Princess Augusta Haunts Block Island (1738)

[@gordonsmith4884]

Heartbreaking, infuriating and enthralling. I listened twice, back to back. Thank you for your hard work, so many tales that are lost to most of us. Presentation has improved exponentially and you deserve many more subscribers.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

We find that we are always learning as we do every episode, about how to be better story tellers, how to edit the audio, and of course so much about history that has almost been forgotten. It is a very enjoyable experience.

[@kevinkeller4924]

Thanks for the story. My fathers ancestor came over from the Palatinate area of Germany in 1764. He was only 17 years old. Supposedly, there was a person who traveled with him that died on board ship. But he survived and made it to Philadelphia and somehow made it up to the little town of Oley , About 60 miles north west of Philadelphia. He settled there and his posterity are still living in that area to this day. Myself included! May all those who died during these terrible voyages rest in peace.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

We chose this ship because we wanted a seasonal ghost story but there are so many other stories about Palatine shipwrecks that should be told, and we hope to get to some day. Though 1738 was a particularly bad year it hardly had a monopoly on Palatine ship horrors.

[@funnelvortex7722]

Ugh, the fact that the Block Island residents were demonized for nearly 200 years until the truth was uncovered is nothing short of infuriating. If anything has stayed consistent throughout history it’s that the good nature of humanity doesn’t sell headlines, sensationalism always covers truth. Also I am curious as to how this ship was at sea for 6 months, a typical voyage across the Atlantic via sailing vessel should only take 4-8 weeks, things likely went very very wrong during the entirety of that voyage.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

That six month voyage includes what was usually a very lengthy customs stop in the English Channel. Her only voyage as a Palatine vessel before this one she had run afoul of customs there. The Block Island residents did write to a regional paper protesting with their version of events. I believe I read only 3 papers published their account even though almost every paper in the colonies had published the story of their piracy.

[@perlefisker]

Thank you for this account. Apart from being a tragic occurrence, the story is an interesting example of the scary myth-making in human societies.

[@DoomsJ]

HEY I love the new icon pic ❤️

[@ACABDevil]

I'm a direct descendant of one of the survivors. My 8th great aunt was the witch they spoke of. I'm in contact with the block island historical society.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

That's an incredible story to have as a family legacy.

[@robertely686]

If Captain Brooks were alive today he'd be working for the likes of Goldman Sachs or Halliburton.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

It can definitely be said that he understood business and the practice of making money, though he was not exclusive in such behavior. There are several stories about captains on Palatine ships withholding promised rations etc.

[@funnelvortex7722]

A more fitting modern equivalent would be the captain of the El Faro. Too concerned about his job and pleasing corporate rather than the well being of those on board.

[@nashvilleusa6802]

My ancestors came on this ship 2 years before she sank, 1736

[@charlottescat4481]

If you get the chance, check out the story of the wreck of the Batavia. The story is so unbelievable, that it has to be real!!

[@theshipwreckarchives]

The Batavia is such an incredible story, and a painfully tragic one. We were talking yesterday about how shipwrecks seem to bring out the most extreme human behavior, both the best and the worst.

[@RF24]

This is good stuff

[@ripwednesdayadams]

Just goes to show that history is often written by unscrupulous individuals acting in their own personal interest regardless of the actual truth. Luckily there was evidence to disprove that nonsense. Great video as always.

[@charliekezza]

Always listen to the locals. The locals did an amazing job the captain however such a selfish man.

[@theshipwreckarchives]

The palatine ships offer so many examples of terrible and exploitive shipping practices. We keep meaning to do others but there always seems to be so many stories to tell and so little time

[@velezdragon3574]

My German ancestors came over in 1858