The Dramatic Wreck of the SS LAUREL (1929)
244,034
Published 2024-04-23
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The Laurel, originally built in 1920 as the West Jessup by the Ames Shipbuilding Company, was a cargo steamer based on design number 1080 of the Emergency Fleet Corporation. After sailing several voyages across the Pacific, the Laurel became a lumber freighter for the Quaker Line, a subsidiary of the States Line.
In 1929, with 32 souls on board, Laurel beached on Peacock Spit, Washington, just at the mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon.
In this documentary, we're visiting the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, and the Cape May Maritime Museum.
Show some support to the efforts of the Cape May Maritime Museum working to restore a lifeboat similar to the ones sent out to rescue those trapped on the Laurel.
www.cmmaritime.org/
All Comments (21)
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Cape disappointment is what my dad would call me if I was a cape.
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My Grandfather John S Wheeler was on this ship. He was 26 years old and signed oa an “oilman”, which meant he was assigned to the engine room to constantly apply oil to the engine mechanics. I have a video of him telling his story in 1981. I have shared this video with Astoria museum and the digitized it for archival. On another subject, there is a comment posted from a person that compliments this video and asks the author to consider doing one on the SS Central America wreck from 1857. My great great Grand mother, Mary Swan (Cook) was on that ship with her husband Sam Swan and infant child. Husband went down with the ship. Mary and baby were saved. I have been engaged with the historians and authors of books like “Ship of Gold” that chronicled the discovery of the ship in 1988 and recovery of 3 tons of gold. I have copies of Mary’s story from the Sacramento Bee newspaper many years later. She crossed the oregon/California trail in 1854.
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This channel is the one that convinced me that the highlands of YT had finally exceeded the best that Discovery/History/National Geographic et al had to offer. It's an exciting media milestone. Which is to say, Part-Time Explorer is appointment viewing!
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This channel is my secret little place of peace. Thank you.
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Cape disappointment is basically my Asian parents way of describing me in a Superman costume
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Dis Billy, brave teenager aviator get recognized with a civilaian medal? what a act of courage at night, in that storm..
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I'm a lifelong Oregonian, and I think unless you grow up at the coast, you just don't hear about this kind of history. I so appreciate you bringing light to these stories, and giving me reasons to go back to the Columbia River Maritime Museum! The Columbia Bar is still a notoriously hard place to cross, and the ships rely on pilots and can only go at high tide.
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The young pilot Billy Gaye had some serious big, uh, guts! Great video as always, and many thanks!
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What an awesome true tale of the “Laurel”, told in such an amazing way with fantastic photographs too. Thank you so much for this amazing history.
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One of the greatest YouTuber’s continues to deliver.
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Amazing, I love stories about the dreaded graveyard of the Pacific. Why did they put so much lumber on her for such a long voyage? Did somebody want her to sink for the insurance? Incredible graphics once again. Thanks for the great work Tom.
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Your docs are the best. Love these rarely told stories. Thanks for your hard work.
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For me, there's something tragic about the death of a ship, even if all hands were spared. Superb recreation! Thank you.
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I was so worried that the captain was going to go down with his ship unnecessarily. I’m glad that he accepted the ship’s fate before the ship took him with her. I can fully respect his determination to stay with the ship, especially since he did eventually accept rescue. Love your continued visits to local historical centers!
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The animation is more than just illustrative of the narrative, it's so good, these videos rival the best WWII documentaries. Congratulations on a real triumph, one of many on the channel.
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Fantastic story! The graphics were excellent. I was reminded of the last chapter of William Least Heat-Moon’s adventure story River Story about taking a boat from the Atlantic to the Pacific on the rivers of the U.S. His description of taking his small boat across the Bar is harrowing, and he did it on a nice day in the daytime. It is worth finding the book at a local library just to read that last Chapter “Salt to Salt, Tide to Tide.” Thank you so much for this maritime history lesson!❤
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My husband and I went to the Columbia maritime museum last October. So fascinating. Love maritime history. Great video.
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You really do make some of my absolute favorite content on YouTube.
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Thanks for shedding light to more of these shipwrecks!
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Been bed bound layed up sick for 4days, saw your new video posted and knew at least 20+mins it'll be a good day today :)
