The Storm That Swallowed 12 Modern Ships
Summary
This episode of Our American Stories features Rick Mixter detailing the catastrophic 1913 Great Lakes storm, known as the "Big Blow." The narrative covers the loss of twelve ships and over 250 sailors, highlighting specific tragedies like the sinking of the H.B. Smith and the Plymouth. Mixter shares eyewitness accounts, including a message in a bottle, to illustrate the era's lack of safety regulations and the enduring mystery surrounding the disaster.
Topics discussed
Podcast intros: Survivor Files, Hollywood Handbook, Delivering Happiness, Our Town
Great Lakes shipping history and the lack of safety regulations in 1913
The 1913 Storm begins: The Big Blow and initial ship losses
The sinking of the Plymouth and Chris Keenan's message in a bottle
Authenticity of messages in bottles during the 1913 storm
The H.B. Smith disaster and Captain Billy Owen's controversial decisions
Podcast promos: Survivor Files, Hollywood Handbook, Delivering Happiness, Our Town
Survival story: Ed Kanabi and the H.B. Hawgood on Lake Huron
The capsized Charles S. Price and theories on why ships flipped
The human toll: 250 sailors lost and the impact on Goderich
Modern weather forecasting vs. historical storms and ongoing discoveries
Final podcast promos and sign-off
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