I was aboard a ro-ro container ship bound for Japan, heading into the same typhoon. Normally cruising at 21-23 knots, our speed dropped to 14 knots during the night. Late that evening, we struck a rogue wave with the force of hitting a brick wall. The massive roll caused a drop in gearbox lube oil pressure, shutting down the engines and leaving us without steering. In all my years at sea, it was one of the most terrifying experiences for me and the crew. Days later, we were deeply saddened to learn of the Derbyshire's fate.
Oh my god that’s terrifying. But there have been abandoned ships that managed to stay afloat for months through storms with no one at the helm. So maybe there’s something to letting the sea just take control of the ship. Or maybe it’s just pure luck idk.
Sounds somewhat similar to the El Faro, sailing into a strong storm and having your engines taken out due to lack of oil pressure. Glad you all made it through.
@martrex, ex tankerman my self been through the same problems in bad weather but we still carried on going to sea we took the good with the bad but wouldn't change it for the world.
Another glued to the seat story. Excellent. Many times in my working years issues we’re ignored by management. The point came we would report, take the brush off and stand by until failure.
My friend lost a cousin and his wife on board; they were the Hutchinsons - she was a really kind hearted lady and they were both well loved - thank you for a respectful and well researched video. Glad it was clarified the crew did not cause the sinking.
The MV Derbyshire sinking has fascinated and horrified me in equal measure. From what I can gather it was at best minutes from crew knowing something was wrong to being in the drink. I imagine some crew in their quarters would may not have realised something was wrong until water came rushing into the cabin. RIP to the crew and family.
It would have been an ordeal for certain. With the way the ship broke up, I would think most would have been awakened by the violent noises and vibrations but we really have no way of knowing. The Edmund Fitzgerald also went down with all hands but unlike Derbyshire, nobody really knows what happened except that the front half of the ship went from above water to the bottom in under 10 seconds.
You do a great job on your videos. They're always well researched and it's obvious you have a head full of seafaring knowledge. I've learned a lot about ships and shipping from you. Thanks
You wrong about the Derbyshire construction. The Derbyshire was of single hull construction, double hull construction only came in about ten years after her construction The Derbyshire did have a double bottom and wing tanks, for ballast and fuel storage. I was a radio officer on her sister ship, MV Sir Alexander Glen call sign GUHX. Owned by Thornhope shipping and managed by Denholms of Glasgow. There where six sister ships if memory serves me correctly. They all well constructed, meeting the high standards of the time. You are correct that there was an issue of fatigue cracking in the hulls. It had a fact that all the sister ship came to grief during there working life. The Sir Alexander Glen, ended up being scrapped after losing her rudder, in the pacific.
The six sister ships were Furness bridge (1971), Tyne bridge (1972), English Bridge (1973), Sir John Hunter (1974), Sir Alexander Glen (1975) and finally Liverpool Bridge (1976). All carried other names during their years of service, the final one of its class being scrapped in 1997 (ex. Sir John Hunter).
Yeah, from memory the images from the wreck showed a rope that was supposed to be lashed to the lever things that kept the hatches closed was astrey towards the bow. The enquiry determined this to mean the crew didnt lash it properly until a former crew member came forward to explain why it strayed towards the bow. I believe (although my memory is hazy) the former crew member explained that the regulation of how it was supposed to be done was fine. But the way the crew did the lashing was even better and much more secure. Or something like that. Thats why they changed there mind on crew negligence.
It's a long time since I read about the Derbyshire but I remember this hatch cover being initially suggested as being the cause of the loss because it was found on the seabed separate from the bow section (the ship didn't just sink - it disintegrated). The suggestion was that it wasn't tied down properly and thus became the means by which the forecastle flooded. The final inquiry demonstrated that it was the air vents being damaged that let the water in and that the hatch came off during the implosions, being more or less blasted off from beneath, proving that it wasn't the "ground zero" point of the accident after all.
A crew sailing on a ship that her builders consider a death trap and shipwyard builders knowing that what they built will probably kill crews. And then a government who tries its best to hide any of it. Edit: Sweet, Big Old Boats and Waterline Stories release within an hour. Perfect for a dark and stormy late afternoon.
@@Skaitania I think the two and a half miles of water above it had a little more to do with why the government couldn't make many conclusions about what sank her. In 1980 there were only a handful of submarines in the entire world that could reach that depth.
One of my uncles worked on oil tankers, he is now a car mechanic, but he HATED when news about any freighter sinking/lost was said. it scared him, after 1985, he quit working on them,
I'm from Liverpool, and I remember seeing the families appearing on local news trying to get the sinking investigated. It's a long while ago, but pretty sure one of the sailors onboard was very young 16 or 17.
A lot of seamen start their life at sea from 15 or 16yrs it's the norm being ex merchant navy myself. Also you end up in a .lot of war zones as well which people don't realise.
I watched this story with close interest at the time because I joined my first bulk carrier just a couple of weeks later, loaded with iron ore. Fortunately we didn't see any really bad weather for the 6 months I was aboard but I was still mighty glad to get off it.
The assumption that the focsle hatch was left open was made when underwater photos showed a mooring rope leading out from the hatch. Normal practise would be to tie the end of the last mooring rope to the inside of the hatch cover when stowing the mooring ropes. The hatch would then be secured by a system of cleats. Assumption that hatch cover was left open highly insulting to the memories of those lost , by someone that lacked knowledge of seafaring practices.
The Foc'sle hatch was mechanically closed using 'Cleats'. The practice as stated in the investigation was just ordinary good seamanship practice, whereby in preparation for bad weather, the cleats would of been bound together with rope to prevent them vibrating or just becoming free and loose, thus allowing the hatch to open and let water in! What started the demise of the Derbyshire was Foc'sle vents being ripped off by massive waves, thus allowing water to flood the compartments and start the domino effect!
Yes, I was on a ULCC in 1986 in the similar weather conditions, off Durban, South Africa. The waves simply forced the hatch open and flooded the fore peak. Our cargo was crude oil which is lighter than water, so no problems apart from a pretty battered ship
I was born in Sunderland. My father and grandfather worked in the shipyards of Newcastle as a pattern maker/model maker and sea trial engineer respectively. We left for America in the 1960s when a lot of the yards were closing down. I ended up following my grandfather and uncle in the merchant marine-excepting, I did it in America. After graduation from a maritime academy, I could not find a 3rd mates position so I worked in the Bearing Sea as an A. B. for a year. There was a former British merchant navy able bodied seaman aboard. He knew a lot of the men that went down in the MV Derbyshire. Years later, I was chief mate aboard the RV Roger Revelle (AGOR 24) when we had to run from and eventually "hove to" off the Philippines in typhoon Morokot. Turning the ship around in such seas even with very maneuverable z drives was very interesting indeed. The ship was literally surfing down the sea when running down hill. Sundays are my cup of Joe and a sea story entertainment in my retirement. Another very well done episode. Thanks again.
6 freaking days before they even launched a search then they only send two ships and two helicopters and only search for a day or two and say screw it they never stood a chance
@badmonkey2222 What was a surface search ever going to find? The water there is two and a half miles deep, there were a handful of submarines in the entire world that could reach that depth in 1980.
@@CruelestChris when a mayday goes out search and rescue is ALWAYS the first phase because recovering any survivors in the water or a raft is number one priority. Then after so many hours they switch to recovery. No body knew what happened to the ship so that's why.
As always, easy to understand, very informative and very well edited. I've never stepped foot on a ship my entire life, but I leave every video with some new knowledge so I can brag to my wife and pretend I'm a wise guy 😅 tks for that!
My mate's father was the cook on the Derbyshire. He was due to retire after that voyage. Really dreadful having to wait so long to find out what happened. However some of us who had been to sea had a good idea what caused this tragedy.
@billyatlarge, ex merchant myself sorry he never made it, and yes land lubbers always think they know more than us who actually went to sea. But we All new the risks but would not change it for anything.
@@simplesimon182 my pal was really distraught when he heard the Derbyshire was lost with all hands. My dad was ex merchant navy and was the secretary of the Seamen's Union here in Northern Ireland. He also knew my mate's father. I got him to have a word and explain what likely happened. Not much comfort but at least it provided an answer until the report came out years later. Sad business.
When I look at this build of ship, I don't think "how a ship that big sink?" I think "Why did someone design a trough for a ship?" With the cracking and questionable hatch strength, any water getting in would be like floating a bowl in a sink full of water, then turning the faucet on over the bowl.
Correct, but this class was poorly built, as was the VLCC class Texaco Great Britain, ESSO Northumbria and ESSO Highbernia. All this class suffered major structural failures. Texaco Great Britain broke her back and was repaired, but later had a transverse bulkhead collapse and was scrapped.
My fiancé and I had set the date of our wedding on Sept. 27, 1980. My future mother in laws best friend was one of Captain Underhills sisters, Barbara. Barbara was a very important part of our social circle and we planned our wedding date based on that groups availability to attend. Barbara left for England immediately after being notified that the Derbyshire had gone missing and missed our wedding.
A tragic loss well represented but just a note, the ship was built at Swan Hunters yard at Haverton Hill Middlesbrough rather than their yard on the Tyne.
Throughout this video, I'm cringing and overwhelmed with empathy for the crew and their families. I hope some kind of huge and painful class action law suite was filed against the companies that owned the ship/ knew about the design flaws. Your video was excellent✅
does anyone else find it crazy that the company waited 4 days before alerting authorities and the search didn’t begin for 6 days?? if there were survivors they would be long dead at that point.
I don't know if I missed it, but I find it very disturbing that there isn't enough pressure on the engineers constructing ships like this to do something about the problems around frame 65. It should not have to take 10-15 years for this to be fixed! Or at least the newly built ships should have another design!
These videos helped me understand the metric system better. Also my relative loves crime stories so naturally I've turned them onto your channel aswell. Pls keep making videos my guy
You are an amazing story teller. And I am always impressed with how respectful you are when explaining what happened. Have you done the SS Pendleton? It's such a bonkers story with an amazing rescue.
Worked with a foreman who was involved in the construction of these ships,he left the company who was building them for dangerous welding practices during the construction,he told me he reported it tothe manabme t and was told to keep it quiet,he had no option but to quit.RIP to all crew members .
These ships are designed to maximize the cargo-carrying capability and to minimize the running costs. They are not designed to handle extreme weather conditions. Maybe the captain had successfully previously sailed through extreme weather conditions and thus overestimated his own abilities and the ship's capabilities. Also, taking cover in any port until the storm has passed is safer but it loses money.
Most companies will seek to blame workers instead of technology. Of course employees can make mistakes but oftentimes the technology utilized is an end product involving low bids and cost cutting shortcuts.
Tragic. To continue to use these vessels with known structural deficiencies is Inexcusable. Criminal in my opinion . I really wish I knew what the architects and engineers were thinking or perhaps not thinking. GOD rest their souls and comfort their families.
Can you imagine that being the official name at the launch ceremony? "I christen thee 'The Floating Deathtrap'. May God bless this ship and any unlucky bastard who drew the short straw and has to sail on her." Wow. Sign me up.
The Bibby Line seems to have given lots of their ships UK place names, in my opinion the old Derbyshire and their WWII - era ocean liners were some of the prettiest steamships ever built.
All companies tend to follow a theme whether that be ancient greek mythology, or in Bibby's case county names, or even less imaginative modern stuff like Hyundai No.2, No.3 and so on!
I find these maritime disaster documentaries fascinating, even though my knowledge of shipping is nil (I can't even comprehend, how something made of metal can float).
The wild thing was that the bow goes under and ship starts sinking. The hull implodes and the ship sinks even faster, so fast the crew are under water before they know anything happens. It's sad that the ship was a death trap from the very start.
I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing. The company thought they had a set of good shiny ships to move cargo. Maybe the workers in the shipyards were dubious but I'm sure the shipbuilders didn't inform the designers about the concerns. Eventually it is determined to be a cause unrelated to the frame weakness but the insufficiently strong hatch covers etc. It looks like no individual really screwed up at the time, more a case of misunderstood risks with tragic consequences.
2:40 this photo seems to be of a different Derbyshire of an older design…..I don’t see any way the hull form shown there could have been modified to become what was the Derbyshire pictured supposedly a short few years later.
@therealmrfishpaste true, but causing the death of their citizens which were crew mates onboard when there was evidence of the ship having structural issues inherent in the design. I'd like to think people are worth more than money considering they pay taxes and benefit society.
So the same tactic they always use ? 😂😂😂 I Mean it's the old reliable tactic to keep those that get rich by cut costing getting richer. Just the normal Westminster mindset....
Deeerrrrr........ the British Gov. certified it seaworthy . Then the British Gov. investigated the loss. Lets blame the crew ......... These ships were sinking at a rate of 1 per month but most had mixed crew or third world on board, but the Derbyshire was full British crew so thank goodness for the family and union in their persistence for the truth.... RIP Crew of Derbyshire and all the other crews of this type of vessel no one felt the need to investigate....
I've seen footage from a similar style ship going thru a storm and its hull snaps and sinks within a minute. From the video you can see the upper deck break into 2 pieces as the hull pulls apart before it sinks. I think the ship was Russian or at least crewed by Russians as you hear them call for may day. Its quite sobering just how quickly these ships can vanish.
Can I get some more detail on your "Oceaneering Technology" graphic? I have some simple questions pertaining to its accuracy & legitimacy. Is it stock, available from their web site? Was this provided upon request from their PR dept.? Was AI involved at all in this rendering? Do you pay your GD staff? The last queation, to me, isnt as important as the first 3. Its the 3rd question though, that has me concerned that the 4th question obviously has something to do with the 3rd. Any clarification you can provide on this will be great! Thanks mate!
My Father was the structures engineer witness for one, if not more of the enquiries, though I believe it was the union funded one. Everyone knew, at the time of loss, of the issue of the misaligned keel box sections that didn’t meet the adjacent element at the bulkhead where the prefabricated sections were joined on the slipway. There was significant desire for this to be given the blame but the evidence just didn’t fit. All indications were that she went down bow first and the aft section then failed at the known weak point due to the stress of being lifted clear of the water as the plunge proper started. What was terrifying was the apparent speed of foundering giving little time for reaction and the enormous distance that she covered as she “sailed” gracefully down to the sea floor. Never underestimate the ferocious nature of a typhoon at sea. They’re utterly brutal and the boundary between sea and atmosphere becomes near impossible to distinguish. Rest in peace crew of the Derbyshire. Those who loved you never rested till they deduced your story as best could be achieved.❤
@waterlinestories ALL is good, getting ready for the holidays.🎄🎁 What about you? Hey, after your last video, I got a text from someone who told me to "step down, bad dog" Any idea who it might be? Have I made someone upset?
Well you open the birthday cake box so I'll step on in here about the Fitzgerald. The Edmond Fitzgerald was in abysmal condition. It had many many many many many structural problems that the owners knew damn well about and still pressed her out to make that last run. They overloaded her. On the Great lakes there are two types of loads there is the summer loadout and the winter load out and the difference is about 8 ft draft on the tonnage and water under the keel. You mentioned the hats covers the hatch covers on the mighty fits we're only held together by the rust that was inundated and consuming of the seven ton hatch covers. They were so bad that to get the seven ton hatch covers to seat on the 9/16 gasket that went around them to leave them water type the deckhands had to beat them down with a sledgehammer. The kestner clamps that were used to dog down the hatches on the Edmund Fitzgerald were in horrible shape they were painted over rusted up really really bad shape and the Fitzgerald did not have bulkheads in the cargo areas so there was no way to watertight the ship. It had what was called screen bulkheads and I don't know what the hell that's supposed to do to keep the water out because it's literally just expanded metal but that's all they had. Either one of these accidents and none of the people that were murdered by the companies ever had to have happened!!!!
How terrible for the families of these crew members. To know that the ship was doomed and the crew murdered this way and not be able to do anything about it. The company not notifying anyone that the ship was missing for 4 days. The investigation originally blaming the crew for the sinking? The ship even allowed to continue sailing after the cracks discovered in the hull just after it was launched? Greed and love of money killed these people, plain and simple.
Just found your channel and I've been bingeing your videos all evening. I want to just let you know, your channel is very underrated. Subs and views are low considering the quality content you put out. (What's up with that YT?)
No , hatch would be secured by a mechanical arrangement, known as cleats. The rope would be the end of a mooring rope which would be tied to the inside of the hatch when stowing the mooring ropes. This was to help when bring the mooring ropes out when they were required.
The Foc'sle hatch was mechanically closed using 'Cleats'. The practice as stated in the investigation was just ordinary good seamanship practice, whereby in preparation for bad weather, the cleats would of been bound together with rope to prevent them vibrating or just becoming free and loose, thus allowing the hatch to open and let water in! What started the demise of the Derbyshire was Foc'sle vents being ripped off by massive waves, thus allowing water to flood the compartments and start the domino effect!
ruclips.net/video/Id0ANSBw7RM/видео.htmlsi=ggidy5TW5Tdcs8nI This is not the original, just some random german news covering it, but the whole clip at least
The bosun store hatch was NOT left open, The DFA even said that their way of closing the hatch was tying it in the cats cradle, The hatch was dislodged by the starboard windlass which was broken off and knocked off the lid for the bosun store hatch When they analyze the wreck of the bow section, they found traces of the orange nylon rope, which was used to secure the lid of the hatch which further gave proof, but it was tied secure when they left on their voyage from Sept Isles to Kawasaki
The Foc'sle hatch would of been extra secured with rope in preparation for bad weather, not on just leaving load port, as crew would constantly be accessing it on a daily normal maintenance basis. Normally at the end of the working day the crew would of just secured the hatch with cleats.
There is a photograph of the hatch cover, it was tied down with rope and was blown off by the back pressure from inside. Thats why the relatives asked for another inquire.
I watch a lot of this type of stuff about ships sinking. There have been several instances where the crew didn’t have time to send a mayday. Isn’t there something like a fire alarm where they could just hit a button rather than having to use a radio? Sorry if this is a stupid question from a landlubber.
@requiscatinpace7392, it's hard for people who have never been to sea too understand that things can happen so fast there is nothing you can do. In a hurricane there is so much noise from the storm itself and unfortunately by the time you know something is wrong it's too late and it's not the first ship and won't be the last to disappear in a storm.
"They left the hatch open" Utter B.S. They knew the storm was coming up ahead: The first thing they would have done would be to literally "Batten Down The Hatches". If that small hatch of the Bosun's Store was later pictured "open" I would suspect that increasing air pressure , as the compartment flooded, burst it open as the ship was sinking.
I used to work in the mine which mined the ore it would have been carrying. My dad would have been working there when it sank. Unbelievable to think that my little town in northern canada would be related to this tragedy
Good research. But not a double hull. OBO's (Oil, Bulk, Ore) were absolutely an accounts dream, but seriously hard work to change from a bulk to liquid cargoes and back again. They were abortions in concept and execution. None around today is proof. There was a time during the seventies to eighties that many "flush deck" bulk carriers and tankers were built. It was cheaper yet exposed the vents to very heavy weather and there was less reserve buoyancy. They had some serious flaws and then the scantlings were lighter. (to save more money). All putting seafarers lives at risk. Now the new building rules insist in a raised fore castle. - As it should be. I have a dramatical animation of her sinking in my files. I sailed on both flush deck tankers and bulk carriers. No one deserves to die at work.
I was aboard a ro-ro container ship bound for Japan, heading into the same typhoon. Normally cruising at 21-23 knots, our speed dropped to 14 knots during the night. Late that evening, we struck a rogue wave with the force of hitting a brick wall. The massive roll caused a drop in gearbox lube oil pressure, shutting down the engines and leaving us without steering. In all my years at sea, it was one of the most terrifying experiences for me and the crew. Days later, we were deeply saddened to learn of the Derbyshire's fate.
I would have given up and got a land job at that point, How much longer at sea were you?
So the engines which drive the propellers were connected to a low oil shutoff inside the steering gearbox?
Oh my god that’s terrifying. But there have been abandoned ships that managed to stay afloat for months through storms with no one at the helm. So maybe there’s something to letting the sea just take control of the ship. Or maybe it’s just pure luck idk.
Sounds somewhat similar to the El Faro, sailing into a strong storm and having your engines taken out due to lack of oil pressure. Glad you all made it through.
@martrex, ex tankerman my self been through the same problems in bad weather but we still carried on going to sea we took the good with the bad but wouldn't change it for the world.
Surely the British Government wouldn't sit on their hands and try to sweep it under the carpet. Oh hang on ...Post Office Horizon...
It wouldn't surprise me if there were black mailing or something like it between constructing company and the British Government.
Surely the British Government wouldn't - How long you got? :)
Another glued to the seat story. Excellent. Many times in my working years issues we’re ignored by management. The point came we would report, take the brush off and stand by until failure.
The USA government would just blame brn people
Typical behaviour from upper class UK. Blame the peasants, preferably those who they are sure to have died and are unable to defend themselves.
My friend lost a cousin and his wife on board; they were the Hutchinsons - she was a really kind hearted lady and they were both well loved - thank you for a respectful and well researched video. Glad it was clarified the crew did not cause the sinking.
OMG! Did they ever recover them?
@@nw8000 No, nobody was ever found. The lifeboat found after the sinking was empty.
Not that well researched, see my comments.
I have never had my ship break up and sink from underneath me at any of my jobs on land so I think I'll stay here.
Wise. 🤣
Go on be brave it's a great life at sea.
Try driving an Austin allegro 😂
The MV Derbyshire sinking has fascinated and horrified me in equal measure. From what I can gather it was at best minutes from crew knowing something was wrong to being in the drink. I imagine some crew in their quarters would may not have realised something was wrong until water came rushing into the cabin. RIP to the crew and family.
It would have been an ordeal for certain. With the way the ship broke up, I would think most would have been awakened by the violent noises and vibrations but we really have no way of knowing. The Edmund Fitzgerald also went down with all hands but unlike Derbyshire, nobody really knows what happened except that the front half of the ship went from above water to the bottom in under 10 seconds.
Crazy to think a modern vessel of this sheer size can just succumb to the waves and go down in minutes.
Yep. All the unsinkable ships that have sunk.
Guess size doesn’t matter if u don’t handle it properly 😝😝
It’s not the size of the wave. It’s the motion of the ocean.
I still dont comprehend how a million lbs. Of steel even floats to begin with!! Haha.. jus kidding
Do you realize that a 1000ft vessel is just pebble in the ocean the ocean covers millions of square miles.
You do a great job on your videos. They're always well researched and it's obvious you have a head full of seafaring knowledge. I've learned a lot about ships and shipping from you. Thanks
Thanks. It’s an interesting topic.
You wrong about the Derbyshire construction. The Derbyshire was of single hull construction, double hull construction only came in about ten years after her construction The Derbyshire did have a double bottom and wing tanks, for ballast and fuel storage. I was a radio officer on her sister ship, MV Sir Alexander Glen call sign GUHX. Owned by Thornhope shipping and managed by Denholms of Glasgow. There where six sister ships if memory serves me correctly. They all well constructed, meeting the high standards of the time. You are correct that there was an issue of fatigue cracking in the hulls. It had a fact that all the sister ship came to grief during there working life. The Sir Alexander Glen, ended up being scrapped after losing her rudder, in the pacific.
So it had some space but wasn't a complete double hull?
The six sister ships were Furness bridge (1971), Tyne bridge (1972), English Bridge (1973), Sir John Hunter (1974), Sir Alexander Glen (1975) and finally Liverpool Bridge (1976). All carried other names during their years of service, the final one of its class being scrapped in 1997 (ex. Sir John Hunter).
@@carlmanvers5009 Not in the sense you are thinking of regarding Tankers, which only came about after Exxon Valdez calamity.
Yeah, from memory the images from the wreck showed a rope that was supposed to be lashed to the lever things that kept the hatches closed was astrey towards the bow. The enquiry determined this to mean the crew didnt lash it properly until a former crew member came forward to explain why it strayed towards the bow. I believe (although my memory is hazy) the former crew member explained that the regulation of how it was supposed to be done was fine. But the way the crew did the lashing was even better and much more secure. Or something like that. Thats why they changed there mind on crew negligence.
It's a long time since I read about the Derbyshire but I remember this hatch cover being initially suggested as being the cause of the loss because it was found on the seabed separate from the bow section (the ship didn't just sink - it disintegrated). The suggestion was that it wasn't tied down properly and thus became the means by which the forecastle flooded. The final inquiry demonstrated that it was the air vents being damaged that let the water in and that the hatch came off during the implosions, being more or less blasted off from beneath, proving that it wasn't the "ground zero" point of the accident after all.
His name was Malpas, and he had previously served as Chief Officer on board.
A crew sailing on a ship that her builders consider a death trap and shipwyard builders knowing that what they built will probably kill crews. And then a government who tries its best to hide any of it.
Edit: Sweet, Big Old Boats and Waterline Stories release within an hour. Perfect for a dark and stormy late afternoon.
IKR
I've been subbed to BoB for years. Can't believe I've just found this guy.
@@PaulRudd1941Other way round for me! Bout to check out BoB right now :)
@@Skaitania
I think the two and a half miles of water above it had a little more to do with why the government couldn't make many conclusions about what sank her. In 1980 there were only a handful of submarines in the entire world that could reach that depth.
It's obvious your interested in your subject because of your delivery, which holds the audience. Thankfull for your hard work
Thanks. 👌🏻
One of my uncles worked on oil tankers, he is now a car mechanic, but he HATED when news about any freighter sinking/lost was said. it scared him, after 1985, he quit working on them,
I'm from Liverpool, and I remember seeing the families appearing on local news trying to get the sinking investigated. It's a long while ago, but pretty sure one of the sailors onboard was very young 16 or 17.
Yep
A lot of seamen start their life at sea from 15 or 16yrs it's the norm being ex merchant navy myself. Also you end up in a .lot of war zones as well which people don't realise.
I watched this story with close interest at the time because I joined my first bulk carrier just a couple of weeks later, loaded with iron ore. Fortunately we didn't see any really bad weather for the 6 months I was aboard but I was still mighty glad to get off it.
The assumption that the focsle hatch was left open was made when underwater photos showed a mooring rope leading out from the hatch. Normal practise would be to tie the end of the last mooring rope to the inside of the hatch cover when stowing the mooring ropes. The hatch would then be secured by a system of cleats. Assumption that hatch cover was left open highly insulting to the memories of those lost , by someone that lacked knowledge of seafaring practices.
The Foc'sle hatch was mechanically closed using 'Cleats'. The practice as stated in the investigation was just ordinary good seamanship practice, whereby in preparation for bad weather, the cleats would of been bound together with rope to prevent them vibrating or just becoming free and loose, thus allowing the hatch to open and let water in!
What started the demise of the Derbyshire was Foc'sle vents being ripped off by massive waves, thus allowing water to flood the compartments and start the domino effect!
Yes, I was on a ULCC in 1986 in the similar weather conditions, off Durban, South Africa. The waves simply forced the hatch open and flooded the fore peak. Our cargo was crude oil which is lighter than water, so no problems apart from a pretty battered ship
I was born in Sunderland. My father and grandfather worked in the shipyards of Newcastle as a pattern maker/model maker and sea trial engineer respectively. We left for America in the 1960s when a lot of the yards were closing down. I ended up following my grandfather and uncle in the merchant marine-excepting, I did it in America. After graduation from a maritime academy, I could not find a 3rd mates position so I worked in the Bearing Sea as an A. B. for a year. There was a former British merchant navy able bodied seaman aboard. He knew a lot of the men that went down in the MV Derbyshire. Years later, I was chief mate aboard the RV Roger Revelle (AGOR 24) when we had to run from and eventually "hove to" off the Philippines in typhoon Morokot. Turning the ship around in such seas even with very maneuverable z drives was very interesting indeed. The ship was literally surfing down the sea when running down hill. Sundays are my cup of Joe and a sea story entertainment in my retirement. Another very well done episode. Thanks again.
I t wasnt built on the Tyne it was Haverton Hill Teeside
6 freaking days before they even launched a search then they only send two ships and two helicopters and only search for a day or two and say screw it they never stood a chance
Yes, why did some random foreign governments send their ships and planes out into a typhoon to look for a ship?
@badmonkey2222
What was a surface search ever going to find? The water there is two and a half miles deep, there were a handful of submarines in the entire world that could reach that depth in 1980.
@@CruelestChris when a mayday goes out search and rescue is ALWAYS the first phase because recovering any survivors in the water or a raft is number one priority. Then after so many hours they switch to recovery. No body knew what happened to the ship so that's why.
@badmonkey2222
But a mayday _didn't_ go out in this case.
There is no way the crew failed to secure any hatch in that weather. Shipbuilding with cost cutting on cargo hold covers caused the disaster.
What a horrible way to go
Yep
I am sure that the crew did NOT leave any hatches open but instead the force of the high seas forced the hatches open.
I was a 160 miles to the NW of her the night she was lost coming from NZ to Kobi .. Sad time , We all felt the pain .
As always, easy to understand, very informative and very well edited. I've never stepped foot on a ship my entire life, but I leave every video with some new knowledge so I can brag to my wife and pretend I'm a wise guy 😅 tks for that!
It was an error strewn video, obviously made by a non mariner!
Your rate of production of new content is astounding! Awesome to see another video from you so quickly mate.
Quantity not quality here, as it's error strewn!
Captain Dave Ramwell wrote an excellent book ‘A Ship Too Far’ about Derbyshire and her sister ships.
My mate's father was the cook on the Derbyshire. He was due to retire after that voyage. Really dreadful having to wait so long to find out what happened.
However some of us who had been to sea had a good idea what caused this tragedy.
@billyatlarge, ex merchant myself sorry he never made it, and yes land lubbers always think they know more than us who actually went to sea. But we All new the risks but would not change it for anything.
@@simplesimon182 my pal was really distraught when he heard the Derbyshire was lost with all hands. My dad was ex merchant navy and was the secretary of the Seamen's Union here in Northern Ireland. He also knew my mate's father. I got him to have a word and explain what likely happened. Not much comfort but at least it provided an answer until the report came out years later. Sad business.
Love your studio looks like a 1920's ship. Add more antiques!
When I look at this build of ship, I don't think "how a ship that big sink?" I think "Why did someone design a trough for a ship?" With the cracking and questionable hatch strength, any water getting in would be like floating a bowl in a sink full of water, then turning the faucet on over the bowl.
Because it seems engineers are never held accountable.
It wasn't the Bosun hatch that what was left up it was ventilation caps that had broke off during the storm that allowed water in
Correct, but this class was poorly built, as was the VLCC class Texaco Great Britain, ESSO Northumbria and ESSO Highbernia. All this class suffered major structural failures. Texaco Great Britain broke her back and was repaired, but later had a transverse bulkhead collapse and was scrapped.
I used to fish on the wreck of the sister ship, Kowloon Bridge. Also broke up in heavy weather.
I worked for the company that acquired Oceanroutes. I can remember the lawsuits still between DFA and others through 2000.
My fiancé and I had set the date of our wedding on Sept. 27, 1980. My future mother in laws best friend was one of Captain Underhills sisters, Barbara. Barbara was a very important part of our social circle and we planned our wedding date based on that groups availability to attend. Barbara left for England immediately after being notified that the Derbyshire had gone missing and missed our wedding.
A tragic loss well represented but just a note, the ship was built at Swan Hunters yard at Haverton Hill Middlesbrough rather than their yard on the Tyne.
4 days? No rush lads, ffs
Throughout this video, I'm cringing and overwhelmed with empathy for the crew and their families. I hope some kind of huge and painful class action law suite was filed against the companies that owned the ship/ knew about the design flaws. Your video was excellent✅
👍🏻
Error strewn video.
The fact that the waters of the world can make entire creations of incredible size disappear will always give me the chills.
That oceans are far bigger than even the largest ships made.
Well yea deepest part of the ocean is 7 miles or like 36,000 feet. Titanic is at 12,500 feet, thats a lot of water to sink in 😱
I’m sure that it was built in the Haverton hill yard in Teesside as they had to remove its funnel to allow it to pass under the transporter bridge.
does anyone else find it crazy that the company waited 4 days before alerting authorities and the search didn’t begin for 6 days?? if there were survivors they would be long dead at that point.
I don't know if I missed it, but I find it very disturbing that there isn't enough pressure on the engineers constructing ships like this to do something about the problems around frame 65. It should not have to take 10-15 years for this to be fixed! Or at least the newly built ships should have another design!
These videos helped me understand the metric system better. Also my relative loves crime stories so naturally I've turned them onto your channel aswell. Pls keep making videos my guy
You are an amazing story teller. And I am always impressed with how respectful you are when explaining what happened. Have you done the SS Pendleton? It's such a bonkers story with an amazing rescue.
You're spoiling us this week ! 👍
Tis the season to be jolly.
@@waterlinestoriescheers for all your hard work man, all the best for the holidays and new year 🎉
Your life is always in the hands of others, imagine that.
If the creator made a mistake, or the builders made a mistake and you have to rely on it :/
Worked with a foreman who was involved in the construction of these ships,he left the company who was building them for dangerous welding practices during the construction,he told me he reported it tothe manabme t and was told to keep it quiet,he had no option but to quit.RIP to all crew members .
What a great way to spend a Saturday! Thanks!
Thanks I really appreciate that. 👌🏻
Cheque is in the post! 😉
All it took was two minutes. And to think this sinking was predicted in the shipyard. They should have listened to the actual boat builders!
Out shopping with the wife when I get alerted to a new video. Get home as fast as I can, offload the groceries..... Enjoy!
🤣
Cheque is in the post!
Thank you bro always look forward to these videos
These ships are designed to maximize the cargo-carrying capability and to minimize the running costs. They are not designed to handle extreme weather conditions. Maybe the captain had successfully previously sailed through extreme weather conditions and thus overestimated his own abilities and the ship's capabilities. Also, taking cover in any port until the storm has passed is safer but it loses money.
You are obviously not a maritime professional! What an un-educated comment.
Most companies will seek to blame workers instead of technology. Of course employees can make mistakes but oftentimes the technology utilized is an end product involving low bids and cost cutting shortcuts.
Thanks
Your videos are so captivating that I sometimes have to replay the video just so that I can hit the like button.
Thanks. That’s what I like to hear😀
Brilliant video. I’d love to see you give the WS treatment to the SS Marine Electric and how it led to the US Coast Guard’s rescue swimmer program.
Love your channel! Please keep up the great work you do!!
Tragic. To continue to use these vessels with known structural deficiencies is Inexcusable. Criminal in my opinion . I really wish I knew what the architects and engineers were thinking or perhaps not thinking. GOD rest their souls and comfort their families.
Your channel is spittin facts,Luv this!
👍🏻😀
This video is error strewn and factually incorrect!
How on earth is something named “the floating death trap” by its builders allowed to be put into service?
Same way how most people neglect car mechanics' advising on changing _this_ or _that_ .
@ yeah but this was called that when it came off the production line
The customer didn't ask them
Can you imagine that being the official name at the launch ceremony?
"I christen thee 'The Floating Deathtrap'. May God bless this ship and any unlucky bastard who drew the short straw and has to sail on her."
Wow. Sign me up.
@@carlmanvers5009sounds like a challenge.
Happy Saturday, waterliners 🏴🏴
🎉
There have been a few ships like this one with this shape as well as oil tankers that have not survived ed rough seas.
An old friend of mine lost a good mate when she went Down, he was from HALEWOOD, SOUTH LIVERPOOL.
I've always had an interest in this ship as its names after the county where I live in the UK.
The Bibby Line seems to have given lots of their ships UK place names, in my opinion the old Derbyshire and their WWII - era ocean liners were some of the prettiest steamships ever built.
All companies tend to follow a theme whether that be ancient greek mythology, or in Bibby's case county names, or even less imaginative modern stuff like Hyundai No.2, No.3 and so on!
I find these maritime disaster documentaries fascinating, even though my knowledge of shipping is nil (I can't even comprehend, how something made of metal can float).
The wild thing was that the bow goes under and ship starts sinking. The hull implodes and the ship sinks even faster, so fast the crew are under water before they know anything happens. It's sad that the ship was a death trap from the very start.
Very informative & well put together - more please, you’re doing great 👍 ✌️
But incorrect.
I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing. The company thought they had a set of good shiny ships to move cargo. Maybe the workers in the shipyards were dubious but I'm sure the shipbuilders didn't inform the designers about the concerns. Eventually it is determined to be a cause unrelated to the frame weakness but the insufficiently strong hatch covers etc. It looks like no individual really screwed up at the time, more a case of misunderstood risks with tragic consequences.
2:40 this photo seems to be of a different Derbyshire of an older design…..I don’t see any way the hull form shown there could have been modified to become what was the Derbyshire pictured supposedly a short few years later.
That was the old Derbyshire! (Different ship)
Sad, chilling history! It really gripped me.😢😮
Thank you.
They always have to blame the crew first so they can avert any responsibility for the loss. It's aggravating to think about it.
Sounds like the Brittish Government were using the ol' Delay Deny Defend tactic
They were using the "you really want us to spend millions of pounds investigating why a private company's ship sunk?" tactic.
@therealmrfishpaste true, but causing the death of their citizens which were crew mates onboard when there was evidence of the ship having structural issues inherent in the design.
I'd like to think people are worth more than money considering they pay taxes and benefit society.
So the same tactic they always use ? 😂😂😂
I Mean it's the old reliable tactic to keep those that get rich by cut costing getting richer. Just the normal Westminster mindset....
I got this notification while watching another one of your videos, lol
Gotta work your way through them.
@ i don’t know how i fall asleep to your commercial diving accidents playlist and not have nightmares, but I do somehow
That's a bonus! 😜
Your videos are so informative.Well done
These videos are just awesome !!.. thank you for all the work that must go into making them !..WELL DONE 👍!
Thanks I appreciate that. Yes plenty of work to make.
took a long time for the familys to get closure
it shows an extended group of victims, not just those on board
Deeerrrrr........ the British Gov. certified it seaworthy . Then the British Gov. investigated the loss. Lets blame the crew ......... These ships were sinking at a rate of 1 per month but most had mixed crew or third world on board, but the Derbyshire was full British crew so thank goodness for the family and union in their persistence for the truth.... RIP Crew of Derbyshire and all the other crews of this type of vessel no one felt the need to investigate....
Excellent content as always
I've seen footage from a similar style ship going thru a storm and its hull snaps and sinks within a minute. From the video you can see the upper deck break into 2 pieces as the hull pulls apart before it sinks. I think the ship was Russian or at least crewed by Russians as you hear them call for may day. Its quite sobering just how quickly these ships can vanish.
Can I get some more detail on your "Oceaneering Technology" graphic? I have some simple questions pertaining to its accuracy & legitimacy.
Is it stock, available from their web site?
Was this provided upon request from their PR dept.? Was AI involved at all in this rendering? Do you pay your GD staff? The last queation, to me, isnt as important as the first 3. