the shoal it was grounded on. I was the quartermaster of the mid watch (12am - 4am), and we were taking huge rolls. We had to tack going down as the troughs were parallel to the shore. The Mackinaw was 75 feet wide - like a football cut in half length wise - and could take tremendous rolls that would capsize narrower ships, but the CO, Capt George Winstein, knew that trying to stay in the troughs all the way there was too dangerous even for us. When we changed course we took 45 degree rolls (NOT a sea story). Sometime during the watch we heard someone begin repeatedly calling for the Morrell, but got no responses. Then the call was for anyone who might have seen it. Again, no response. Our goal was to get to the Nordmeer to rescue the salvage crew, and as the calls continued with no response, we on the bridge just looked at each other, pretty much knowing what that meant. With the last minute help from a CG helicopter we got the 8 men off and took them to shore. We then immediately pulled out to go look for the Morrell. Eventually we heard the Mr Hale had been found, and our orders were to begin looking for any others or debris, of which we found none. Eventually we were cut loose and sailed back to Cheboygan. The next week we were sent out again to search the lake floor for wreckage using our depth finder. Eventually it was found. After I got out of the CG I spent ten years as a long haul trucker, a really adventurous life in those days before regulations tightened up and way before electronic surveillance of trucks, but that night of the Nordmeer and Morrell 58 years ago still sits in my memory like it just happened. Many thanks to this site for telling the story.

[@herrprepper2070]

You and I must have been on the Mac together. The only QMs I remember were Chesborough, Chief Rinedollar… and Jones.

[@davidcroney3]

Thanks

[@BigOldBoats]

Thank you!

[@pierceklinke13]

The section at 27:50 was so beautifully done

[@matthewnelson9338]

I met dennis when i was a child signed his book for me super nice dude it was a honor to meet the man

[@Straswa]

Great work BoB. RIP to all those brave souls and condolences to their families.

[@gabrielwatson7721]

Such a tragic, but beautiful survival story. You're absolutely one of my favorite KZbin channels. Thank you for your dedication. 💯

[@ChanceThomas-bl1hc]

Another amazing job, thank you!!

[@amywright2243]

Long time fan of the channel and just want to say you have the perfect voice for these fascinating documentaries. Love learning so much from your videos!

[@Gb_cole]

A very good rendition of this story.

[@MisterSplendy]

You…..are one HECK of a storyteller. I’m glad I subscribed sone time ago.

[@jerrymachusak3216]

These stories are very well done. Thank you!

[@anthonyward335]

Thank you , this was brilliantly put together and very moving Good to see a brief shot of the Hulets in action I hope the two remaining ones in pieces don’t just end up been scraped best wishes from the UK

[@sierrawhiskey5144]

The one thing I'm having trouble with, is with the short term time you're bobbing in a freshwater lake, that its ill advised to consume water from it for the sake of survival? I know its a bit dirty with pullution and maybe some algeal blooms, but... Its not able to be consumed to stave off dehydration? I can understand hypothermia being a thing, but dehydration?

[@francisjohnification]

Very nice production/presentation. Good to see so much original historic footage rather than the usual cgi that many others use. Thanks.

[@Five0h_Fin]

Incredible, I was in tears by the end of the video, very well done !!!

[@sandic3892]

Oh my goodness! This one made me cry. So sad😢 May they all rest in peace

[@kevinhoffman6592]

I remember that. I knew her sister was damaged n was lucky to survive the storm . Didn't know she was sold for scrap n broke into in the Atlantic. Excellent video . RIP Dennis n fellow ship mates .

[@livinglikeananimal]

I appreciate the work you put into telling the stories of these sailors. The story of Dennis Hale and the horror he lived through sticks in my head a lot and I could not even begin to imagine what it felt like for the rest of the crew, especially those trapped on the stern as it galloped off into the night. It's a story that deserves to be told, and something that should not have been allowed to happen in the first place if the companies would just let their ships stay in port until the weather calmed down... I'm not sure what happened but the subtitles from 2:50 to about 4:00, and again at 6:55 through 11:25 do not match the audio - it looks like the subtitles for the chapters got mixed up and they kind of went all over the place, like they glitched in the upload process or something. Even with that aside - I really do appreciate that you include subtitles for your videos and they read so much nicer than the auto-generated ones! Thank you for all the work you do!

