The Marchioness Disaster | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

"On the 19th of August, 1989, a large group of partygoers boarded the pleasure cruiser the Marchioness, for a moonlit jaunt along the Thames..."
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TRANSLATIONS:
► This video is also available in German ( • Das Marchioness Desast... )
SOCIAL MEDIA:
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Background
03:05 - The Marchioness Disaster
08:16 - The Aftermath
MUSIC:
► "Glass Pond" by Public Memory
► "Underworld" by Myuu
SOURCES:
► "Collision between aggregates dredger Bowbelle and passenger vessel Marchioness resulting in Marchioness sinking with loss of 51 lives" by Marine Accident Investigation Branch, published by Gov.uk, January 2015. Link: www.gov.uk/maib-reports/colli....
► "The Marchioness disaster: 30 years on" by RNLI Staff, published by RNLI.org, August 2019. Link: rnli.org/magazine/magazine-fe....
► "Marchioness disaster: Thames historic vessels 'still not modernised'" by BBC Staff, published by BBC News, August 2019. Link: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england....
► "Marchioness inquiry opens after 11 years" by Jeevan Vasagar, published by The Guardian, October 2000. Link: www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/o....
​​​​​​​#Documentary​​​​ #History​​​​​​​​​ #TrueStories​

[@shotgunwound]

The Bowbelle's captain's indifference to helping victims is purely an act of bastardry and evil. Im surprised he wasnt charged on this

[@pantherplatform]

Bastardom

[@christopherweise438]

If I've learned anything from the videos on this channel......it's that nobody is held accountable for serious loss of life tragedies.

[@xKillaMelxGaming]

@@christopherweise438 I noticed this too. It’s shameful.

[@xr6lad]

I’m surprised someone didn’t or still hasn’t knee capped him. People need to start taking justice into their own hands sometimes as justice is an a**e

[@rickrolled3666]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XLf6F9nL-kmcU Finally its here

[@kenjcm]

Even if the accident itself wasn't the fault of Henderson, the fact that he just said "I think I sank a boat, but I got places to be, peace out" and then left the scene without even attempting to rescue anyone and after being instructed to stay, that should be a chargeable offense right there...

[@susanowen1709]

Right? That was the most shocking thing about this entire incident, his complete lack of concern over literally running over a boatful of young people and just...going on about his business.

[@kenjcm]

@@susanowen1709 I feel like the only just outcome for him is if someone hit him with a car and he survives it with serious injuries but they just drive away and that person doesn't get in trouble at all for it...

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

So you reply to my comment, and those after you, decide to totally mitigate what is fact about the symptoms of severe shock, and you quote the man incorrectly too. He didn't say I've got places to be, peace out, he frankly went into automatic function for a moment, and lost his situational awareness completely, as you can in shock. I don't want to upset anybody, but just remember a time when you were told of the passing of a close loved one, how hazy things might have been for a time. When my Mother passed away aged just 53 suddenly, I was in that state for at least two months. I was alive, I remember it. I can't remember a single thing of 'life' that happened though. Autopilot. Thankfully neither a court, nor an enquiry looks to actively make anybody guilty. Two sides of the same story are told and a jury or a judge, or in this case the person who presided of an enquiry that was held a whole decade later. You have become judge, jury and executioner based upon a 10 minute video.

[@kenjcm]

@@stevenmacdonald9619 LMFAO, my quote was obviously a joke man, geebus... 🤦‍♂

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

@ghost mall If you have already decided that the Captains actions before, during and after were all consciously made decisions, and the result of nothing else, yes. Go back to the video and especially the diagram of both boats courses a moment before impact. First of all, the Marchioness is 'on the wrong side of the road.' Martime law travels on the opposite of our roads. Up on the right, and down on the left. Why was the Marchioness turning between the legs of a bridge, where it will have been almost certainly very dark, with the relatively light conditions on the Thames, turning suddenly. We were also shown that both bridges were set down and at the rear of both vessels, making forward views almost impossible from the standard position. We cannot question the Captain of the sunken ship, and of course, many of these answers are to questions that may well not have been asked, because it is very hard to take yourself down a channel which could possibly point to the most fatal errors being made by the young pleasure boat Captain. He is dead and cannot defend himself. One unspoken reason for the enquiry turning out as it did (could be) that a high blood alcohol level was found in the victim Captain, that would have worked as a quiet cushion for the fact the last error was the Bowbelle's Captain. A road analogy stops working at this point, because you hit the brakes and the vehicle stops. The Bowbelle has no brakes, and might not have had a powerful engine to produce reverse thrust, by throwing the control into reverse. Either way, when you spot something that close before impact, the heavier ship will take some time to stop, at least out from the bridge as was testified to, which in boat terms in not far at all. A fully loaded Supertanker takes an astonishing 14 minutes to bring to a stop, and that is an emergency stop too. If, one were to hit a much smaller vessel, at best it would still be 10 minutes, no matter what.

[@Softbr0]

These are excerpts are from a guardian article regarding the case. “The captain, now 42 and still a serving seaman, admitted misleading police about the number of people on lookout duty that night. He admitted drinking six pints and then sleeping for a little under three hours before the Bowbelle's night-time journey. He also declared that rescuing the drowning passengers of the Marchioness "was not one of my top priorities". “Asked by Michael Mansfield, QC, acting for a group of 87 Marchioness relatives, "Was there anything you would have done in a different manner?" he declined to speak of rescue, saying: "I would have made sure the lookouts had written instructions ... because it would have saved a lot of questions, the ones I've just faced." This “captain” is an absolute piece of shit and I hope his actions haunt him for the rest of his life.

[@Gois83]

That's absolutely enfuriating. So, saving human lives wasn't one of his top priorities?? I don't wish anyone's harm so I hope he has someone to who saving his life is his top priority if he ever needs rescuing...

[@taylor7772]

Nah he was innocent.

[@WizelBalan]

The demons of hell are waiting for him, so don't worry.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

I agree with your description of the captain. I wonder if a blood alcohol test was performed? Did anyone ask this heartless uncaring piece of excrement if his 6 pints were delicious. That's almost 9 victims per pint. Doesn't sound like a good tradeoff.

[@amethyst5538]

@@WizelBalan Makes you wish hard for a hell of some sort.

[@ThePhunkyPhunky]

I can't believe that the guy that was basically DRINKING AND DRIVING was acquitted. Why is it okay when it comes to boats? Can you also drink and fly a plane? It's ridiculous

[@henryturnerjr3857]

I also noticed it was 1989. The same year another infamous drunk Captain was on board the Exxon Valdez!

[@cybroxde]

Well, he did rest and there would be no legally sound way to prove how much alcohol was left in his blood. However, that shouldn't really matter, because intentionally leaving the scene of the accident, while on duty and instructed otherwise, is way worse and he should've been charged for that.

[@charliem989]

@@cybroxde He wasnt drinking coors light over there, no 2 hour nap is gonna sober you up after that.

[@Ozymandias1]

It happens sometimes. The 2012 movie Flight is about a drunk pilot played by Denzel Washington.

[@dryb3301]

Yeah but he went to prison

[@Progamer1013]

“Insufficient evidence.” Right, besides the fleeing from the seen, drunk driving, and not paying attention. How can someone take away fifty one lives like such and then just get acquitted as a result? Crazy.

[@curve5746]

Because of insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. You must not understand the importance of such laws but you will. The libtards are quickly taking away our civility

[@andrewkelley9405]

Welcome to Britain’s “justice” system.

[@matthewhanf3033]

And with TWO deadlocked jurys no less

[@nicholassmith6019]

It wasn't possible to prove he was drunk because in the chaos no blood test was given, although that speculation was put forth during trial. Also, the defense argued that the Marchioness was not in its lane, leading to the collision. The jury obviously bought it. Twice.

[@AGRGTR09]

Hell, If he was an american, he'd probably go on to be elected to congress.

[@hollies5841]

The fact that most people were rescued in the first half hour is arguably proof that the Bowbelle could have made a significant difference if they assisted in the rescue efforts. Regardless of culpability, its basic humanity to try and help.

[@lewisdoherty7621]

While he should have, if these people had been "partying" and drunk a lot of alcohol, many of the most drunk were probably doomed when they hit the water.

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

Honestly the Bowbelle wouldn't have been a good rescue vessel, being so large and high up from the water, and could potentially have been dangerous to the smaller vessels working to rescue people (especially since she was being piloted by a drunk). Not to excuse the captain's absolutely shitty behaviour that night.

[@realAniram]

@@Ellie-rx3jt yeah, they probably wouldn't have been able to actively do much but they could have at least moved but stayed near the scene to be available for questioning. I have no idea if such a vessel would have them (feels likely for an industrial boat), but if it had positionable flood lights they could have helped by mooring to a side and pointing them at the wreck.

[@hollies5841]

@@Ellie-rx3jt it may not have been hugely effective, but we'll never know. They didn't even throw life buoys into the water. The captain admitted in court that the wellbeing of victims wasnt a top priority for him. He didn't even mention passenger rescue in his initial communication, he was more concerned with documenting his excuses. I think that's why I find the accompanying lack of action so egregious. If it were me, I'd want to know I'd done absolutely all I could.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@realAniram there was plenty of light very quickly... all the bridges and the parliament docks had floodlights for security reasons... arguably though, they hindered rather than helped, blinding the search boats because of lacking coordination... generally, it was a very poor decision to have those people there in the first place... some (before the accident) compared such parties to picnickers on an active runway or on the northern corridor (the main rail-link north)... the two industries could not co-exist in that space... and the war of who will dominate cost 51 lives (actually more, but the other accidents being single kayakers, meant they did not each hit home so hard)

[@elliottprice6084]

Why was the captain of the the Bowbelle acquitted of the the Marchoness tragedy? Not only did he captain the ship in an unfit state, he left the scene of the disaster and failed to rescue survivors. Totally shocking

[@snorpenbass4196]

@ghost mall Yes, that's why that billionaire who killed a guy by driving his yacht over them is in jail now. ...oh, wait, he's not.

[@emm8657]

@@snorpenbass4196 Didn't you know? The law only applies to the middle and lower class in the US! Once you make your billionth dollar you can murder babies in cold blood and get off with 6 months probation and a fine!

[@basbleupeaunoire]

@ghost mall They might get convicted, but if a judge thinks favorably of the defendant, they might get little more than sent to bed without supper. The affluenza kid Ethan Couch killed 4 people and got 10 years probation. The rapist Brock Turner spent only 3 months in jail.

[@VoxParanoia]

Because Juries are made of people and people are idiots.

[@elliottprice6084]

@@VoxParanoia superb answer

[@whowantswaffles]

I remember hearing about this and how terribly the media treated the victims; it was all portrayed as a party boat full of 'youths' that were somehow to blame for their own end. I also recall hearing about one survivor who was so traumatised, that when he managed to swim to shore he simply 'went home' because he was in such stunned shock at what he had been through, as if it had been a dream. I'm amazed not more people know about this story, those poor people. RIP to the victims.

[@tawnyflower-in5yy]

Do you remember the name of that survivor?

[@changingyoutubeusernameisn7302]

because they were a bunch of rich Eurobros. why should we care about them?

[@Futures_End]

I'm a Londoner and I only heard about this for the first time a year or two ago, just by my own curiosity to see if any ships had sank on the Thames. I, too, am surprised not many know about it.

[@Matthew-ut6ed]

@@Futures_End I would say most people who were living in London at the time know about it. But memories can be short. How many people know about the SS Princess Alice which sank in the Thames after a collision near Woolwich in 1878 with the loss of around 650 people? The biggest inland shipping disaster in British history.

[@KCzz15]

Sounds like just another day for the corrupt mainstream media.

[@M2ofEMMM]

Have to say I'm really impressed that the recovery teams managed to locate all 51 victims. Usually with aquatic disasters there are people who are just never found. To have everyone fully accounted for is a real feat.

[@georgebailey8179]

I guess it helped that it took place on a river rather than out at sea. That must cut down the search area a lot.

[@georgebailey8179]

@Nicky L True. I was referring more to there only being two directions a body can travel on a river (up or down river). At sea, they can go in any direction, and so you have a far larger area to cover.

[@peterf.229]

Two for sure directions they go are down and then up

[@briancrawford8751]

I wouldn't be surprised if they found a few extra bodies while they were at it.

[@andrewince8824]

It's a brilliant example of kill confirmed. It's a very important part of eradicating the leeches and parasitic oligarchs like those on the stricken vessel.

[@chairmanm7686]

“And Henderson was formally acquitted”. Umm okay but if he’s not at fault in any other way what about the fleeing the scene? If I cause a reck on the roads I could get charged with fleeing the scene but this guy defied orders to help in the rescue effort but walked away unpunished??

[@kennorcott7074]

Yeah thought that was weird. Fleeing the scene, at least in the US, is a felony and you can do significant jail time for it. Not sure about the laws in the UK

[@gwyny420]

The law applies in the uk too, problem is our justice system.

[@randibgood]

@@gwyny420 They don't bother looking for someone over here who flees, unless there is a fatality or very serious injury, as far as I know. if it's just damage, they don't bother.

[@AlexGreeneHypnotist]

I'd be the first to say "I smell bribes," but it's an incredible pattern that almost nobody who causes disasters actually does any significant time for it.

[@ethribin4188]

Keep in mind that he had a much bigger and heavier ship that traveled at higher speeds. Ships cant be easily halted like cars or trains. Water does not allow for that. Likely, if he had tried to stop and help, he would have been to late, or maybe even made the situation worse. All he could have done is lower rescue boats into the water to go help. If he had any. Which it seems he did not. Him informing the coast guard was all he could and needed to do. Aside of paying better attention before the collision...

[@chegeny]

I'm old enough to remember the late 1980s as a time of large scale traumatic events in the UK. The Marchioness disaster happened on the heels of other back-to-back disasters. The capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise (193 dead), the King's Cross fire (31 dead), the Piper Alpha oil rig fire (167 dead), the Lockerbie bombing (243 dead), the Clapham Junction rail disaster (35 dead), and the Hillsborough disaster (96 dead).

[@rickrolled3666]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XLf6F9nL-kmcU Finally its here

[@markturner1970]

There was also the Kegworth plane crash which killed 47.

[@rich_edwards79]

Yes, after the Bradford City fire in 1986 it seemed that every other week brought headlines of some horrible disaster.

[@loisreese2692]

@chegeny Holy hell. Thank you for mentioning these tragedies. If @Fascinating Horror sees your comment and the replies, they've got about 7 more episodes dropped in their lap. I would very much like to watch them. Cheers from Pennsylvania 🇺🇸

[@2760ade]

Yes, I was in my early twenties then. It sure was a bad time for some inexplicable reason! Fortunately, health and safety has come a long way since then.

[@JB_Fraulein_Kunst]

I'm surprised there was no mention of how truly horrific the aftermath was and how badly the victims and their families were treated. Many of those who died had their hands completely cut off for identification, and so were burried without them. One was an artist and there's an interview with his mother who is heart broken that he used his hands and they were removed from him and he wasn't buried with them. Another family were given the body of a white person, but they were black. Horrible mix up. No justice or kindness for them at all

[@loisreese2692]

@J B That is horrific. I wish FH had included that information as well. Damn.

[@basbleupeaunoire]

Awful! It's clearer and clearer why the families organized. Insult to injury.

[@nzkshatriya6298]

dead is dead hands or no hands, dead is dead

[@noxirs7059]

Cut off?! That's insane and saddening

[@CoraBuhlert]

I also recall that there was not a lot of sympathy for the victims at the time, because a lot of them came from wealthy backgrounds and because they had been partying on a pleasure - as if that were a crime worthy of death. Really sickening.

[@bikeroffthebeatentrack]

I knew a barrister involved in the enquiry. The Bowbelle was unladen at the time of the collision. Without the weight of mud she was designed to carry, the bow was sitting much higher than the low wheelhouse, meaning the captain could not see ahead. The usual practice was to position a crew member up on the bow with a couple of lamps he could use to indicate whether the craft needed to go left or right. There was no radio communications between the wheelhouse and the bow, meaning the lookout had no way of alerting the captain. Combine this with the alcohol consumed by the captain, and it was a disaster waiting to happen. RIP all who perished.

[@mayday6916]

I have always wondered why so many ships are constructed in a way that makes it impossible to see where you are going.

[@m.l.tankesly2665]

@@mayday6916 probably because when it is fully loaded the ship tends to sit lower in the water. Not much of a boat if the ship sinks when you load it due to water coming over the sides.

[@TheNuckinFoob]

It's insane to me that this drunk destroyed another ship, KEPT GOING and got in zero trouble. I mean, he had absolutely no remorse, no regrets, he just said "I have to keep going..." and bailed on everyone he murdered. Unbelievable!

[@JM-vp8zc]

Counterpoint - aristocrats

[@taylor7772]

Not murder but a negligent manslaughter.

[@ZGryphon]

One thing that my mind keeps coming back to is that, on top of all the other horrors these people faced, "water" is a pretty generous word for what the Thames is made of (and probably more so back in the '80s, come to that).

[@rebeccakoch9203]

yep, that occurred to me as well. Especially when it took them hours to even find the wreck of the ship... that ain't clear water they're diving in.

[@peterf.229]

Well currents cause murky water just sayin

[@lexprontera8325]

Nonsense. The Thames is perfectly clean water. Anything filtered through THAT many kidneys HAS to be clean.

[@shishkebab5306]

So a captain in charge of a large ship colliding with a smaller vessel, who has been in and out of pubs drinking all evening, is acquitted? OMG! No justice there then.

[@BennyLlama39]

Sounds like the American legal "system". 😒

[@baybaywolf]

I just can’t even wrap my head around how the Bowbelles captain said “I got distracted my some pretty lights sunk a boat killed some people but you know I’m on a tight schedule so peace✌️” and then to not be convicted he admitted to doing a hit and run

[@happyfacefries]

It makes me legit nauseous

[@dickdastardly5534]

The week before this happened I was on the Thames on a boat,party craft sailing down to the barrage and back. we got to the barrage and proceeded to come back I was on the top deck I could see this massive bow wave and one lonely light which struck me as really odd , the vessel powered pass and was quite close, I remember thinking it seemed a bit dangerous and was uncomfortable. The following week the disaster happened and I couldn’t help feel I was lucky and fate had dealt me a lucky card. Very strange indeed.

