Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

On November 29, 1966, the Great Lakes freighter Daniel J. Morrell was torn in two during a violent late-season storm on Lake Huron. Within hours the ship had broken apart. Of the 29 men aboard, only Deck Watchman Dennis Hale survived to tell the story.

Built in 1906, the Morrell had worked the lakes for six decades, hauling bulk cargo through some of the most unforgiving fresh water on Earth. In this episode, host Rich Napolitano explores the ship’s long career and the events of her final voyage. You will also hear about watchman Dennis Hale, who endured 38 hours adrift in freezing weather before rescue arrived, and the Coast Guard's Marine Investigation conclusions.

The loss of the SS Daniel J. Morrell is one of the worst Great Lakes shipwrecks of the twentieth century. While the loss of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald is more widely known, the Witch of November has taken many other ships, and perhaps none more dramatically than the Daniel J. Morrell.

Whether you are a maritime historian, a wreck diver, a shipwreck hunter, or simply drawn to Great Lakes history, this episode offers a detailed account of the Morrell’s final voyage.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠.

Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠.

** No AI was used to create this episode.

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Deck officers

Arthur I. Crawley, Master

Phillip E. Kapets, First Mate

Duncan R. MacLeod, Second Mate

Ernest G. Marcotte, Third Mate

Deck crew

Charles H. Fosbender, Wheelsman

Henry Rischmiller, Wheelsman

Stuart A. Campbell, Wheelsman

Albert P. Wieme, Watchman

Norman M. Bragg, Watchman

Dennis N. Hale, Watchman (the only survivor)

Larry G. Davis, Ordinary Deckwatch

John M. Groh, Ordinary Deckwatch

Arthur E. Stojek, Deckhand

John J. Cleary Jr., Deckhand

Engine room

John H. Schmidt, Chief Engineer

Valmour A. Marchildon, First Assistant Engineer

Alfred G. Norkunas, Second Assistant Engineer

George A. Dahl, Third Assistant Engineer

Wilson E. Simpson, Oiler

Donald E. Worcester, Oiler

Chester Konieczka, Fireman

Arthur S. Fargo, Fireman

Saverio Grippi, Coal Passer

Leon R. Truman, Coal Passer

David L. Price, Coal Passer

Galley and steward department

Stanley J. Satlawa, Steward

Nicholas P. Homick, Second Cook

Joseph A. Mahsem, Porter

Charles J. Sestakauskas, Porter

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This Week in Shipwrecks is the weekly maritime news series of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs covering shipwrecks and maritime history stories from around the world.

In this episode:

Cardiff researchers crack a 400-year-old lock from the Ann Francis

A Swedish shipwreck called Wreck 5 A Swedish may have given up its galley

Possible castaway camp found at Isla de los Estados, Argentina

US Coast guard detains MSC Poesia in Miami

Indian Navy ends a pirate hijacking off Somalia

Tugboat fire off Okinawa

Fishing boat capsizes in the Bay of Bengal during Cyclone Murasu

Search underway after migrant boat sinks off Crete

The SS United States heads for her final destination as an artifical reef off Florida

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠.

Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠.

**🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES**

👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sources for this episode:

Yahoo/Live Science, "Archeologists crack a shipwreck's 400-year-old combination lock," Nov 4, 2026: ⁠https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/archeologists-crack-shipwreck-400-old-200000121.html⁠

Live Science, "Cryptic padlock from a 400-year-old shipwreck finally opened," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/cryptic-padlock-from-a-400-year-old-shipwreck-finally-opened-but-it-leaves-a-mystery⁠

Medievalists.net, "Rare Medieval Warship Wreck Investigated in Sweden," Nov 4, 2026: ⁠https://www.medievalists.net/2026/11/rare-medieval-warship-wreck-investigated-in-sweden/⁠

Phys.org, "Archaeologists uncover possible 19th-century castaway camp," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://phys.org/news/2026-11-archaeologists-uncover-19th-century-castaway.html⁠

Archaeology Magazine, "Did Penguin Hunters Occupy a Campsite Off Patagonia's Coast?": ⁠https://archaeology.org/news/2026/10/22/did-penguin-hunters-occupy-a-campsite-off-patagonias-coast/⁠

CBS News, "Cruise canceled after Coast Guard detains ship in Miami," Nov 3, 2026:⁠ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coast-guard-detains-msc-poesia-cruise-ship-miami/⁠

Onmanorama, "Indian Navy frees fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates," Nov 3, 2026: ⁠https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/11/03/indian-navy-frees-fishing-vessel-hijacked-by-somali-pirates-rescues-20-crew-members-after-48-hr-operation.html⁠

Crane1000, Cebu Hope tug fire off Miyakojima (Japanese), Oct 31, 2026: ⁠https://crane1000.com/fire-breaks-out-on-tugboat-cebu-hope-off-miyakojima-one-of-six-japanese-crew-members-sustains-fatal-injuries/⁠

Ryukyu Shimpo, Cebu Hope fire (Japanese): https://ryukyushimpo.jp/national/entry-5583713.html

Whalesbook, "Cyclone Murasu: 4 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Die in Boat Capsize," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://www.whalesbook.com/news/English/other/Cyclone-Murasu-4-Tamil-Nadu-Fishermen-Die-in-Boat-Capsize/6aec48084fc30694db5e6cde⁠

Greek City Times, "Rescue Operation Underway After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Crete," Nov 5, 2026: ⁠https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/11/05/migrant-boat-sinks-chrysi-ierapetra-crete⁠

Cruise Hive, "Final Countdown Begins for SS United States as Reef Sinking Date Is Set," Nov 1, 2026: ⁠https://www.cruisehive.com/final-countdown-begins-for-ss-united-states-as-reef-sinking-date-is-set/222317

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In January of 1913, the steamboat James T. Staples—one of the most elegant vessels to travel the Tombigbee River—was torn apart by a sudden boiler explosion near Powe’s Landing in Alabama, killing dozens and leaving the once-proud riverboat a smoldering wreck. Built by respected captain Norman Staples, the ship had only recently been taken from his control after a bitter financial collapse, marking the end of a career shaped by ambition, tragedy, and the fading era of Southern river travel.

In the days surrounding the disaster, something deeper began to take hold in the communities along the river—stories of strange omens, fleeing rats, and sightings below deck that no one could quite explain. With no clear cause ever confirmed, the explosion gave rise to whispers that the destruction of the James T. Staples may not have been entirely accidental. More than a century later, the story lingers at the intersection of history and folklore, where loss, legacy, and something far less certain continue to drift along the waters of the Tombigbee.

For more information about Southern Gothic Podcast, please visit southerngothicmedia.com

Original theme music for Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠seansigfried.com⁠.

**🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES**

👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠

👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!
⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:
⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

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This Week in Shipwrecks is the weekly maritime series of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs.

New from this week:

Identification of U-672

Cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 collides with other ships

Discovery of SS Cornwallis in Maine

Sinking of offshore drilling rig Prospector 5

The replica pirate ship Morgan sank in Ecuador

A sand dredger goes down in Malaysia

Collision of freighters in Bangladesh sinks a coal carrier

Documentary "We Finished Their Journey" announced

Sources for this episode include:

MarineLink

Reuters

India Times

Classic Boat Magazine

CBS News

Dhaka Tribune

Dredge Wire

LatinTimes.com

Aljazeera

Keweenaw Report

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠.

Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠⁠seansigfried.com⁠⁠.

** No AI was used to create this episode.

**🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES**

👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On 27 March, 1980, the semi-submersible Norwegian oil platform Alexander L. Kielland collapsed and capsized during a terrible storm in the North Sea. The platform was being used as a floating hotel, or "flotel" for workers at the Ekofisk oil field. A massive search and rescue operation was launched, including surface vessels and aircraft from Norway, West Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. 123 of the 212 people on the platform perished, making it the worst industrial disaster in Norwegian history. The disaster prompted a number of changes to the safety regulations and emergency response procedures governing oil drilling platforms in the North Sea.

Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. All episodes, show notes, and transcripts can be found at ⁠shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠.

Original theme music is by Sean Sigfried and you can find him at ⁠seansigfried.com⁠.

** No AI was used to create this episode.

**🎧 LISTEN AD-FREE + BONUS EPISODES**

👉Get exclusive bonus episodes and merch on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/patreon⁠⁠⁠

👉Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.shipwrecksandseadogs.com/apple⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is part of the Into History podcast channel. Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.intohistory.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

👉Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Merchandise is available!
⁠⁠⁠https://shop.shipwrecksandseadogs.com⁠⁠⁠

👉You can support the podcast with a donation of any amount at:
⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shipwreckspod⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices