The Sinking of the Carl D. Bradley!

In this video we tell the story of the sinking of Carl D Bradley, a great lakes freighter that sank on Lake Michigan in 1958.
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[@SierraRailway]

Just so you know, “Queen of the Lakes” is a title given to the current longest ship in Great Lakes service. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a Queen of the Lakes when she was launched, usurping the title from the Bradley. The current Queen of the Lakes is the MV Paul R. Tregurtha at 1,013 and a half feet.

[@HistoricTravels]

didnt know that, thanks. Im only just recently started studying great lakes shipwrecks. The Bradley has one of scariest stories in all of maritime history.

[@keneniahwilliams4374]

​@@HistoricTravelsThat's nothing compared to the SS Daniel J Morrell

[@xXSpartan029Xx]

@@HistoricTravelsHopefully more great lakes stories coming!! Loved this video

[@SierraRailway]

@@HistoricTravelsit’s all good, gotta start somewhere! I recommend looking up Jeff Thomas, “The Great Lakes History Guy”. He has several fantastic video presentations on various notable shipwrecks on the lakes. One of my favorites is the SS Eastland, the deadliest wreck on the lakes with over 800 lives lost, right at the dock while it was being loaded. Fascinating stories, every bit as interesting as the transatlantic liners, IMO.

[@LukeArnold-yt4dq]

Ive seen this Paul R tergurtha in real life. It is massive!

[@trreb1]

Many years ago I met 1 of the survivors from the Bradley at a museum in Rogers City. It was awesome to hear his story and after all the years from the sinking he still missed and thought of his ship mates often.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

Most likely, Frank mays he passed away from old age, not that long ago within the last 5 to 7 years ago

[@MarTimator._.5]

Was anyone arrested or prosecuted for what happened? no one was held responsible?

[@nate9331]

@@MarTimator._.5arrested for what?

[@quagshred]

@@MarTimator._.5for what?

[@OFFICIALFazegyyGaming]

@@MarTimator._.5 it was a storm so i do not think its anyones fault that the water sank the ship. its just the water not any person.

[@matthewschoen9827]

As someone who lives in Indiana and works in Michigan, I forget how some people don't know just how crazy of an environment the Great Lakes are. whenever I hear a video explain things like the crazy winter weather or the fact that the lakes fully freeze over I have to stop myself from going, "well yeah, of course they do". Great Video

[@ClassicAndrew]

Lake Michigan does not fully freeze over.

[@gabriel7664]

I'm in Indiana about midway down, close to Ohio. It's wild hearing these stories but I have never even seen lake Michigan. I've been to Michigan and I've driven around (bypassed) Chicago. It's crazy how we live in the same state but have completely different experiences.

[@apollotuba]

Western New York here, had a similar instinctive "well, duh" reaction 😂

[@Maritime_History]

I absolutely love the music and animations used in this video. This video was very well presented. Keep up the great work. RIP to all those who went down with Carl D. Bradley on November 18, 1958. May They Never Be Forgotten.

[@Blue-Star-Line]

Really enjoyed teaming up for this one! A great video indeed!

[@12pagani]

Big old boats did a great video on this disaster but your more upbeat video and the animations made this a must see, even already knowing about this incident! Keep up the great work Sam!

[@Ohiotrucker1]

And Maritime Horrors did one too

[@PolishSpartan22]

Native of Rogers City here. My Nana's brother died on that ship and her cousin was one of the two survivors. I've heard about the Bradley since I was a small child.

[@Stereostupid]

Love these great lakes documentaries they never get old!!the Bradley ,Morrell, and the mighty Fitz!

[@dexchex5685]

My great uncle was one of the Original survivors that made it to the raft Gary Strzelecki. he jumped off most likely due to hysteria he thought he could swim to shore he was also the one pulled onto the ship later only to pass away to hypothermia a tragic story. I loved the video and I’d recommend the museum in Rogers City you can see the original bell and artifacts pulled from the wreck and also a brief description from everyone on board the ship that night.

[@thecentralscrutinizer304]

The Daniel J. Morrell is another insane story like this one. I can’t get enough of Great Lakes freighter videos.

[@madisondean1074]

As a native Michigander, I've definitely have heard of the Carl D Bradley. Although I live closer to Lake Huron than Lake Michigan. I'm surprised that not many people know about this ship. If you're from Michigan or from one of the states surrounding the Great Lakes, the name Carl D Bradley will sound familiar. RIP to all the lives lost on the Carl D Bradley and on many others vessels that have sank into the depths of the Great Lakes! It is up to us as a community to keep their memories alive. Where would the maritime history community be if we hadn't done that?!

[@christinagowan8116]

Hello fellow Michigander

[@rudijoris9555]

Freighters of that era suffered from a bad mixture of the metals that wrte used that made them weaker in the extreme cold. From some of the information that i have read videos i have watched. Good video! Thanks

[@margretep6075]

I well remember the spooky story that occurred that night. There is a legend on the upper Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, in areas where the Chippewa were the prominent tribe) that an Indian drum will be heard when a ship goes down, beating out the number of lives lost. Rogers City was the home port of the Bradley, and people there claimed they heard the drum repeatedly beat 33 times that night, long before the actual number of deaths was known. The story was not repeated when the Fitz was lost--one might say that perhaps this was because the home port of the Fitz wasn't in Chippewa lands. I was 16 at the time (I grew up in Lansing MI) and I remember this story on radio news the night of the sinking.--Jerry Pinkepank

[@Darienlover999]

I have been so excited for this one. I live on Beaver Island, the largest island in the archipelago Gull Island is in. We had the pleasure of Frank Mays coming here multiple times to tell his story. The Beaver Island Historical Society produced a filmed interview with him, and I'm so glad they've recorded this harrowing piece of Great Lakes history.

[@KoolDog570]

Excellent video Sam! You should do one on the Daniel J Morrell from 1966 - not only did she break in two, but her stern section - deck lights lit & all - steamed past the bow and sailed on its own another 4-5 miles...... that's got to be the wildest Great Lakes freighter story, next to the famous "Big Fitz" Edmund Fitzgerald

[@superbluhedgehog1]

Only the Watchman, Dennis Hale, survived the sinking of the Morrell. In an interview, he made mention of the fact that he thought that another ship had come along to aid in the rescue, only to realize it was the stern section, still under power, sailing on.

[@hoppes9658]

@@superbluhedgehog1 Hale only had skivvies and a pea coat on.

[@hoppes9658]

…and life preserver.

[@debbiejarus1723]

I'm a Great Lakes "boatnerd "..... thank you for covering the Bradley! I cannot get enough stories involving our Great Lakes freighters.

[@keneniahwilliams4374]

To everyone who was wondering what the names of the survivors were. They were Frank Mayes and Elmmer Flemming

[@GR3G921]

What were their positions on the Carl D Bradley?

[@quagshred]

⁠​⁠@@GR3G921Frank Mayes was a Deck Watchmen and Elmer Flemming was a 1st Mate

[@fizzyvalkie1170]

I’m a big weather nerd, so this also happen with the Edmund Fitzgerald, on occasion, the Great Lakes can produce “Mini Hurricanes” were basically storms on the Great Lakes have the ability to gain Winds, hail, and even Tornadoes (And tornadoes have happened there called waterspouts) So the Great Lakes are basically just Sea’s something like the MS Estonia it gets caught it storms and sunk.

[@self-awaregunship6869]

No worries on the pronunciation of 'Manitowoc'. You got it. Milwaukee though, tripped you up. ;) Very good video Sam!

[@HistoricTravels]

Sigh, XD of course it happens when I let down my guard.

[@self-awaregunship6869]

@@HistoricTravels 😆

[@talesoftheinlandseas5063]

Bean man here. Thank you Sam for providing this fantastic video!

[@henryrondeau221]

Great video definitely worth the wait. The Great Lakes definitely have great ships that have sailed on them too. RIP the Bradley and all the people that went down with her. This video will keep the memory of the Bradley and the people on her alive. Amazing video.

[@georgemartin1436]

The Bradley, like many of the Great Lakes vessels that sank, were just "beaten on" with heavy loads and plenty of storms i my opinion. Also in common with most Great Lakes sinkings, this wreck of this vessel was found and looks very good (since no salt-water is involved)...

[@qadgopthemercotan]

Unfortunately, quagga mussels are devouring a lot of the formerly well preserved great lakes wrecks

[@thomasackerman5399]

The Great Lakes are chock full of wrecks, and they're often in great condition due to the very cold, fresh water. Some of them are centuries old. One of them, the luxury yacht Gunilda, is in such amazing shape, despite the fact that she's been on the bottom for over 112 years. Wood nearly perfectly intact, furniture made of wood that looks like it could just be cleaned up and used, wooden doors, much of the window glass in the deck houses unbroken. Fans and other fixtures with hardly any corrosion, and the hull with beautiful white paint and gilded gold on her bow. Her loss is one of those you could do a video on since it's a true example of hubris and how skimping on a bit of money in the short term cost much more in the long run.

[@rileybridgham1963]

I love this video Sam, RIP to all who went down with the Carl D. Bradley on November 18, 1958, the Gales of November came early for the former Queen of the Great Lakes.

[@Embryoooz]

Although I love everything Titanic, as a Michigander , this and the Fitzgerald videos hit differently! More of these please.

[@HistoricTravels]

Daniel J. Morrell is in the planning stages. :) Glad you liked the video.

[@AriKitsune19]

I've heard this ship before and it intrigued me since I live in Ohio near Lake Erie. I just never heard the full story and sinking before until now. Love your content, so thanks for that Sam! Also, rest in peace to all the lives lost on that day aboard the Bradley.

[@christinagowan8116]

As someone from Michigan i am loving the Great Lakes shipwreck videos. Please keep them coming.

[@PereMarquette1223]

It’s unfortunate that the Bradley, Cederville, and Morrell are all grossly forgotten and overshadowed while the Fitzgerald still resonates with everyone today.

[@butchs.4239]

"Just one more load" seems to be a contributing factor in a lot of Great Lakes shipwrecks. I imagine for the shipping companies that last run of the season seems worth the risk as the money made from it could substantially offset the operating costs of the ship. Maybe they'd be less likely to take the risk if they had family among the crews of the ships.

[@peytonsarcia-ohagan2543]

Hi Sam! Your videos are so informative and entertaining. I’m actually from Wisconsin so it’s interesting I’ve never heard of the Bradley. Keep up the great work 👍

[@Confederate_Mapping]

Great video Sam, one of my favorite freighters! Always happy to see a new video as well

[@adammedley1283]

I just dropped a sub, I really hope to see more of these Great Lake freighter videos with they animations, can’t wait to see more!

[@mikefochtman7164]

Grew up in Charlevoix, my folks remember that night (I was too young at the time). They watched the Sundew go out into the 'teeth' of that storm (she was homeported in Charlevoix). Legend of the Bradley in this area lives on even today.

[@everythinglakefreighters47]

Hey Sam! I’m so happy you are expanding your interests into lake freighters and the many historic stories of them. Fantastic job on the video and I hope to see more Great Lakes stories (trust me man, they’re the best)

[@rsjmaster108]

I’d love more stories of these ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes. Only just recently finding out how many ships and lives these bodies of water have taken.

[@JayStephens8]

Great video, cool to hear about the story of the Bradley R.I.P. to all the people who where lost

[@grahamgreene779]

I do love these videos, but i will just mention a channel for anyone who can't get enough of these types of wrecks. The channel is called "The Association of Lifelong Learners." The vid is called "There's Nothing You Can Do-Sinking of the Carl D. Bradley" and it's a recording of a talk given by Jeff Thomas on November 1, 2022, in Alpena, MI. He has given at least a few other talks on different wrecks, and they can also be found on youtube. Love your stuff Sam - please keep making the great stuff you normally do:)

[@artvandelay1099]

Minor correction, but The Bradley delivered limestone from the quarry in Rogers City MI, to customers all over the Great Lakes. It's home port was Rogers City, and she was dedicated to delivering limestone from that one quarry to their customers. The Bradley and her fleet mates were essentially owned by the quarry in Rogers City and were dedicated and purpose built for delivering for the quarry.

[@superiorlivingoutdoors.]

As a resident of northern Lake superior I take special interest in the tales of the great lakes, thanks for the informative presentation.

[@keith800]

Thank you for another interesting story👍 , it seems quite common for these ships to break in half properly due to there long thin construction and one feels for the crew struggling to servive in such cold conditions .

[@ceejay960]

Imagine seeing your rescue ship turnaround and leave you tossing about on a tiny life raft in the middle of a freezing cold storm!

[@maggiespeaks8555]

Nice video. However you got a major point wrong. The Sartori stayed on the scene even AFTER the Coast Guard cutter Sundew arrived at 22:40, only FIVE hours after the sinking and continued searching until 02:00 the next day for over 7 hours of search effort Times from the Coast Guard report. The Coast Guard searched for over 10 hours until they FOUND the survivors the next morning And as you noted, the storm kept getting worse all that time. The Sartori's captain was also a former German U-boat captain - always thought it was very cool he worked so hard to try and save the Bradley crew.

[@OceanLinersfan]

Awesome video Sam i live 25 minutes away from a Great Lakes fleater ship called the Col James M. Schoonmaker I go there ALL the time. It is in Toledo Ohio I hope you visit it some day it’s really fun. 🙂

[@NevadaKinsel]

Amazing Historic video historic travels

[@dominicb6267]

As a resident of green bay Wisconsin, these Great Lakes videos are always super neat to see. Thanks!

[@BigMork]

I remember watching this channel in middle school when it had 4 thousand subscribers I’ve started my second year of high school and this channel is huge now!!

[@nathanielovaughn2145]

That ANYONE survived is miraculous. Lake Michigan is cold afallyear round. I cant imagine how agonizing it is in November.

[@fatovamingus]

I'm really glad to hear you talking about the wrecks of the Great Lakes. Here's hoping that you continue and with longer videos.

[@Echo2-2]

Great Lakes shipping is a list of horrifying disasters. I hope to see more Great Lakes videos

[@vernongollobit4781]

Sam I’ve heard of The ship disaster a few days after I learned about the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster which The Carl .D Bradley and the Edmund Fitzgerald have similar fates to them ending up at the bottom of the lakes. Great video Sam keep up the great work Maritime historical.

[@drthrayjaxymaxy8017]

This channel has grown into something very special, thx dud, keep up the good work and you'll be rewarded deliciously.

[@taysezz]

Love your videos! Great work. ❤

[@johnramirez5996]

Haven't seen video before but live in Michigan born here. And ships that long and being on great lakes with high waves. They get so close together when coming at your shop. So if you catch wave wrong depending on cargo and load can snap in half enough to leak beyond repair or enough for catastrophic failure.

[@youpeopleareallinsane]

Thank you for the great storytelling! I've touched her propeller many times on my visits to Roger's City (if you're in Michigan it's a must visit. Charming nautical town). This detailed story gives that a lot more meaning.

[@grahamgreene779]

love these vids brah. I 've heard of this story. I can't remember if it was this one or the other famous Greeat Lakes sinking in the mid 1960's where the men off the boat thought another boat was in the area but it just happened to be the stern of the completely broken in half ship.

[@maxlevedgeful]

I think it was the Daniel J. Morell. A quite interesting story indeed. 🙂

[@grahamgreene779]

@@maxlevedgeful Thanks for the info!! Just an amazing, but also spooky picture of one half of a ship emerging out of the darkness bc it had broken in half. Also shows just how incredibly long these ships were.

[@lochquatch8896]

I've been waiting for great lakes ships! Thank you!

[@aviationking8588]

I used to watch your videos back in 2020 when I liked ships I loved your videos! I have moved on now to planes but your videos are still amazing! Keep up the good work Sam!

[@tsenkov]

Love your videos, man. Keep up the great work!

[@baychimo23]

Another great video, thank you Sam

[@user-xi6pg7fd8b]

Great job Sam just as good as part time explore

[@JohnK-ph3vw]

My mom was born and raised in Rogers City. She was in high school at the time the Bradley sank. As kids, she told us of the many shipwrecks-namely the Bradley and the Cedarville. She had told us of how the school gym had the caskets laid out for a few days as there wasn’t room at the funeral home. At the time, Rogers City had a population of about 3500-4000…and most of the men, if not farmers were working at the limestone quarry or were sailing the ships. Many fathers, sons and brothers sailed on the same ships together; a tragedy such as the Bradley had devastating effects on the city and the families.

[@shipbase]

At the Idle Hour hotel on Hardens Island, there was an oar from one of the lifeboat from the Bradley over the fireplace. I was 8 years old when I saw it. That's when I first heard about the Bradley. A excellent video!

[@jimhorton2996]

New subscriber, this man gives a great narrative to his videos, he is very informative and entertaining!!! That's a sad story, RIP to all those sailors that didn't make it!!, it met the same fate as the Edmond Fitzgerald!!! I would have quit working on that ship as soon as I found out they were finding buckets of sheared off bolts holding the ship 🚢⚓ together

[@thethesaxman23]

I swear it's always "supposed to be the last voyage"

[@thythethy9590]

Man, I Always liked your content! Would love some more Great Lakes Stuff, It Has Such A Neat History!

[@GreysonAlvarado]

Another great video by Sam! Keep it up!

[@shadowlord4569]

You should check out the story of SS Pendleton and SS Fort Mercer. It’s one of the most interesting yet horrific sinking stories I’ve come across

[@MarcusPlayz-wj7tx]

That’s really cool you’re collaborating with the people that are making the titanic 2

[@marcosbrandon8082]

Hi! Love your videos 😊 Keep up the great work

[@poorman973]

I just got back from my first ever visit from lake Michigan a little more than a week ago. We went to west beach at pretty much the southern point of the lake and the wind coming off the lake was absolutely freezing.

[@paulsolin-ql5il]

I enjoy your videos. And as a resident of manitowoc wisconsin. You pronounced it right

[@r-saint]

Very interesting design of the ship with compartments on the stern and on the bow. Rarely I see that, almost never in fact.

[@GyrosWorld]

The vessel was due in Manitowoc for a refit including new cargo holds and the addition of a bulkhead midship. Ironically, if she had this bulkhead originally she likely could have survived the storm.

[@LukeArnold-yt4dq]

I live right bye lake michigan. I was waiting for this video😊

[@user-qd4qf2tj2f]

I enjoy your videos and was wondering if you would make one on the Andrea Gail a sword boat that sunk in The perfect Storm in 1991 I believe

[@Cadet1008]

Like the Fitzgerald, the also dove on this wreck to retrieve the ship's bell. And they ring it annually for each crewmember on the Bradley in Rogers City. Maybe you're familiar with Ric Mixter's work, he has several interviews/documentaries of the survivors of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

[@jen-a-purr]

Love your videos Sam. Love seeing your channel doing so so well. #FloridaSubscriber ❤

[@ThomasWLalor]

THUMBS UP for the quality presentation (down, however, for the tragedy. So saddened then, and for the following Fitzgerald -- similar conditions of sinking. )

[@kostascholas8751]

Hey there same!

[@geraldwalker7609]

5:26 Manitowoc - Nailed it buddy!

[@paulboger3101]

Thanks for this interesting story! Keep up the good work!!

[@johnthompson4067]

This disaster would not have happened had the government insisted on the Bradley being repaired before heading out. Also, the shipping season should have been ended by law in the Great Lakes by November 1, as this seems to be when the worst storms occur.

[@Oceanliner_nerd_1918]

Yessss im subbed to both you guys, BEST COLAB EVER!!

[@jen-a-purr]

I try to put myself in their position each time I hear these stories. Then it dawns on me, Jennifer, you get sea sick…I love the ocean. I would love the Great Lakes bc well they’re small oceans or so I’m told. But I got violently ill on a 6 hr gambling cruise from 6pm-midnight, I mean I didn’t even get to eat. It was calm seas too btw. 4 miles off Cocoa Beach’s coastline. The Cpt did a mean thing. He started back to port I got happy then turned back out to sea and I started to cry😂I’m horrified of getting on boats now. And lastly, I was sitting outside on a chair looking out into complete darkness, crying & noticed it got awfully cold. 34 degrees cold. And I thought man those people on Titanic must’ve felt hopeless in this crap…

[@simisback1869]

damn Sam... the quality of your videos are gettin better and better.... keep up the awesome work ma man

[@susanbelida6981]

❤ Nice job Sam!!

[@matthewcosta780]

There's also a similar situation to this with a ship called the Daniel J. Morrell you should do a video about. Also, a video about the T2 ships, the Pendleton, Fort Mercer, Marine Electric, Marine Sulphur Queen, and Poet. Not sure if you did one about the Edmund Fitzgerald as well, but that would also be nice if not. Also, the Alaska Ranger, El Faro, and Morro Castle

[@theWanderersnotebook]

Brick Immortar and Big Old Boats & The Raven's Eye did videos on the latter two disasters but I would be extremely interested in Sam's take on them.

[@Green_eating_machine]

This is…..😳the best video I’ve ever seen

[@brave_jedi9437]

I read a little while ago that of the 35 crewmen, 33 died in the sinking; 23 were from Rogers City, Michigan, a town with 3,873 residents. Twenty-three women were widowed and fifty-three children became fatherless. Two Carl D. Bradley wives had children on the way. It was such a tragedy that their families had to endure when losing their loved ones.

[@shawnkeith1164]

And only a few years later the Cedarville - another Rogers City boat - would be lost due to collision near Mackinac Island, with more of the local sailors lost.

[@talesoftheinlandseas5063]

What is even worse is that several more of those sailors were from around northeastern Michigan. Only 4 crewmen were from elsewhere. It was a horrific loss for a tight knit community.

[@vonmenfred3995]

758th viewer And good job my favorite lake freighter

[@leosypher9993]

(im from the area, my grandfather was on the Richard Trimble, doesnt matter too much) the term "Queen of the lakes" is just what we call the longest ship on the lakes at any given time, our current queen is the Paul R. Tregurtha, this title has been shared by many ships, including this ship the Carl D. Bradley and the famous Edmund Fitzgerald

[@happym3mes]

probably the greatest collab ever

[@were-owlinwisconsin4441]

Thought that name sounded familiar. I just read about this incident quite recently in one of Frederick Stonehouse's books about Great Lakes shipwrecks. By the way, you pronounced "Manitowoc" just fine, but the "L" in "Milwaukee" is silent.

[@charlesbland1073]

Great work on the documentary.

[@mckinleysku4271]

I live a half hour away from manitowoc. You said it right 👍

[@michaelmyke3349]

Remember, those inspectors who pronounced the ship 'seaworthy' in April 1958 for the rest of the season were PAID to say this. If those inspectors were allowed to keep their jobs after the sinking, that is another tragedy right there.

[@clayfoster8234]

Brittle cold fracture was a problem with many ships built around the same time as the Bradley, the Morrell and Townsend being two prominent examples. In short they weren’t made of the best steel as it had large inclusions (impurities) that made them much less flexible in very cold water. Over time as redundancy was lost in the system due to age, lack of maintenance, metal fatigue, they had a nasty habit of suffering catastrophic failure in very cold high load moments.

[@nightrider6769]

It seems that these ships aren't in as good a condition as you would like to think. It seems that a lot of these ships are suffering. From what I call maintenance they didn't get any or very little and these stupid owners are so full of greed that they pushed the limits of the ship and the time of year to always get that one last load in. If they'd use their damn head and lean on the side of safety, maybe some of these ships would still be alive and these people would still be alive. I'm sure there will be more because owners are always full of greed wanting more and more and more.

[@atomicenergysociety6038]

As always, great video. Still waiting for you to go on a speaking tour! You would be so interesting and entertaining! Best wishes!

[@tannerjones9687]

Very good video thank you 👍

[@KevinField-yv6tb]

Manitowoc, yup I'm from Wisconsin. You said it right. It's native American, meaning land or home of the spirit. ;) Cool video man thanks!