Deadly Fire at Sea: The Burning of SS Morro Castle (1/3)

September, 1934; Ward Line's spectacular ocean liner, Morro Castle, sets off on a routine voyage that will see her complete a round trip from New York to Havana and back. Few of the ship's carefree passengers are aware that below the surface, tensions are simmering aboard the ship that will soon come to a head. Just hours away from home the captain dies - and then a fire ignites aboard the ship in a locked cupboard. What ensues is one of the most horrendous disasters of the 1930s - but time would show that this accident may well have been the result of something far more insidious. In this two part documentary series we'll bring the story of Morro Castle back to life in gripping detail and try to solve the enduring mysteries of this tragic ship.

Oceanliner Designs explores the design, construction, engineering and operation of history’s greatest vessels– from Titanic to Queen Mary and from the Empress of Ireland to the Lusitania. Join maritime researcher and illustrator Michael Brady as he tells the stories behind some of history's most famous ocean liners and machines!

#ships #sinking #disaster #titanic #wrecks #exploration #history #adventure #design #engineering #mairitime #safety #vessels #sailing #documentary #story #oceanlinerdesigns #crime #truecrime

[johnandrews]

This is unreal quality in research/writing, narration, graphics and editing. Better than 90% of what's online or on TV now. VERY well done.

[blahmooblah]

Holy SHOE! It’s Caitlin! From Ask a Mortician!
This is a collaboration that is truly amazing and I’m so here for

[lawrencelewis]

In 1972 I painted a house for a guy. One day I showed up late. The guy said, "Don't worry about it. I was a merchant sailor in the 1930s and my mother didn't wake me up to sign on to a ship and I showed up at the office and was told I was too late. The ship caught on fire and many people died. Ever since, I''ve never gotten mad at anyone for showing up late." I said, "That must have been the Morro Castle." He said that I ws right.

[GamingGrenade]

That intro was better than most modern horror films

[mjmsdcs]

A crossover episode with *THE* Caitlin Doughty!?! As a huge fan of both of your channels, I am SO excited about part II.

As always, a fantastic video with production and storytelling only rivaled by major producers with huge budgets.

[alexw.]

I love how on this channel we don't have people rushing to comment "First, " we clamber to see who can be the first to say some variation of "It's our friend Mike Brady from Oceanliner Designs!" 😂

[xxxxz]

I work on a military base and saw this ship on a plaque and i screenshotted it to look into it. This video came out just in time. Thx brady.

[giovanniserafino]

As an historian, I have to say all your presentations are informative, well researched, accurate, entertaining and professional. This was exceptionally well done! Congratulations!

[terikronberg]

I had to watch this again, because it's so well done. I love how you conjured up the period and the atmosphere of fun and foreboding. Also, that intro gave me chills. Well done my friend.

[smelter_felter-]

I'm a native New Jersey resident, and the burning of this great vessel is a big part of our local history here. Thank you very much for covering this!

[ExUSSailor]

My grandfather was an avid amateur shutterbug at the time, and, he traveled to Asbury Park, and, got some great pictures of the Morro Castle where she ran aground.

[SuperScottFilms]

I've been researching this story for well over a decade now for a script. It's a fascinating tale with plenty of twists. Amazingly, most locals have no idea that this happened at one of our most iconic landmarks at the Jersey Shore. Thanks for shining a spotlight on it!

[lachd]

The production values on these videos are getting seriously good. Fantastic work

[boilerwash]

The fact these and Part Time Explorers documentaries aren't on the History or Discovery Channel is an absolute crime.

[skullsaintdead]

Wow, the QUALITY Mike! And a crossover cameo with Miss Deathling herself (Caitlin)! You've captured the vibe of the 30s so well, feels like I could have been a passenger onboard with the incredible render of the SS Morro Castle, the music and the vintage film reels. Brilliant work!

[Sponge-jf]

This is getting documentary quality even better at this point really!

[danielkarmy]

These last few months, Mr Brady, yourself and your team have emerged from a healthy but hard-fought lead over the chasing pack of maritime YouTube channels, to assume a place entirely your own in the pantheon of the greats. Your dedication to duty is second to none, your skill in conveying the horrors of a tragedy equally so; the deep-felt empathy woven into each carefully-placed moment of footage or voiceover is so very clear for all to sense - and, through you therefore, we too hold the victims and survivors in our hearts. Those who never left ship, you bring back to life; those whose voyage continued long after their rescue, you humanise, because they were human. Those responsible, you give the treatment they deserved but may not have received in life, and in this way, we all feel as if something, at least, has been put right. You're not half-bad, old bean!
Full ahead, aye aye...

[aleisha]

I love the recent crossovers with Caitlin Doughty!

[martinschnelle]

It's a Sunday evening, you prepare mentally for another week in the treadmill - and our friend Mike Brady from Oceanliner Designs manages as usual to get me somewhere completely else and tells us another story from maritime history. Thanks for that!

[shiryo]

The collab I never knew I needed. Love you and Caitlin, I watched her video on the Marchioness disaster and mishandling of bodies the other day! Can’t wait!