The Royal Mail Ship Titanic needs no introduction. If somehow you have not heard of it, I’d like to introduce you to Mickey Mouse and Coca Cola as well. The famous wreck, which stuck an iceberg in 1912 and sank to the bottom of the dark, cold and desolate North Atlantic ocean, taking 1,503 souls with her, was lost for over 73 years before being discovered by Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel in 1985. It’s not the only famous vessel to ever go missing however.
- Fishing Vessel Andrea Gail: she was made famous by the book and movie “The Perfect Storm” and sank with all hands aboard in 1991. If you have not read the book or watched the movie, both are highly recommended. A monster storm was too much for the ship and she sank with the loss of all six crew members. “She’s comin’ on, boys, and she’s comin’ on strong,” were the last recorded words of Captain Billy Tyne. 100 foot waves were present around the time of her foundering in over 10,000 feet of water 300 miles away from the site of the Titanic disaster. She has never been found.
2. Merchant Ship Munchen: this German cargo vessel disappeared in 1978 and is currently undiscovered. Evidence found after the dispearance points to the possibility of a rogue wave at least 66 feet high. This was based on a damaged lifeboat securement pins, which were bent backwards by an unknown great force. The boats were 66 feet in the air and a giant wave is thought to be the only realistic possiblity. She had time to issue ten mayday calls, but it is possible those calls were automated.
3. Steamship Marine Sulphur Queen: another cargo vessel, disappeared almost without a trace in 1963 off the coast of Florida. Based on debris that was recovered and the history of the T2 class tankers, of which she belonged, it is thought her back broke in heavy weather. 39 sailors lost their lives when the vessel sank beneath the waves. This ship has historically come up in conversations about the Bermuda Triangle.
4. The United States Ship Swordfish: The Swordfish was a US Navy submarine which is famous as the first American sub to sink a Japanese vessel during World War 2. She disappeared with all hands somewhere near Okinawa in 1945. It is thought that she was destroyed by enemy action, most likely by a mine placed around the island or depth charge.
5. Steamship Leafield: Lake Superior is a massive body of water, despite being a lake. Perhaps then it is not surprising that a 248 foot cargo vessel could disappear without a trace about 14 miles away from Port Arthur, Ontario in 1913, just one year after the sinking of the Titanic. Given the crystal clear waters of the lake at depth, if she is located, she may well be in good condition.
*********************
I am always grateful for any contribution towards my journalistic endeavors: https://www.paypal.me/trivalmaster