The paddle-steamer General Slocum caught fire and sank in the East River on June 15, 1904, killing over 1,000 people.
Category: United States Shipwrecks
The Baltimore Bridge Disaster
On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland collapsed after being struck by the container ship MV Dali.
The Steamship Pulaski: Lost in the Dark
The steamship Pulaski, launched in 1838, was a renowned vessel of its time, known for its luxurious accommodations and innovative engineering. Tragically, it met its demise in 1838 when a boiler explosion caused the ship to sink off the coast of North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of 128 of the 192 on board.
El Faro: The Clock is Ticking
The sinking of the SS El Faro in 2015 was a devastating maritime disaster that occurred during Hurricane Joaquin. The American cargo ship, owned by TOTE Maritime, was en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it encountered the powerful hurricane, leading to a distress call reporting a hull breach and severe listing. All 33 crew members tragically lost their lives, prompting investigations that revealed a combination of factors, including decisions made by the captain and maintenance issues, contributing to the disaster.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, on November 10, 1975. The ship was caught in a sudden, vicious November gale with 30 foot waves and 90 mile an hour winds.
The RMS Republic
The luxury ocean liner RMS Republic of the White Star Line sank in 1909 after being struck by the SS Florida.
Return to the Andrea Doria
The crew of the D/V Tenacious returns to the wreck of the Andrea Doria with three Italian divers.
Blackbeard and Queen Anne’s Revenge
Blackbeard, whose real name was thought to be Edward Teach or Thatch, was a notorious English pirate who terrorized the American colonies and the West Indies during the early 18th century, known for his fearsome appearance and ruthless tactics.
The SS Arctic
The SS Arctic sank off the coast of Newfoundland in 1854 after colliding with the SS Vesta. Hundreds lost their lives and the crew became notorious for their behavior.
The Sinking of the SS Pacific
The SS Pacific was a sidewheel paddle steamer, which by 1875 had 25 years of service up and down the west coast of the US and Canada. In November of 1875, she collided with the sailing vessel Orpheus, and was fatally damaged. Only two aboard the Pacific survived, and an estimate of 325 perished. It is the greatest loss of life in the history of the waters nicknamed The Graveyard of the Pacific.