The Worst Maritime Disasters in History

[@ToptenzNettop10]

Go to nordvpn.com/toptenz to get a 2-year plan + 1 month free with a huge discount!

[@slcpunk2740]

It's lucky the Halifax explosion happened over 100 years ago. Today across the harbour is the city of Dartmouth with another 1/3 the population of Halifax and everyone would have their camera phone out. 🔥💥💀

[@terryarmbruster9719]

900 channel cable package? I already get 901 from your YT channels tyvm.

[@manifestationsofasort]

Part 2? I think the Costa Concordia and Sewol ferry should be mentioned, as well as the MS Estonia. The MS Estonia is particularly interesting and worth reading about.

[@bebben86]

I was 10 when MS Estonia sank. Remember it like it was almost yesterday. The whole room got slient when we found out and a friend of mine travelled with the ship just 2 days prior.

[@roahir]

My fave teacher at the time almost boarded MS Estonia but on the night of her husband got food poised so they didn't go.

[@duncancurtis1758]

And the Noronic.

[@abiflynn46]

And RMS Empress of Ireland it’s one of the worst in Canadian history

[@EmilyJelassi]

My great grandparents lived in Halifax during the explosion. We have 4 beautiful crystal vases that they had on their mantle.. all 4 have a crack, but none broke

[@stoffls]

As you did not only include peacetime sinkings, you left out the Wilhelm Gustloff, the worst confirmed sinking of a ship. It was torpedoed in January 1945 in the Baltic Sea and the ship was full of refugees. No exact numbers are available but the death toll ranks somewhere between 4000 and 9000.

[@highlanderknight]

Really thought this one would be in there. Research mistake or some bizarre omission.

[@keyrousse]

Yeah, I was surprised it wasn't there.

[@xsh4dowfallx]

All of the entries were ships that sank or were destroyed not by direct conflict with another ship. Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk by a Soviet submarine

[@heinobrohan9430]

The were only Germans so the children one woman on the refugee ship are no victims. During the evacuation the Russians we’re sinking more ships the death toll for 3 refugees ships were over 20000 people.

[@tOGGLEwAFFLES]

​@Cancer McAids it was a mercy killing, putting N*zis out of their misery.

[@LennoxMatt1]

Once again the Empress of Ireland gets overlooked. Higher death toll than Titanic and sunk in just 14 minutes

[@kimhohlmayer7018]

If there is a part two as others have suggested, there is the Empress of Ireland and The General Slocum. Both had terrific losses of life.

[@Imabirdhaww]

Your number one here I think is a great video idea: 10 times nature changed the course of history.

[@Ezol1]

That's a great idea for a video! The Viking settlement in Canada probably stopped by the small Ice Age comes to mind :)

[@russelllomando8460]

How about the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska - 11 million gallons. And the Deepwater Horizon platform disaster - 134 million gallons.

[@GeorgieB1965]

While those were interesting, he was concentrating on loss of life. Valdez was animal lose of life, and I'm not sure on the loss of human life on Deepwater.

[@russelllomando8460]

@@GeorgieB1965 OK...valid counter.

[@nathalie_desrosiers]

@@GeorgieB1965 Deepwater was not technically a boat. 11 deaths.

[@dinomonzon7493]

The MV Dona Paz/MV Vector disaster of 1987 was of such magnitude that it was cited in the Guinness Book of World Records. One incident that should’ve been cited was the Torrey Canyon disaster where tons of fuel were vented into sea, all because its CO overrode his First Mate’s advice about the infamous Seven Stones, on which the ship ran aground.

[@GrinderCB]

Kind of surprised the Indianapolis disaster wasn't included. The ship that carried parts of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to Tinian and then headed south on its next assignment was torpedoed by a Japanese sub and sank. Most of the crew survived the sinking but treaded water for days waiting to be rescued, and many were killed by sharks during that time. To top it off, the captain was court-martialed on a charge of negligence in failing to set a zig-zag course to avoid submarines, and the captain of the sub testified in the case. It was shown that Captain McVey had not been properly advised of sub activity in the area but he was still found responsible. His crew stood by him but he committed suicide some time later.

[@piglet1242]

He did mention at the beginning of the vid that he wasn't going to be including any military disasters. However, it is considered the largest shark attack in history.

[@seanmeade2364]

My grandfather's brother was on the Indianapolis. Very surprised to see it missing from the list as well.

[@ronniesbrain]

Was surprised that you didn't include the Eastman in the Chicago River

[@TrineDaely]

I was wondering if this would make the list! Have you checked out the Maritime Horrors channel?

[@CaptHollister]

Kind of expected the RMS Princess of ireland to make the list... And since you broke your own rule about sticking to peacetime disasters by bringing up the Kamikaze, then it would have been fair to mention the single biggest disaster in maritime history when a Soviet submarine torpedoed the Wilhelm Gustloff causing the death of between 9,000 and 10,000 mostly civilian refugees escaping the Soviet advance into Prussia. Edit: of course, I meant, RMS EMPRESS of Ireland, as correctly pointed out by MrWillcapone.

[@MrWillcapone]

Do you mean the Empress of Ireland ? The one that sank in Rimouski ?

[@CaptHollister]

@@MrWillcapone Yes. Empress, my bad.

[@cleverusername9369]

That is surprising, especially given it was peacetime and she sank in what, less than 15 minutes, I think?

[@themerlynn]

Kamikaze is japanese for "divine wind". The kamikaze pilots took their name from that historical storm.

[@demonicusa.k.a.theblindguy3929]

I'm kind of surprised that the R. M. S. Empress of Ireland didn't make this list.

[@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoff55]

I'm surprised your mom didn't make this list... Mr. Magoo... sir

[@rob1tnt]

Me too!

[@AllDayBikes]

I think I have seen Simon cover The Halifax Explosion on like 5 videos, and I like all of them haha.

[@johnrohloff8647]

The 1968 Wahine sinking in wellington harbour was the biggest marithtime disasters in new zealand history , if you do a top 10 on worst railway disaters in history the 1953 tangiwai rail disater would fit

[@martinbscott8815]

Definitely deserving more than a Part 2. Also, mention of the Princess Sophia, off the west coast of Canada.

[@muralamoomum8287]

9,000 wounded 2,000 dead In the Halifax explosion.. the saddest parts 1. The Capt. of the Mont Blanc survived, Capt. Le Medec he was sent back to France to face charges and had NONE, the Halifax Explosion is completely wiped from his sailing records and he even got a distinguished sailing award/medal for his actions during WW1. 2.A huge snowstorm blew into Halifax/Nova Scotia the night of Dec 6th and that killed a lot of people as well. Boston was one of the 1st places to send Nova Scotia relief after the explosion, hence why every Dec the people of Nova Scotia send the city of Boston it's city Christmas tree. It's a huge honor and its called "The tree for Boston". There is a set of Bells that ring every year on Dec 6th for the victims they were donated by Barbra Orr, who lost her entire family in the explosion. The after shocks were felt as far away as Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton (about 300/400 kms away) And windows broke in the town of Truro (100 kms away) The community of Richmond which was one of the worst effected/hit (kind of the ground zero) in the explosion, was rebuilt and called the Hydrostone District. However it has also been said that because of the amount of solders in Halifax at the time may have also helped with the rescue efforts. Many books can be found with more information and there was also a movie made about it called " A Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion"

[@colleenross8752]

Don't forget the heroics of Vince Coleman, who sacrificed himself to send messages to trains approaching the harbor to stay away

[@ToptenzNettop10]

Go to nordvpn.com/toptenz to get a 2-year plan + 1 month free with a huge discount!

[@lordMartiya]

Nitpick on the Kamikaze: the Mongols actually managed to land troops that were repelled, and repeatedly, due the Japanese knowing what they were facing and taking all the necessary precautions to insure the fight would happen on their terms. The typhoons arrived MONTHS after the initial landings, as the Mongols were still trying to land in force when the typhoon season started. Even then, during the second invasion the death toll could have been much lesser, except Kublai Khan sent an army too large for the oceangoing ships available and his generals complemented them with confiscated river boats, and where the oceangoing ships mostly survived the storm, as they were made with this kind of danger in mind, the river boats were wiped out.

[@billyyank2198]

Part 2 should include the Spanish treasure fleet. That sinking literally changed the course of history.

[@edgardner8539]

Simon, I expected an eye roll when mentioning the Titanic.

[@fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718]

Eh this is nothing, a colony ship bound for Proxima will hit a rogue interstellar asteroid at 20% lightspeed and kill 100k, only thing left will be a relatively small x-ray burst.

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

"Hrm, I wonder if we'll see the Halifax Explosion on this list; maybe not, most of its effects were felt on land, so it might not fall under 'maritime'" were my thoughts towards the end of entry #3. Oops!

[@jamesblake44]

It was two ships though I can see why you would think that

[@elliottprice6084]

The Halifax explosion was caused by two ships colliding. But i can see why some don't see it as a maritime disaster

[@chrisyanover1777]

@Alyssin Williams I seem to recall Simon did a whole video on the Halifax Explosion on one of his many channels. I am not sure which one off hand, but I recall he went into detail about it and I think the video was done fairly recently. Was that the one where 2 boats collided in Canada and one of the boats was carrying explosives. This started a fire on the boat with the explosives and although the crew successfully made it off the boat, many onlookers walked up to the shore to watch the what was going on and the fire when the fire finally reached the explosives and destroyed nearly half the town?

[@sherylcascadden4988]

The Halifax explosion is covered in depth by "The History Guy" about five months ago. I haven't figured out how to paste a link on my tablet, but "History Guy Halifax" in You Tube search brings it right up. Simon may have done one also, but I haven't found it yet.

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

To all those who replied: I know *what* the Halifax explosion is, but I appreciate the replies ;) I think I first read about it more than twenty years ago, courtesy of a friend who grew up and lives in Halifax. And yeah, Simon has an entire video of it somewhere, I'm guessing its Geographics or possibly Side Projects? Probably mentioned in a number of other TopTenz as well Take care everyone

[@wilting_alocasia]

Ooo I actually know about the Halifax! Watching Fascinating Horrors always proves useful!

[@flyboy152]

You’d think that after the first disaster, the Mongols would have planned their second invasion for when it wasn’t typhoon season.

[@vilstef6988]

In the aftermath of the Halifax explosion, there were probably thousands blinded by the flying glass.

[@rayraudebaugh5395]

My great-great uncle was on the Sultana after being released from the infamous Andersonville prison. Somehow he was one of the few who survived and was forever convinced that the explosion was caused by Confederate sabotage even though the most likely culprit was an overworked, undermaintained boiler.

[@franl155]

I read something ages ago that there was a maritime disaster before the Titanic with an even greater loss of life. I've been trying to find out more about this for ages, too, but keep getting steered on to the WW2 disaster where a refugee ship was sunk with great loss of life.

[@davidcentmeier2437]

Almost 10.000 died after the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff but when one sunk Titanic passenger weights more than 5 drowned german refugees, it doesn't make it into the list.

[@OrangeShellGaming]

Could it be the Tek Sing which sunk in the South China Sea in 1822 with possibly as many as 1500+ dead?

[@GeorgieB1965]

Maybe the General Slocum? Had over 1,000 people die, mostly women and children.

[@franl155]

@@OrangeShellGaming - I'll check that out, thank you. Though I have the very vague idea that it was a European disaster.

[@cleverusername9369]

Sounds like you're thinking of Wilhelm Gustloff

[@benjie128]

I wrote a paper on the sultana in grad school. Very tragic.

[@SmokeyJoe42098]

Fact boy getting ripped up for leaving so much out part two is definitely coming out

[@kraigsmith3193]

Everyone forgets the Eastland disaster in the Chicago River...844 dead

[@cleverusername9369]

Britain: "Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!" The ocean: "that's a negative, Ghost Rider"

[@joeyr7294]

Lmao KZbin you're drunk go home.....I got an ad for a cruise in the middle of this vid 😂

[@mazokuchan]

I was really expecting the Halifax explosion to be number 1!

[@KABModelsExtra]

I tersting you didn’t mention the Wilhelm Gustav. I would have though 9000 lives lost in one shipwreck would certainly have been in this list

[@KABModelsExtra]

@Cancer McAids it say disasters, not accidents tbf

[@duncancurtis1758]

Watched the article about the ss Arctic in 1854, disgraceful behaviour by the crew and passengers overall.

[@andrewburgess8529]

You missed the deadliest maritime disaster ever in the Roman fleet during the 1st Punic War that was set to invade North Africa but was caught in a storm and destroyed with somewhere between 150 - 300 thousand sailors and soldiers lost.

[@jevinday]

Sorry Simon, but I gotta correct you on the "titanic didn't have enough life boats to carry all the passengers" thing the Titanic sent out a distress signal on it's Marconi wireless system (which sent messages in Morse code out to any ship that was close to them). Ocean liners from this time going from the UK the the US all took the same route within 10-20 miles from each other. Lifeboats during this time were wooden, hand pushed lifeboats that were meant to take 1 group to the rescue ship and leave everyone else, but all of the ships nearby the titanic at the time had just turned off their radio systems because of how late at night it was. one of the ships eventually got there, but by the time they got there even some of the people in the lifeboats were freezing. they were rowboats you build on Rollercoaster tyccoon, how could they conquer the Atlantic ocean on a row boat? we always say that the titanic didnt have enough lifeboats, but that isnt true. how would a bunch of people in a wooden boat soaked in freezing water just be able to sit there for hours/days in a wooden lifeboat? I mean come on dude.

[@cleverusername9369]

History is rife with examples of folks surviving for ridiculous periods of time in an open boat adrift at sea. The survivors of the whaleship Essex were adrift for 90 days, to name but one example.

[@roahir]

I hear you didn't, look at MS Estonia. Real shame. I get there are loads of ocean accidents but still, it's the most lives lost in a ship sinking in the Baltics outside of war.

[@dontstopmeow5757]

I was expecting to see it on the list but considering most of the ones on the list had death tolls of double the Estonia, I can understand why it wasn’t listed. The Estonia is a scary story, but it is well known, where as a lot of the ones on the list have been largely forgotten. That all being said, the Estonia was a huge tragedy with 90% of the people on board going down. Then you add in the evidence of a Swedish Russian cover up, over the possibility that it was a Russian sub that accidentally struck it, and you have one of the most interesting stories in the last 40 years.

[@ZAV1944]

You forgot RMS Empress of Ireland

[@IlRyanWilsonlI]

Basically dont be on a ship in April

[@JulieC_Riki]

You didn’t mention the Empress of Ireland.

[@emilyauld8622]

The lifeboat count had nothing to do with the Titanic death toll..

[@leviacree4533]

Never this early to a fact boy video.

[@heatherkirwan822]

2012 action movie idea based on the golgafrinchans in hitch hikers guide to the galaxy lol

[@terryarmbruster9719]

900 channel cable package? I get 901 from your YT channels

[@GeorgieB1965]

Judging from the comments, seems that the writers had a minorly epic fail with their research.

[@Odayian420]

No not at all it's just there is so much to pick from it's really messed up when you get into all the maritime disasters that have happened. I definitely think this is a topic that they will be able to milk and get plenty of more episodes from.

[@BackYardScience2000]

​@@Odayian420 agreed.

[@twocvbloke]

Sad the modern day tragedies could have been avoided if they weren't in the hands of incompetent folk...

[@sergeantpeppers8858]

I thought I would see the Texas City ship SS Grandcamp on here but although a larger explosion than Halifax, only about 581 people died. I'd love to see a complete documentary about it if someone knows if one exists.

[@LennoxMatt1]

Halifax was larger. He covered it on his list of largest explosions a couple weeks ago

[@purcascade]

Geographics has one on the Texas City Disaster. I've seen some others on KZbin as well.

[@sherylcascadden4988]

I was able to find five. Geographics was the top of the list, and a channel I like.

[@sadBanker902]

If the Halifax explosion was to happen again, I'd be dead 😅

[@casfacto]

Your beard is looking tip top Fact Boy!

[@0fficialdregs]

hey Simon, I used the Nordvpn link in 2018 in one of your videos and since then, Nordvpn been gifting me free months since March. I love using Nordvpn Netherlands to Switzerland because of the strict Swiss internet protection.

[@waynehersel3965]

This is a legit post from a legit person. Believe it.

[@0fficialdregs]

@@waynehersel3965 :)

[@mathieuleader8601]

I bet the Machioness disaster is going to be on here

[@zeroreyortsed3624]

He said do do.

[@pletch73]

Where's the U.S.S. Minnow

[@florencemodina6293]

4000 lives in Doña Paz?

[@michaelmitchell4989]

Simon ... don't say do do.

[@duckydarrick7460]

No Empress of Ireland?

[@semiretired86]

Scandinavian Star?

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

The SS Arctic has to be on here

[@duncancurtis1758]

Worse than the Titanic in terms of maritime incompetence.

[@nrsrymj]

Wonder if the river boat disaster after the end of the Civil War will be in here.

[@nrsrymj]

Yup. The Sultana

[@duncancurtis1758]

Exploded like a giant bomb.

[@shabashabadoo3899]

Spanish Armada???

[@jasonj8740]

Hmmm.... It seems the British seem to make a massive amount of this list. Makes you wonder if England actually knows what it's doing.🤔🤣

[@beowulfthedane]

I'm surprised you left out the SS Norge sunk 8 years before the Titanic 635 people died when it struck a submerged islet called Rockall off the coasts of Ireland and Scotland.

[@feargal2433]

Rockall is not a submerged islet.

[@beowulfthedane]

@@feargal2433 My understanding is that at high tide it is. nevertheless, they now keep a lighted buoy there so ships don't hit it.

[@slickers21]

So, takeaway from this video, don't ride on ships piloted by Brits 😂

[@CaptHollister]

I'd stay away from Asian ferries

[@shanejonny3896]

Wilhelm Gustloff ??

[@Jimmy62]

Estonia?

[@Clem20033]

I would add the Korean Sewol disaster. Destroyed the Korean government!

[@TrineDaely]

It added to the problems of a corrupt government that was already on its way down according to people from there.

[@fumanpoo4725]

When I Taco Bell sharted in the Wave Cove at the Raging Waters water park? Security called out "Code Brown! Bobber in the Wave Cove!"

[@jessetaylor4142]

*fffff* only 47 channels, light wait >_>

[@4ammarwat]

Sir you are look like jhonysins Jhonysins is your brother 😳?

[@jumbojester]

i like turtles

[@wmdiink6697]

Older and balder and gayer every year. Cheers!

[@Nixontheman]

Decimation means 10%, 😏

[@jlbay1]

Historically, yes. But the word has evolved since its use by the Roman legion and now means total or near total destruction.

[@Nixontheman]

@@jlbay1The use of the word to describe a general or near complete reduction when other words can convey the intended meaning is both lazy and inaccurate.

[@jlbay1]

@@Nixontheman Language is always changing.

[@Nixontheman]

@@jlbay1, not Latin 🙂

[@tylerhoffman570]

Woo

[@robblequoffle8456]

49 minutes 🏍

[@robertgoldman8064]

Titanic sank on April 14 not April 15.

[@mom42boys]

The Titanic hit the iceberg at around 23:40 on April 14th and sunk at 02:20 April 15th.

[@duncancurtis1758]

Shouldn't have been watching lovebirds frolicking on the deck.

[@Okun240]

Let’s Go BRANDON!