Real Life Creepy Ghost Ships

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These four ships were each abandoned but continued to sail with nobody at the wheel! The history of the ocean is full of mysteries and many remain unsolved. What caused the crews of some of these ships to abandon their posts? Theories range from mutinies to pirates and the Soviet Union!
Oceanliner Designs explores the design, construction, engineering and operation of history’s greatest vessels- from Titanic to Queen Mary and from the Empress of Ireland to the Lusitania. Join maritime researcher and illustrator Michael Brady as he tells the stories behind some of history's most famous ocean liners and machines!
0:00 Introduction
0:31 SS Baychimo
4:57 Carroll A Deering
8:15 Kobenhavn
11:31 MV Joyita

[@SherlocksLeftNipple]

I appreciate that the Baychimo's story is that of a friendly ghost ship just drifting around, occasionally saving people from storms over the course of her 38+ year adventure. Can't blame the little lady for deciding she wasn't done sailing yet.

[@cavemandelta]

I mean...what an absolute beast, right?

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

"Ice couldn't contain me, neither can f l a m e s ."

[@__-fm5qv]

Her creators must have been very proud to have built a ship that would survive such conditions without any maintenance.

[@WarFoxThunder]

Ikr!

[@indiekiddrugpatrol3117]

She's a testament to Swedish build quality

[@jacobhill3302]

I like to think Baychimo is still out there, living its best life

[@GraemeCree]

After a century of water buildup every time it rains, it must be long gone. It's amazing it floated as long as it did.

[@Broski1318]

@@patduch636 S N O W

[@Broski1318]

@@patduch636 You’re failing to realize that it snows more than it rains up there. It does this because it is very cold.

[@averydavis5741]

@patduch636 snow is frozen rain, it too weighs a lot and when said snow melts if the ship traveled south then guess what that is sitting watter. So yes he is right and you are wrong snow = rain just frozen Jesus man

[@averydavis5741]

@patduch636 the snow would weigh it down and sink it too thats the point you two are either arguing while being on the same side or you somehow think snow won't sink a boat too

[@Rosie-yt8nd]

you mean to tell me the crew came back after months and saw the Baychimo still doing good but said "nah we'll leave her behind", then like a petty queen she stayed afloat for 38+ years in some notoriously terrible conditions that usually wreacks havoc on ships, without help of a crew, and the company was like "nah, we'll leave her." goddamn thats one sturdy ship, i hope they took those blueprints and was like "this, this is the secret formula". how sad it is that she was abandoned while being so perfect for so long, i hope she had her best retirement vacation

[@KaienKuran]

She said "Watch me I'm gonna go sail on my own!" 😂

[@TokyoBlue587]

I love that the Baychimo ended up inadvertently saving the lives of other people in the Arctic, before going on her merry way…

[@PassionPi]

A nautical Littlest Hobo

[@Giddog40]

Props for not including the Mary Celeste, a story I’m sure most people are tired of hearing about on these kinds of lists

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

Fun fact, I lived for 14 years in the Azores, lived in Portugal and never, ever did I encountered any local reference to the Mary Celeste, although the ship was found here. So much has been said about this ship but it seems to have had absolutely no impact locally.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

And the Cyclops

[@m.streicher8286]

Still included the Carrol a deering tho

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

Sorry, idk ships that well, what is the Mary Celeste?

[@Polarisuma]

@@chicagotypewriter2094 a ghost ship

[@Saukko31]

"It is now very likely that the ship has finally sunk." You should have added, "Or has it?" there.

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Hahªªª! With appropriately dark orchestral chord being struck...

[@Matt..S]

DUN DUNN *DUUUUUNNNNN*😲😱

[@Levy_Wilson]

For some reason I just love the idea that a ship can just drift aimlessly for years without anyone on board.

[@iamrichrocker]

Mike..you seem like a person most of us would love to sit around a table and talk for hours on end..you have that charismatic affect that draws people in..and the passion of your topic/subjects comes through on every video..well done Mate..you deserve so much more..and thanks for all of your efforts..

[@lemagicbaguette1917]

Absolutely.

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

If that ever happens, drinks on me!

[@SofaKingShit]

You should probably never meet your heroes.

[@danielcallender8649]

I know Mike and he's a top bloke

[@popaandrei9982]

Amen to that. I'm at work and can't stop listening to his stories about ships.

[@endermanwithalowercasee]

Ghost ships and missing ships are some of my favorite topics ever

[@chroniccycles9424]

This topic has been on of my favorites for a long time!

[@usa5893]

Fr

[@SR_superior_1000]

Especially underrated ships, instead of ships like Mary Celeste

[@Broski1318]

I think ships and planes in the lakes and oceans of the earth are cool. A good example is the Navy Bomber in Lake Washington. I think there’s a F4U Corsair in Lake Washington too.

[@tuxedotservo]

A possible explanation for the Joyita not having cargo is that it was thrown overboard in an attempt to lighten the ship after she started taking on water.

[@marhawkman303]

Yeah, I do have to wonder about that. What was the cargo even?

[@tuxedotservo]

@@marhawkman303 "four tons of cargo, including timber, medical supplies, food, and 80 empty oil drums"

[@marhawkman303]

@@tuxedotservo that's not something I could see getting thrown overboard quickly... and 80 empty barrels? with lids on them? It's notable the cargo was not found. Where did it go?

[@tuxedotservo]

@@marhawkman303 I was thinking the opposite. I think the hardest thing would be the oil barrels, but if the crew was properly motivated - in other words, trying to stop the ship from sinking - I think they could do it. What we don't know is if the barrels were fully sealed, since they were empty.

[@marhawkman303]

@@tuxedotservo Yeah, but one of my observations is that some of that stuff sounds like it would float when thrown overboard. which goes back to the question of why it was not found. sure, the ship was adrift quite a while before found, but...if it's afloat... it's... somewhere.

[@chrisbarnett5303]

After recently re-watching Titanic I stumbled on this channel and have been going down a rabbithole of ships and maritime history. Ghost ships, vanished ships and rogue wave encounters have especially captivated me. These ghost ships always bring me back to reading Rime of the Ancient Mariner in high school

[@jack0cat]

You are not alone on that one buddy. What an exquisite channel.

[@TopImpressiveLine]

I've heard of the SS Baychimo. Her story is probably one of the most confusing disappearances in History.

[@marhawkman303]

Yeah, it's weird hearing of a vessel be abandoned, and left to sink.... and failing to sink.

[@TopImpressiveLine]

@@marhawkman303 I agree

[@nkt1]

It seems pretty straightforward, it was a very strong ship that just floated around, never managing to escape a cold, icy location. It wasn't easy to locate and salvage it, and probably not worth the time and effort. The Joyita's disappearance, and the fate of its crew, is much more intriguing.

[@annamacdonald5328]

There's actually a story of a ghost ship where I'm from in PEI. In the Northumberland Strait ( The water separating us from Nova Scotia) for some 200 years people have spotted a 3 or 4 mast schooner that's on fire. As they watch it either completely burns or sinks. People have also seen ghostly figures of the crew trying to save their ship. Not sure if there was ever a real burning ship, or just us locals going crazy 😂

[@imperialweimarball]

That would be the Young Teazer privateer schooner that was captured by the British during the war of 1812 but was set on fire by one of the crew to prevent capture.

[@karenc4544]

I remember reading about this in Bluenose Ghosts by Helen Creighton…so many amazing nautical ghost stories!

[@NonsensicalNauticalRambings]

These ships are the most curious for me. They are usually abandoned, yet seem to circumnavigate the globe. They are only seen by a lucky few people, before they vanish, never to be seen again. Great topic Mike.

[@mbvoelker8448]

Thank you SO much for not even mentioning the Mary Celeste, which has been done over and over and over. I'd love to have more videos about other less well-known ghost ships.

[@gcrav]

Some years ago, while reading about maritime legends, I read a reference to a sighting of an intact sailing ship that had apparently been abandoned in a cove somewhere in the archipelago of southern Chile, IIRC. Its rigging had been colonized by those green bioluminescent bacteria, giving it a spectral appearance. The sailors thought they were seeing something supernatural and they got the hell out of there. The incident became one of the possible "Flying Dutchman" sightings.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

The Baychimo was a testament to Hamburg German Blohm & Voss shipbuilders.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Good one Mike! Who doesn't like a good ghost ship story? And today we get four! All I have to say Baychimo was one tough ship! Wouldn't it be something if they found it once more? 🤩 Congratulations on your five-year anniversary! Well done!

[@marcuscoquer5958]

I love the story of the Baychimo. I hope it is found.

[@Historymaker-2001]

I've always been fascinated by the Baychimo, and can't help but wonder what construction secrets and weather conditions she might have had to allow her to remain afloat for so long, unmanned, unmaintained.

[@m.streicher8286]

MV Joyita deserves more attention. Truly the most puzzling ghost ship.

[@christianlederer5668]

In regards to the Joyita's radio being on the "International Marine Distress Signal," that is not unusual by todays standards. All ships are supposed to be monitoring emergency VHF channel 16 at all times. If you found a derelict today and somehow the power was still on, it would have at least one radio on 16. I'm not sure if it was any different in the Joyita's day.

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

Hi Oceanliner Designs crew! No joke, I really have used Squarespace for years. Its a great tool to make websites that pop. Head to squarespace.com/oceanlinerdesigns to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using he code oceanlinerdesigns If you make aa new Sqarespace website why not share it in the comments on this post? :) Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@Wombattlr]

Remember to pin this!

[@TrinitysTalons]

@@Wombattlr he forgot

[@irefusetoaskmydoctorifyour6401]

It would be wild if they found the resting place of the SS Baychimo. It would be even more wild if they found it still floating around!

[@mikoto7693]

I can’t help but hope that it’s still floating around out there and we find it one day.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

I'd never heard of these, very interesting! The Kobenhavn was a beautiful ship. Thanks Mike!

[@Sassymouse88]

Agreed! Sails for daaaayz!

[@sourgummiez]

I always think this when I watch your videos but never comment. I know it may not seem like it’s a big deal but I absolutely love your aesthetic. Your style and your clothes, hair, accent and your vibe, just the whole way you come across, it always reminds me of a nice young man working in the titanic or another old ship! Like one of the men working in the hallways or dining room in first class, I love it and it adds so much to your video for some reason! I love your channel 😊

[@fredblonder7850]

But has anyone met him in real life? Perhaps he died aboard Titanic, and now haunts KZbin to prevent further tragedies.

[@Dyl_an956]

Hello Mike!! I have always loved your videos and Historic Travels. Keep up the good work!!

[@A_Red_Pyramid]

Great video Mike! As much as I like to research this topic, somehow I'd missed the story of the Kobenhavn, so thanks for that! Hopefully there's a part two at some point.

[@keithdavis9897]

I LOVE the story of The Baychimo.................it's fascinating.

[@BoberMcBoberson]

I absolutely love your channel! I have always been fascinated by ships and the sea. There are just so many stories, and the way you tell them, makes me want to learn more!

[@ianmc87]

The København was a beautiful ship. I like that painting at 10:38

[@k9killer221]

The ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman" inspired a whole opera by Wagner. Clearly it has the public's imagination. I even made a model of that ship, complete with spooky luminescent paint.

[@CJM-rg5rt]

I read into the Carroll A. Deering, the captain and first mate (his son) were very good but were dropped off before Rio because the captain got very ill so the company hired a retired captain to take over in Delaware. When they made it to Rio the captain met an old friend and told him that he didn't trust the crew (made up almost entirely of Scandinavians) and then when they stopped for supplies in Barbados the first mate got drunk and was heard saying he'd kill the captain and was arrested. I think something went down and whoever survived probably made it to shore (or meant to) and started a new life in North America. Too many people died to explain it away so the remainder ditched.

[@nigelbond4056]

Some fascinating mysteries there Mike. Great video, I hope you can do more on this subject 👍

[@TJ-928]

The amount of passion and research you include in your videos made me subscribe. You're so consistent and I look forward to your content and videos I've not yet seen :)

[@Lexster918]

I love how much effort and professionalism you put into your videos. 👍

[@johnnycaldwell8281]

this channel is slowly becoming one of my favorite channels I really enjoy listening to Mike's stuff. On the other hand every time I see a video about ghost ships I play the have I heard about this one already game.

[@Toltec77]

It’s always amazing when you upload!

[@mk869]

My father worked for the EA Coxon Co. in Apia in the 1960s. They are the ones who had chartered the Joyita to make the run to Tokelau and owned most of the cargo. Heard all about it from Kurt and Ainslie Von Reiche (the owners of the company) as a small kid when we lived there. Kurt was a prominent businessman who co-founded Polynesian Airlines (now Samoa Airline) and later managed the government owned WESTEC (Western Samoa Trust Estates Corp) which ran agricultural lands confiscated from Germans at the beginning of WW I. Samoa has some fascinating history.

[@BeamoGame_n]

I’ve come back to this channel a few times and every time no disappointment, I don’t know what it is but the history and your way of story telling is just so interesting and good

[@philtkaswahl2124]

I'd known about three of these before, but this was the first time I'd heard of the MV _Joyita._ Also, congrats on the channel reaching five years!

[@LucaColaMusic]

Hi Michael! I love your drawings of ocean liners (specifically the Lusitania and Chusan) and I've been wanting to ask for ages, what software do you use to design and illustrate the liners. Thank you :)

[@pippinisawesome52]

The Deering story had my mom and I beside ourselves. We live like 45 minutes from Norfolk and my mom grew up near Hatteras! She grew up on all the stories and legends from the area (the big one was Blackbeard) but she knows a ton of other stories from other times from the area. She didn’t know this one and she thought it was really cool!

[@Maritime_History]

Great video as always! Love the background music you used. Adds a lot to the ambiance of ghost ships.

[@Chicagojerry44]

As usual, you're sight is the greatest. Love hearing about these lost ships....

[@rougeneon1997]

These types of stories are always so fascinating! Thank you.

[@chegeny]

Nice one. I enjoy a good ghost story. So many souls lost to the deep, so many tragic tales that shall remain a mystery. Congrats on your fifth anniversary.

[@ardiffley-zipkin9539]

Great video and presentation. Love your channel. Thanks, Mike !

[@johnpexton3614]

I just discovered your channel and it’s quite interesting how you describe these ships.

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Mr. Brady, Seriously spooky stuff here. These astonishing accounts remind us that, in spite of our best efforts and the ever-increasing technological capabilities we have at our disposal, that we are no match for the Sea and must always treat it with tremendous respect. I do believe that you are quite right in assuming that Baychimo has ended her long voyage to the ocean's floor. However, part of me is hoping that, against all odds, she somehow persists... I was absolutely delighted and not one bit surprised to discover, while watching an earlier Q & A video, that you share with me a love of the beautiful, heroic, and much-lamented Awatea. It's puzzling to me that she isn't better known. I imagine that with her tragically short service life that relatively few people had the chance to sail on her. Then there was that Major Historical Event, in which she met her untimely end, that tended to overshadow everything else. That she went down fighting heroically, a warrior punching far above her tonnage, is perhaps some small comfort. What an exquisite beauty she was, though. Few ships before or since had such harmonious, well-balanced and timeless lines. Bloody fast, too! I've read that she made 26 knots or better on several occasions. When you consider that her waterline length was not much more than half of many slower ships, that's truly impressive, to say the least. You know where I'm going with all of this, don't you? Dare I hope for an Awatea video in the not-too-distant future? I can certainly think of no one who could come even close to being as perfect as you for telling her story. Until next time, Fair winds and following seas!

[@odincamus3197]

Been watching this channel for months now but I never actually subscribed. I was watching so much that the algorithm kept your videos in my recommendations. Hearing about your channels 5 year anniversary, I'm gonna be subscribing to you officially! Keep going man. Never give this up!

[@craigpeter4794]

Another brilliant production. 4 ships most of us will have never heard of but will now never forget thanks to Oceanliner Designs.

[@kurtborkman9472]

I Love these, I too go to sea for work, and I really appreciate the amount of research you put in to these videos.

[@thesteelrodent1796]

According to the official Danish report on SS København, she was actually headed for Adelaide, not Melbourne, and is believed to have gone under while crossing the south point of Africa. A rather important detail about the ship, is that her five main masts were made of steel and she had a diesel engine, so she wasn't likely to have broken a mast, and it would've taken severe damage to the rigging and the diesel engine+propeller to stop her from moving under own power. The massive rigging is however suspected to have been the cause of her loss, as the large amount of sails would have been difficult and time consuming to trim if the weather suddenly turned violent, so she is suspected to have capsized as the strong winds overwhelmed the sails. For that reason her replacement, SS Danmark, was built with three masts and 1/3 the area of sails, and also got a steel reinforced hull with extra ribs. Worried that she would suffer the same fate as her predecessor, SS Danmark has been continously upgraded over the years, so she nowadays has GPS navigation, satellite phones, and basically everything you'd expect to find on a modern ship

[@viv7677]

YOOO I’m so excited I recently discovered your KZbin channel and I’ve loved it so much this is my first video I’ve been here for!!!!

[@brandycarter9829]

Mike! I recently discovered your channel thru Part-Time Explorer, & I've gotta say- you're killing it! You're knowledgeable, pleasant to listen to, and your passion for this subject clearly comes through in your videos. And, well, it definitely doesn't hurt that you're also pleasant to look at- that beauty mark on your face gets me every time, lol! Cheers mate- keep on keepin on!

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

Haha thanks for watching Brandy!

[@funnelvortex7722]

An interesting disappearance that little know about is Le Griffon, she was the first ship that was built (and lost) on the Great Lakes, she disappeared in Lake Michigan on her maiden voyage and has not been found.

[@KiLLKiNDLY]

Great video dude! Finally hit the sub button, your videos are always entertaining and well presented

[@acapluco7167]

I admire your work so much. Keep it up mate, greetings from Poland

[@jonlabonte6168]

Love your content man keep it coming

[@TaylorDrummer]

Love your videos mate!. Really fascinating and I take a lot from them. Your mate across the ditch!!

[@davidj5718]

Really enjoy your content Mike thanks

[@JShips46]

Awesome video mike as always! I have a suggestion. The halifax explosion

[@richardjohnson4238]

Mike, I have enjoyed every video of yours I've seen. Keep up the good work.

[@janinesunshine4998]

Learned so much watching your videos. I'm very much a landlover yet ships and especially those of the 'ghost ship' variety is just so fascinating. Spend my childhood listening to stories about the ships lost at the Cape of Good Hope and the heroic Wolraad Woltemade.

[@dannygouthier856]

Exallent story telling!!!!

[@silasdense4725]

I did not skip your promotional part of your video. My nephew has started a bakery in Litchfield Michigan and I am going to suggest that he use your sponsor. Thank you for another great and informative video. Memphis Tennessee.

[@roadweary5252]

Bravo on another great video!

[@Graf.Heinrich.Von.Darkholme]

would love to see more Mysterious/Ghost Ships and Unusual/Weird Ships

[@danielarevalo6222]

The Copenhagen sailed from my hometown to yours! Great channel. I hope the cold Melbourne wind and rain isn’t too bad this winter regards

[@samrobinson1701]

Just visited your website, I love it! Once I have money to spend I definitely plan on purchasing stuff❤

[@MateuszMat.]

Thanks for another video. Your channel is very interesting. Keep going 🍻

[@TheHylianBatman]

I forgot about Joyita! Always great to be reminded of her! Ghost ships are so fascinating! Imagine seeing one, how eerie would that be?

[@morad5119]

Great video. I love those misteries. Cheers from Lille France

[@angusmcmahan5437]

Shout out to Marcus Irving for writing a concise, and yet fully detailed script for this one. On the ball as always, Sir.

[@simonesho-fan1122]

This channel is brilliant, reminds me of my childhood watching Ben Cropp shipwreck videos. Would love to see some videos on Aussie wrecks.🤞🏻

[@asylumental]

OH YEAAAHHH!!! This is a GREAT ides for a new series!!! Obviously this would have to include all the mysterious Bermuda triangle and dragon triangle incidents.

[@phlebgrl6064]

It took me a quite while to get to this video that is Actually about Real Ghost Ships, and I’m enjoying it tremendously! I went through so many other videos on this topic and was so disappointed. I also subscribed to your KZbin channel. Thanks for a great video!

[@gasmonkey_plays]

We're so early no one ever could have watched this video completely without skipping... Its a Great video so far btw!

[@StansGrandson]

What a Brilliant Birthday Present! Thanks for the Upload Mike!

[@CeltyIsLove]

Baychimo is one of my favorite ships because of her story.

[@1966wazza]

Hi Mike love your videos , informative, interesting and well presented . Could you do video on the SY Aurora ? It was ship that was significant in early Antarctic exploration with Mawson and with Shackleton. The SY Aurora also disappeared in 1918 and her fate is unknown .

[@MiSSYx8]

This subject is so bizarre and kind of creepy! The music alone scared me. But I always enjoy your history lessons, nonetheless. Your effort always shows :)

[@user-cg2hd7xq8z]

Squarespace sounds good but, congratulations on your Fifth Year Anniversary. Im new to your channel and, find it very interesting as well as, very well researched. Finally, you present yourself with knowledge in what you narrate. I look for your notifications continuously. Thank you for presenting.

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@LostShipMate]

Would it be possible for you to cover the Huron(1877) off the Diamond Shoals of North Carolina, or maybe the Steam Packet Pulaski(1838). It has a fairly interesting story. If you want more stories from the "Graveyard of the Atlantic", I recommend a book by the same name by David Stick. It covers all major/interesting wrecks in the infamous Diamond Shoals from the earliest records until 1952(books publishing date).

[@Dino14345]

You could also touch on ships from many periods of navel history from Blackbeard’s Queen Anns Revenge to the submarine U-352

[@nephthysnyx]

Thank you! I skipped the add lul. Love your videos!

[@benderbendingrofriguez3300]

Fun Fact: The MS Joyita's owner were Roland West, and Milton E. Beacon. The first one was a suspect on the 1935 murder of actress Thelma Todd, and the ship was named after Jewel Carmen.

[@aliinlondon]

Fascinating :)

[@kirstyhjort8515]

You know i have recently discovered Mike, all the videos..it would be a great table conversation so many other questions. I'd like to believe the baychimo is still drifting about living its best life. Though harsh reality kicks in and doubtful.

[@34LOLWTF]

I have myself under the belief that the Baychimo is just super sentient and decided never to be seen again. It's out there somewhere.

[@melissasheppard6674]

Thanks Mike!

[@Rocky91DTA]

Hey boss just subbed the othe day and wanted to say you siir are Brilliant god has definitely bless you and I pray he continues to love you vids never stop please ! God Bless

[@mbvoelker8448]

P.S. I have to wonder if the builder of the Baychimo got a lot of orders for ships built just like her given her proven durability.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

There was a ship identical to Baychimo, but it came from a German shipyard and it's last name was 'Rask', it was built in 1923 and scrapped in, I believe 1967.

[@mbvoelker8448]

@@ukaszwalczak1154 Thanks for the info.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

@@mbvoelker8448 Mind you, Baychimo was built in Sweden.

[@annelbeab8124]

Sweden or Germany? Another comment said Blohm&Voss which is a Germany company

[@GerardHammond]

excellent. thanks

[@SalMinella]

Have you ever heard people say that Australian used to be considered the finest form of English before RP came about? This accent is what they mean.

[@harrybracey2232]

Thanks!

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

That's so kind Harry, thankyou so very much for your support!

[@CaveJohnsonAperture]

Wow naval history/mystery channels on a roll

[@Milchreismitschoko2]

Very nice Video👍

[@dalekinthewater4708]

I think the creepiest ghost ship is the Orang Medan, the frozen bodies really do invigorate nightmare fuel

[@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowski]

if it weren't a complete fabrication it would freak me out too.

[@wyattrierson3967]

Oooh a small video on the ss octavius maybe?