[@Sober1299]

It’s about 3 am, I’m At work alone, I watch your videos All the time while working, I’m finishing up , and the ending of the video, where the guy goes to heaven just made me Almost burst into Tears..but religious and spiritual myaelf I just almost couldn’t take It..bravo dude, bravo

[@roselightinstorms727]

RIP❤ your survival was a miracle🎉 think of love❤

[@jasoncs4514]

This one choked me up. Thank you for the top shelf content.

[@AndrewKnaus-ld5yr]

very good video. Thank you for sharing. I live south of Sandusky, the great lakes are in my blood.

[@BrentFrancis-h8o]

Thank you again. Wonderful work!

[@judyjudy51]

Amazing story. Loved the vintage footage and your soundtrack

[@shingerz]

What a story so sad to watch what a bloke to survive those conditions rip 🙏

[@Astronist]

Interesting account of Dennis Hale's near-death experience. Thank you for telling his story.

[@BigRockyD]

Rest easy Dennis. Hope your soul found peace after all the hell you lived with. Your crew was glad you made it.

[@santosguitar6744]

Hello. I really love your channel. Love the history and incredible stories. This one in particular really got to me. What an experience for that man. I'm am so glad to know of it. Thank you so much. Bless you.

[@DonBailey-od1de]

.I was signed on to the Daniel J morrell , in the hiring hall , but as i was waiting the G A Tomlinson needed a crew member or couldn't leave port , so i accepted being transferred from the Daniel J Monroe To the G A Thompson After trailing her a few weeks , a storm came so strong the sea gulls on the pier wouldnt fly as we , me and a friend came back off liberty , but only moved out of our way. We went behind an island that night and anchore , we got an SOS in the night and was part of the search party the next day.. Helicopters dropped smoke bombs wherever there was a dead body we saw two dead bodies float by the ship , As the coast guard pulled them on the cutter their arms were frozen and wouldn't fall , so laying on deck they hit them with a fire ax and pushed their arms down. Fair winds and following tide

[@Ci-D3]

Thanks for the video, it was great!

[@jeffreyallen9626]

These brave poor men what sorrow they had to go through God speed may they rest in peace with our father in heaven 🙏❤️😞

[@FXSTB-i]

Fantastic watch and very insightful. Thanks for the upload from Scotland ❤

[@lukethomas658]

You bring history to light and to life.

[@rokkovalkrye3127]

Thank you for another great video. Just discovered your channel and loving it!

[@TThomas-si7yn]

With compliments, I lost time watching this very excellent presentation. Subscribed, liked (obviously), and shared. After hearing that a ship had broken in two and the stern was missing...but then, it rose up again, with the lights still on, above the bow for a moment...that had me hooked. I could almost imagine that. Terrifying stuff. I admit to a certain degree of thalassophobia. It likely has something to do with the fact that I joined the Army, from a family of bubble-head sailors.

[@donfredette5189]

Great show as usual

[@ScarletTermite]

This is one of the best you’ve done.

[@died4us590]

Happy Easter, great job as always putting everything together. I agree that people need to be kind to one another. I'm 53, and when i was growing up, people respected one another, i blame technology for distancing people from life. That crew member Hall, i can relate to the near death thing, twice as a kid i nearly died from anaphylactic shock, and i was blue both time's my mom raced me to the ER, the dr. said i was lucky, but i say it was the grace of G-d. I nearly died 12 year's ago, and it was a miracle that i am here, and a lot goes through your mind, especially when it's you that is trying to end it. G-d bless.

[@TheGoddamnBacon]

Seems you still have a purpose here. Hopefully you've found it now.

[@mikeray1544]

The cold fresh.water has given good preservation, caught some dive videos of her engine spaces....amazing how " clean " they are.

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

Thank you for sharing. Ever since i first heard about Dennis’ story I’ve wanted to read more. What a terrible time he had to endure. But yet his story inspires me that no matter how bad things can be you can always come out on top. Recently I got his book and cannot wait to read it! Are you going to do a video on the Henry Steinbrenner?

[@AArdW01f]

The dude who survived Steinberner to go down on this ship while saving his shipmates. Rest easy, sailor. You are an absolute legend.

[@bennyd345]

Great job, Brad.

[@markthompson2776]

Had the pleasure of hearing him at shipwrecks and scuba sandusky ohio quite a few times and signed copies of his books he is sorely miss

[@Luvs2Troll]

Excellent work, yet again!

[@AnsleyKostreva]

I am dying to know what the video clip at 2 min 59 sec is of. There are several cylinders and coming out of the tops looks like sparks of molten metal?... Like big industrial roman candles / sparklers. Can anyone tell me what this is the workers are doing? I visited Cleveland recently and had a great view of the commercial shipping docks of Lake Erie, where I think I witnessed what is shown in this clip.

[@rredeyee2460]

Ashtabula Harbor just had the Cyahoga catch on fire while it was docked up for repairs. It's been there for awhile. My son and I look at from point park with binoculars while eating burgers. After-school routine 😊

[@joshuaryan1946]

A beautiful presentation!

[@psycho045]

Beautiful video - thank you!

[@patrickwatrin5093]

That footage of split house and superior though...... I've been to that exact spot and I can tell you that the lake seems as if it is unsurvivable in a boat,ship, whatever! When lake superior gets angry, I wouldn't want to be out there. The great lakes are really something

[@dragonclaws9367]

How do you build something so long not expecting it to hog or sag??

[@rottenroads1982]

6:37, I would like to know what music this is (and Yes, its the same music as in the SS Kaliyuga section of the video "5 Horrible Lake Huron Disasters" ).

[@mickmandela6995]

I actually met him at the Cleveland boat show one year! It was a one on one conversation he told me the whole story! At the time I didn’t know who he was! But after I thanked him for sharing his life story he was a great person god rest his soul

[@Bryanja81]

Great video. Love the dolphin surfacing in the waves. Lol.

[@Kroggnagch]

Is there a meter or something, some kind of gage or measuring device, which tells the captain the orientation of the rudder in contrast with how the steering wheel is positioned? There must be, right? I'm honestly asking because it has always been a question I've pondered on. Like, if the rudder and wheel were straight and in their default resting position, you could, in theory, turn the wheel 360° in either direction, and tho the wheel would appear to be in the correct position, the rudder would not be. There must be a gage which tells the pilot the orientation of the rudder vs the steering wheel because of the very reason I've just stated above, right? Gotta be... there's gotta be somethin... Edit: Mr.Big Old Boats, sir, would you consider doing a breakdown on the gages and meters and bells and whistles of the cargo ships and ocean liners of the era? Y'know, the 1890's-1920's or so, that era. I know I would watch such a video, especially if such video was made by you, Mr.Big Old Boats. Either way, thank you for all the wonderful videos you already have made for us, and the ones you ultimately will make for us before the end. They're truly great and clearly made with love for the craft and love for the ships presented. May God bless your heart and soul.😊

[@UncleHo5]

60 years on water... As a professional mariner (holding a Ch Engineer License) I m really amazed about this long life. These days a 25 years old ship is considered almost to the end of its life. I have sailed on 25 years old ships and is not easy to work on them, always pissing pipes, rust in hidden corners, equipment failures. Seafearering is not easy life going ashore in ports, being away from home 3-4-5 months, sometimes longer. My son turned 18 yo in July and I lost his anniversary by one day. Half of his life I was away. Please give a thought to all of us roaming in open sea to provide the world with goods or giving you a nice cruise in all exotic places around the world.