[@jersmont1309]

until I clicked read more I thought you were lucky and fat. The Thames seems a strange place for boat disasters but never been there

[@rickrolled3666]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XLf6F9nL-kmcU Finally its here

[@westtnskirmishlog6820]

I'm glad it wasn't you or yours, and I hate it for those that caught it. I bet that is very upsetting, as a TN river gravel barge crewman, I think I can imagine, but now we don't have to contend with those tight squeezes like y'all over there as much. Y'all stay safe, God bless.

[@simonkevnorris]

I've only ever been to one boat party on the Thames which was after this incident. The ship did not leave the pier where it was tied up.

[@dakat5131]

That's crazy- they literally admitted to it but still got away on "insufficient evidence"

[@rickrolled3666]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XLf6F9nL-kmcU Finally its here

[@sebby324]

Uk

[@Unownshipper]

Where do you get this stuff, some database of tragic and under-reported disasters? I'm legitimately surprised how I'm consistently learning something new each week. You do an amazing job of curating these incidents that seem to slip through the cracks. Anyone could talk about the Titanic or Hindenburg (hell, I'd love to see your take someday), but you always seem to find the rare or forgotten moments that ought to be remembered.

[@loisreese2692]

@unownshipper Excellent comment. Hear, hear!

[@ajmatt574]

You can email him with details of a tragedy if it’s known to you. He takes suggestions. Viewers help supply him the content.

[@Canalcoholic]

This is a very well known and widely reported incident in England. Where he gets his American and other stories from is another matter entirely.

[@Ob1sdarkside]

I remember when this happened

[@maxssister1985]

Thats what i’m saying… who needs a formal education when you have fascinating horror and a hot asmr voice narration 😂😭

[@jimbo4375]

Bowbelle was sold in 1992 to Sealsands Maritime, operating out of Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; she was renamed Billo. Four years later she was sold to Antonio Pereira & Filhos of Funchal, Madeira, who named the vessel Bom Rei. She broke in two and sank off Madeira the same year with the loss of one crew member - from Wikipedia

[@diabelskiananas8679]

Every episode having a "changes were implemented to prevent another disaster like this from happening" moment gives me so much hope. We really do learn.

[@michaelrichter9427]

And yet we have a raging pandemic still.

[@kumaahito3927]

This was chilling to listen to. There was a very similar case in Budapest in 2019. The collision happened in almost the same manner iirc, the small cruise ship, Hableány ("Little Mermaid") being submerged in seconds. Only 7 people out of the 35 on board survived, with months of search for the last bodies to be recovered. (Two were never found iirc but not sure)

[@rickrolled3666]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XLf6F9nL-kmcU Finally its here

[@Jens_Roadster]

@@rickrolled3666 shut up.

[@firtosszende7951]

That’s exactly what I thought as well. The similarity between the two stories is eerie.

[@bennnoboyo5238]

@@rickrolled3666 go home, android man. you’re showing a waste of our own AI tech.

[@CsendesMark]

exactly

[@dirtyd9219]

The most frustrating part of watching these videos is finding out most of the time the people responsible for these tragedies end up completely getting away with it.

[@stevelacey9122]

Read the girlfriends Book very enlightening indeed i think it's called Dark Waters

[@simonbeaird7436]

Interesting fact: The four lifeboat stations on the Thames account for around 10% of all lifeboat call-outs each year. To put that in perspective, the RNLI operates 238 stations around the coast of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

[@basbleupeaunoire]

Wow. A sorely needed service.

[@peterf.229]

So , might be a dumb question but why didn’t they have them there before ? Was this the only accident on the Thames ?

[@simonbeaird7436]

@@peterf.229 Not dumb at all. Prior to the Marchioness, the last big disaster on the Thames was the loss of the steamer 'Princess Alice' in 1878. Most other accidents were small enough that the police boats and fire service boats could handle them. So the Marchioness disaster was the biggest accident on the Thames for 100 years outside of wartime.

[@happyfacefries]

Thank you for saying interesting instead of fun. I can't stand it when people say that about a bad situation. I'm also glad you posted this because I was curious about how much it made a difference after

[@wilsjane]

@@simonbeaird7436 What yo say is true, since the Thames is covered by the London emergency services, including police craft trained in rescue. The London fire brigade boats are equipped to fight huge fires on the dockside, so a boat fire is just a minor event to them. With the Thames being in view from the land 24/7, most of the calls to the RNLI are false alarms, such as a floating body turning out to be a sack of rubbish. However, they work alongside the police to make the river safer and deter illegal activities. However you look at it, prevention is always better than cure and without doubt the RNLI have saved lives, not to mention a few whales and seals.

[@reachandler3655]

I am truly shocked he got away with it. If this happened on a road he'd have been charged with DUI, fleeing the scene, manslaughter, and possibly driving without due care or wreckless driving.

[@peterf.229]

Maritime law is not the same as laws that apply to driving

[@reachandler3655]

@@peterf.229 Obviously. If it were he would have been held responsible.

[@1slandB0y77]

The setting up of the rescue stations on the Thames is one of those things that gives weight to the old saying, "Better late than never". That's not to minimize the deaths of the 51 people mentioned, but a way of agreeing that some tragedies actually end up saving many more lives than were lost, which is always a good thing. Better to have good come out of tragedy than more tragedy.

[@knickd1979]

What a terrifying way to leave this world! One second you’re happily flirting with some cutie with a cocktail in hand, the next second you’re rocked to the floor, lights go out, and the enclosed room you’re in quickly begins to fill with dark, cold water. You have no time to react No time to open a door or bust a window. Once that water pressure seals those exits tight you are trapped and drinking the Thames til you’re not.

[@PLANETIA01]

I had several Australian friends that passed away on the Marchioness through this accident. I can still remember the TV news reports of the time and the shock we all had as the names were read out. I'll never forget my friends and this terrible unfortunate accident. Thank you for creating and posting this clip and all of the information that you have provided. DM.

[@henryturnerjr3857]

1989 must have been the year of the drunken captain. The Exxon Valdez was also in 1989!

[@harlech2]

Flew out of Heathrow the morning after this happened. Having been through there many times, the entirety of the airport was unusually quiet and subdued. Everyone was either glued to any available TV or radio or had their head buried in the morning rags. In particular, I can remember one of the little bar/pub things and a small 2 person table with about a dozen people crammed around it listening to a radio that an employee had brought out because the place didn't have a TV.

[@bakomusha]

1989!? And it took over a DECADE for a dedicated boat rescue service to come to one of the busiest waterways on the planet!? The Hudson had one since the 1800s! Britain, you will forever confound me!

[@itsjohndell]

This was my biggest takeaway. A thousand years on the Thames and only then the RNLI (who do a magnificent job) were stationed there? Government negligence.

[@nlwilson4892]

Bear in mind that the RNLI is a charity run by volunteers so they are on-call not permanent duty.. Also that the police have a dedicated department for patrolling the Thames that would have covered rescues up until then. In this case the RNLI would have arrived on the scene too late for most.

[@ZGryphon]

This is the same country that had a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1824) decades before anyone got around to founding a National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (1884). Priorities, man.

[@nlwilson4892]

@@ZGryphon It was the RSPCA's work that made people aware of the way children were treated though. Part of the issue was an attitude that pervades, even today, that children belong to their parents and that you shouldn't interfere with how people bring up their children. People were campaigning on issues around children in the workplace before the NSPCC came along but I don't think there was a sense of treating children better than adults at that time so they had the same dangerous and appalling work conditions as everyone else.

[@MarceloBenoit-trenes]

​@@ZGryphon animals are at mercy of their owners and random people. I still cannot understand why EVER someone wants to put animals against ch-ildr-ens as an argument. Sorry, do your part helping chil-dre-ns and let others to do what they want.

[@Robtheredengine]

Some other facts about this disaster, It was kind of a horror story with the investigation to identify the victims and inform the families as some of the victims of the disaster had their hands cut off. The bowbelle was sold twice before herself sinking after breaking in two with the loss of just one crew member. One of the survivors dived to see the wreck the of the ship that nearly killed him.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

I recall a lot of reporting in Private Eye about the bodies being mutilated with hand removal etc. must have made the loss even harder for the victims’ families

[@Robtheredengine]

@@hoagy_ytfc I struggle to see why the hands were cut off >< thats a crime in itself as one of the victims was an artist and me being an artist myself, the hands are the tools and it was an insult to cut them off.

[@EzratheRift]

@@Robtheredengine I don't think anyone was purposefully cutting the hands off

[@JB_Fraulein_Kunst]

@@EzratheRift they were purposefully cut off to make identification easier for the Corona. Absolute vile human who wouldn't even attend hearings or answer families questions. Reports range from 21 to 25 victims who had their hands cut off and families were not allowed to see the bodies of their loved ones because of it. No regard for human life at all

[@JB_Fraulein_Kunst]

@@Robtheredengine lazy Corona, done for finger printing victims

[@subjectstigma2473]

Insufficient evidence despite being drunk on the job, and formally acquitted despite fleeing the scene and admitting to it by radio. Sounds like a much more polite version of how the victims of the Aberfan Disaster were treated. The British seem to have a disturbing and disgusting knack for being completely indifferent to the victims of disasters once the immediate danger passes. "Welcome to Great Britain, if you suffer a disaster here, we will save you from danger, but we will not prosecute the people who put you in danger, no matter how much evidence you have of their guilt, and put all the blame on you the victim instead. We will also treat you like a criminal for seeking help with getting back on your feet."

[@LittleKitty22]

I can confirm that. It's because of the corruption everywhere here. People get their jobs because they are related to someone higher up, not because they are competent. They therefore know they can do what they want, they won't get fired or help accountable for their actions. And indeed, if a victim of these goof ups complains, it's the victim that gets treated like the criminal, and told they are "just confused and didn't understand the situation"! Yup, a daily occurrence here in the UK!

[@arthurhucksake2665]

There's not much "Great" left in Britain these days, unfortunately.

[@alice45-fgd-456drt]

I mean yeah, it's still like that today, people can't afford to warm their houses and feed their kids, the UN had to pop in and feed hungry children during the pandemic all while politicians eat for free, the list goes on. The British government does not, in any way, care about its population.

[@kandreasworld4374]

One thing that stands out in all of these disasters is that they initially charge someone with negligence to appease the masses and then, later, drop the charges. No one is EVER held accountable for their indifference.

[@basbleupeaunoire]

Nope. It's so awful.

[@KiloOne]

Great stuff as always, never knew about this. Also this is the first video I’ve stayed up for to watch. It’s 4 AM in the US but it is worth it

[@chairmanm7686]

No better time to watch this than at 4 AM

[@majinzombiegenocider]

I’m watching now at nearly 5am

[@RoccosVideos]

I’m on the east coast, it’s 6AM here. We just need someone from pacific time now.

[@AbbyChristensen-of4bx]

I get up super early cause I have sleeping issues and Tuesday mornings are my favorite 😊

[@debbied9997]

There is a common theme in almost all of these stories that no one is ever held accountable. It's always "we'll know better next time," but the relatives of the dead never get justice. And many times, the owners, captains, or other stakeholders carry on as if nothing happened and continue their lives as usual. It's a travesty.

[@evelynwilson1566]

I'm surprised that he wasn't held accountable for leaving the scene. I realise the boat would take a while to stop and turn, but he doesn't seem to have made any effort to return. I remember being told about a similar incident which happened at Grangemouth Docks, with an oil tanker and a fishing boat being on the same course. Luckily disaster was averted, the oil tanker captain was disciplined internally, but the captain of the fishing boat was fined for swearing on the airwaves, as an oil tanker headed towards his tiny boat. So I guess breaking broadcasting rules was important but not almost causing a major accident. Here's hoping our maritime law has had an overhaul.

[@oceanfloor258]

Not defending the captain but he probably would have had to get beyond Tower Bridge before he could turn. By then its possible the tide was too low. However that's only my speculation and I believe he should have been held accountable and imprisoned, he would have failed a drink drive test for starters.

[@ModeofHorror]

Just 30 seconds before the boat was completely under water. That is just terrifying. I generally think of boats sinking as happening quite slowly. Not in such a short period of time. I can’t imagine the terror everyone on the boat experienced during this ordeal. Rest in peace to those 51 who perished.

[@jimbo4375]

Probably partly due to the size difference - the dredger was 30 times the weight of the Marchioness (and captained by a negligent idiot), so the smaller boat didn't really stand a chance.

[@lantinkan9013]

wow this channel is so freaking amazing. for real, channel creators and narrator oughtta write history books for schools. who agrees with me??

[@insertnamehere5146]

I did some work for the company that owned the Marchioness. They told me that After it was salvaged, they took it away and had it destroyed because morbid collectors were trying to pinch parts off it as trophies.

[@liquidhighway]

The marchioness was towed to pipers wharf at greenwich and after inspections carried out by the maib it was scrapped in the drydock. The name boards were removed and kept by the company. The wheel is with the captains son

[@Peace-lr7mt]

My son and I were in London once, for 10 days and took a nighttime boat ride on the Thames. It was a really nice dinner with a small band and small dance floor. I remember watching another boat approach and thinking "What the hell?!" With such a small area and so many boats on the river, you'd think those driving the boats would ALL be paying attention. As it was, the 2 boats were going towards each other and literally made contact as I watched, stunned by the incompetence. They just skimmed each other, but I now see it could have been far worse. The Thames is heavily trafficked and considering that was the 1 and only time I've ever been on it, I'm thinking it's not the safest place to be.

[@anthroposmetron4475]

Wikipedia says one of the inquest juries returned a verdict of unlawful killing, despite being directed not to by the coroner. That jury can consider themselves the only part of the legal system which distinguished itself in this case.

[@benisaten]

Man I've always found the Thames to be very eerie and ominous. So much history.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

Sickening to think that, in open sea, that captain is legally obligated to assist people in the water, and failing to do so would bring charges.

[@onlyrooster]

Great video again. I hope the negligent captain (who displayed absolute callous disregard) never sailed again. What an absolute disgrace of a sailor.

[@randibgood]

Especially for him to not stay and try to get survivors out of the water. Fleeing the scene is reprehensible.

[@christyluvs80sXo]

I can’t believe the captain of the Bowbelle got away Scott free after admitting to hitting a “pleasure cruiser” then continuing on his way without helping the vessel he hit!! What a disgrace! I’m happy that some good came out of the tragedy with the permanent placement of life boats and crew along the Thames.

[@cerneuffington2656]

This was one of a long line of disasters or mass-murder to happen in Britain in the space of just 2½ years: Zeebrugge, Hungerford, The Great Storm, Enniskillen, Kings Cross, Piper Alpha, Clapham Junction, Lockerbie, Kegworth, Purley, Hillsborough, Marchioness.

[@DaveSCameron]

My 1980s was rammed with disasters, Heysel, Zeeburgge, Hillsborough, Bradford, Rail crashes etc

[@stevenstice6683]

This was the decade that also gave us the Byford Dolphin accident.

[@SmartPrice84]

I've noticed with a lot of these stories, it's really obvious who is to blame, yet they are never held to account.

[@thunderrain789]

That party-themed animation on the like button is the most jarring thing when you put it on a video like this.

[@GreenEyedGoblin]

Would it be in your Purview to coverr the Laconia sinking? A British troopship transporting italian PoW's(including women and children) was fired upon by US planes who mistook it for an enemy ship. It was a huge disaster that cost thousands of lives but isn't widely known outside certain circles. I only know about it because I lost 2 great uncles, a deckhand and a boilerman (the boilerman got trapped and his brother, who got off on a lifeboat, leapt back in the water to swim back on board to be with him)

[@MsWaggydog]

I was living in London at the time and remember this very well. A tragedy with the loss of so many innocent young lives. RIP.

[@holotori_senior_admin_teno]

Fascinating indeed! I'm totally down for hearing more incidents or such from Britain that might not have made it over here across the pond. I'm glad those poor souls have been so remembered though.

[@lornarettig3215]

It was a very big story in the UK for some time. By which I mean, British people were rightly aghast at this, not that you should have heard of it already. Hope that makes sense.

[@jeremytravis360]

I live in London and I remember this well. It was a tragic and needless loss of life. The only good thing to come out of it was a complete overhaul of the regulations concerning trips on the Thames. There were trips on restored WW2 Ducks which had a habit of catching fire. They were also reviewed but I don't think any of them involved the loss of life.

[@rich_edwards79]

Yes and one sank in Liverpool docks iirc although again everyone thankfully escaped. Strange that the Brits can't seem to operate DUKWs safely as pleasure craft when they've been touring the harbour in Boston MA for decades without incident.

[@toomanyaccounts]

@@rich_edwards79 maybe it is due to brits not being able pronounce the th in sixth

[@melasnexperience]

Duck boat tours in the United States have a body count (including a particularly bad boat collision between one & a freight ship in my neck of the woods in Philly), so it's minorly lucky that no one was killed on any burning ones.

[@cutelittledoll]

Another good thing was RNLI stations on the Thames. Until this happened there was none. Now there’s four stations.

[@basbleupeaunoire]

I was stunned to hear that they didn't have lifeboat stations or emergency personnel on the Thames already.

[@Yung-plague]

Henderson shouldve plead guilty himself. It was his fault, he should have held himself accountable, and in lieu of that, should have been quartered by an angry mob of survivors and families of the deceased.

[@justtime6736]

If I had a loved one or family or friend that died I would find out where he lived and brain the mother fucker.

[@rafetizer]

It's always heartening to hear of bystanders coming to the rescue. Bittersweet, but heartening.

[@Votrae]

We're all aware of varying dangers with water, but I can't imagine how near-instantaneous like this would feel. One moment you're hanging out with friends, probably quite drunk, and THIRTY SECONDS later you're trapped in a drowning cage. RIP

[@IndigoRyu]

Excellent video as always! May I also give a recommendation for another video? The Transrapit collision in Lathen, Germany in 2006. A very tragic story, that didn't only kill many people, but also put an end to the whole Transrapid project in the country. It was also the first fatal maglev accident in history.

[@strangeluck]

Bowbelle's drunk captain's fleeing the scene aside, isn't it the smaller vessel's duty to give way to larger vessels? Was hoping to hear more about responsibility.

[@jean-pierredeclemy7032]

Read the MAIB report by searching "MAIB report Marchioness" it should answer your questions about the incident but does not apportion blame which is the duty of the courts working within the limitations of the legal system.

[@oinka720]

Your channel always lives up to it's name. If you're looking for video ideas try the e. coli outbreak that occurred in Walkerton, Canada in May 2000 due to water contamination. I find it to be a fascinating tale of negligence, and I'm always horrified by the idea that my drinking water might kill me.

[@ticketyboo2456]

I remember this, I was about the age of those partygoers and still feel for them and the absolute terror they must have felt. So sad that a lovely night out became a tragedy so quickly.

[@A_Ducky]

Before watching, I'd just like to say this intro/outro has become the sound of my dreams.. peaceful, less painful sleep. Thank you so much for creating, researching, editing, music & all. Excellence in every way! 🌻

[@Serimah]

Your Voice sounds so crisp, did you get a new Microphone? So pleasant to listen to, even with such tragedy...

[@maxh771]

Maybe he has a cold? LOL :)

[@jenniferryersejones9876]

@@maxh771 That's the first thing I thought when I heard him!

[@iainmalcolm9583]

I remember this tragedy when it happened. My early thoughts were how lucky that 80 people survived. I could have been so much worse and I didn't recall the crewman getting back on board and opening a door to help some escape. Should have named one of the lifeboats after him as well.

[@emmawalker7980]

That’s so weird I literally found out about this disaster last week and as soon as I read about it immediately thought how good you’d cover this!

[@IcklBee]

Henderson should’ve been held accountable.. why didn’t they stop to help like the other pleasure boats did

[@timmyy420]

Maybe it was time for all those fancy aristocrats to learn to swim?

[@stephenpmurphy591]

Maybe be its time to refresh Henderson memory. He clearly lacks a conscious.

[@crazeelazee7524]

What the heΙΙ? I don't know much about naval law but I know that if you kill someone (let alone 51) while drunk driving and then flee the scene, you're fucked. Why isn't Henderson rotting in prison?

[@neverendingtuesday]

For all the awfulness you cover in your videos, I really appreciate that you always end on the positive changes that came from these horrific episodes. Thanks, man. It's strangely comforting in a way, knowing we can learn from our mistakes ✌🏻

[@Haysey_Draws]

I'm shocked that the Thames had no coast guard until after this! I walk along it all the time and it's always super busy in and along the coast, that fact it took this tragedy to change that and within living memory is just wild to me.

[@basbleupeaunoire]

Same here. Considering the amount of traffic it seems to have. (I'm from the US and have only actually seen it once.)

[@JuliusCaesar888]

Lmfao Henderson like "I just sunk a ship, lots of people on board. Anyway, I'm about to exit the waterway. Talk later."

[@o_Kay_Fern]

It blows my mind that the Captain of the Bowbelle was drinking, crashed into a ship, LEFT the scene, and wasn't charged. That seems crazy to me

[@mineown1861]

Seems an oversight that on such a narrow yet busy waterway was no traffic control , upriver and downriver channels for instance.

[@samuelhasell7507]

Did you get a new microphone?? The sound quality seems a bit better here

[@zippersocks]

Again, you’ve brought to light another tragic event that I’ve never heard of. Thank you for your videos. Really sad to have so many souls lost with no accountability.

[@billyponsonby]

I remember this. As often happens in the UK, no one is held responsible and investigation was bungled, delayed and ultimately worthless. Neither the Department of Transport nor the Port of London Authority accepted any responsibility or liability despite being responsible for safety along this stretch of the Thames. As is often the case in the UK, it was only after years of public outrage that a full inquiry was held. The RNLI is a lifesaving charity which unlike the govt. agencies mentioned, is effective, professional and held in very high regard by the UK public.

[@livin4thelamb499]

I always appreciate how you'll talk about the good things that come from horrific events like this. Whether it was new laws that were made to protect others, new sanctions, or even just an awareness of an issue. 👍 I look forward to your videos every Tuesday!

[@MelonCakeys]

Just wanted to say that it sounds like the audio has a notable improvement in this video 💜

[@Phaaschh]

A few years ago I was called to serve on a jury where the charge on the case was also "failing to keep a proper lookout". It was incredibly difficult to come to a decision, given the available evidence, as I'm sure it was here. However had the charge been "failing to give assistance following a known collision", the outcome would have been very different.

[@taestyinbusan3163]

The narrator's voice in these videos is so soothing to listen to.

[@nathanhunter6201]

Your intro music always fills me with joy-dread

[@tankroller1264]

yay new vid -10-20 minutes later what the hell? that was entirely preventable.

[@Satellite_Of_Love]

Great video. I really appreciate the fact that you try to find something positive in the midst of these tragedies. I'm relieved to know that the Coast Guard can now help keep people safe on the Thames.

[@ZefDavenport]

I was 2 back then, so I can't remember much of the laws we had in place, but many of you might be surprised as to how many things you could get away with at the end of the 80's and the beginning of the 90's. Many new laws and safety regulations have been implemented from late 90's onwards, some of them on things that were seen as "normal" prior to them.

[@christopping5876]

One of the cardinal rules when on the water is keep a good lookout. The second is adjust you speed according to the conditions. A needless tragedy. While not stationed in the river at the time it is worth noting that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a Charity run by Volunteers. It receives absolutely NO Government funding. This is probably why, without Government meddling, restructuring or interference, they have thrived since 1824 providing an absolutely incredible service.

[@mousepariah3884]

Wow this took place 6 days after my brother was born and 4 days before my first birthday. I realize that's not relevant to the story but it's always just wild to hear about significant events close to personally significant dates

[@Tom_Samad]

Fascinating! And equally fascinating is the fact that i was born in 1989! It's just so fascinating!!!!

[@liquidhighway]

Thank you for shedding light on this tragic collision on your channel, an incident that i know all too well and have researched and studied for years having worked on the River Thames as a captain and waterman on pleasure boats myself. An ITV drama reconstruction was made a few years ago now but never aired but parts of it are on youtube here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWTaYttlpaZr8k A couple of corrections: - The Marchioness although listed as a dunkirk little ship and was called up for the operation, she did not actually sail across to dunkirk due to salt water disagreeing with many of the thames steamers steam boilers. - In the accident the Marchioness was hit twice, once directly astern and pushing the boat forward and round to port across the bow of the Bowbelle, before hitting it again pushing the boat under water and ripping off the top deck. - There had been lots of confusion over where the incident had taken place when the VHF calls went out to Woolwich Radio, with the fire brigade going further upriver and police boats racing through the scene and even reportedly hitting some people in the water as show in the itv drama. - The Bowbelle was damaged in the collision and struck cannon street bridge breaking its port light amonst other things. Hendersons radio message "I have to get underway now" was broadcast whilst he was underneath cannon street bridge, he failed to launch any life saving equipment to help those in the water and left the scene and got underway again to anchor at gallions reach and await police. - The Bowbelle had old style engine room controls, so the captain and engineer in the engine room had to work together , the captain giving an order and the engineer adjusting the engine speed and propulsion, very dated and far too slow. The Bowbelle failed to keep a proper lookout with no means of communication with the bridge if they were keeping a sharp lookout, the ship had no VHF handheld radios for crew to use and in an interview with crew on the dispatches programme made by channel 4 a crew member said that they were expected to shout and wave arms in the air to alert the bridge. Simply ridiculous! - As mentioned the Marchioness had a design flaw with the wheelhouse being lower than the top deck of the boat, the mate was expected to look out of the hatch in the roof to see astern of the boat which was not practical. After the accident, all boats were required to have 360 degree view from the wheelhouse, many of these older boats such as hurlingham had the wheelhouse raised slightly so it was possible to see astern through the windows. Link to dispatches film here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzai5eFgMqXebs - The police during the investigations after the incident removed the hands from some victims to identify them and caused outrage for doing so - The Bowbelle sank herself after breaking in two during dredging in Portugal in 1996. She is now a dive wreck. - The Marchioness was raised and taken to drydock in Greenwich where after investigations had concluded she was broken up. Her wheel and various pieces still survive today, the wheel being with the captains family in pride of place. - As stated Henderson was aquitted, and even went on to continue working on ships after the incident! Absolutely shocking

[@marshamoseley5878]

Thanks so much for adding these details!

[@lornarettig3215]

Super interesting; thank you.

[@scotty_blocks]

Been hoping you'd cover this disaster. I remember the news coverage and getting goosebumps thinking about those who'd drowned, trapped in the boat as it was pushed under. The captain of the dredger deserves to burn in hell.

[@killxxhollywoodxx]

You should make a video about the Buffalo creek Dam disaster and flood in Logan county West Virginia please!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DrKoreyShank]

As someone from WV, I second this

[@seandelap6268]

So many bad things have happened on boats it would make you reluctant to travel on one ever again.

[@AmazingAmaterasuSama]

With your voice, you should record audiobooks.

[@Knuckle_Sandwich_Hand_Wraps]

THANK YOU for doing this one!

[@christhepk1407]

A common theme of these stories is ' no was held to account ' unbelievable

[@FISTOproductions]

If I recall correctly, admiralty law/maritime law states that if any vessel is in distress, it is the obligation of all nearby vessels to aid them. *The International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea - IMO 1974, The International Convention on Search and Rescue - IMO 1979* This should've been grounds for them to prosecute.

[@keirapoppins2514]

I could well be wrong, but I think that might not apply on a river. I think that jurisdiction stops when the sea stops. If that's the case then it's an utterly insane oversight, but I can only hope I'm wrong.

[@FISTOproductions]

@@keirapoppins2514 as long as it is a navigable waterway, it should apply

[@FISTOproductions]

@@keirapoppins2514 confirmed, the River Thames supports national/international trade, making it a navigable waterway.

[@keirapoppins2514]

@@FISTOproductions Ah, thanks. Though that only makes it more horrifying.

[@NGMonocrom]

How Captain Henderson was not sentenced to Life in Prison for 51 counts of Homicide, is baffling. (To put it mildly.) Once again, the British criminal court system lives up to its reputation of being a worthless joke of one that the rest of the world rightfully looks at with disgust and distain.

[@sophierobinson2738]

You haven’t seen the U.S. court system?

[@JenMaxon]

Well it wouldn't be homicide as it wasn't intentional. But he should have been charged with manslaughter.

[@kubauhlir1730]

Except none of those were a homicide 😑

[@NGMonocrom]

@@sophierobinson2738 If anything, the U.S. system is accused of sometimes being too harsh. The British one often treats violent, repeat offenders as if they are naughty children who have gotten up to a bit mischief. Nanny State in all ways. Huge difference between a child playing with a cricket bat in the house and accidentally bashing a vase, compared to a grown man intentionally bashing someone's skull. But not to the British criminal court system. A light slap on the wrist, and on your way. Don't do that again.

[@saracarman3925]

The pure irony in getting a SeaWorld ad before this video when I wouldn't be surprised if something that happened at a SeaWorld eventually ends up being a topic on this channel is truly stunning.

[@DavidKen878]

How's that ironic?

[@cryptaveli]

Great as always. Consistently getting better and better, love seeing this channel grow.

[@martinarash1811]

This was interesting, enjoy listening to you tell stories. You're one of my favorites on KZbin, always look forward to your videos ❤️

[@martinarash1811]

@ghost mall I wasn't trying to be callus, yes the loss of life was sad.

[@martinarash1811]

@ghost mall no big deal, it's just how you felt.

[@my12spoonswithrose43]

I remember when this happened, the pictures of the survivors & the bodies helped to fuel the only fear I have of dying. This is one of those times you remember where you were. I would have only been about 23 at the time.

[@yellowjackboots2624]

I was 10 at the time and was terrified at the thought of those people being plunged into the black water with a monstrous, rusted drudger churning over them. Still gives me the creeps.

[@rolemodlin]

I have been binge watching your videos over the last week. Well done. Informative and respectful all the way around.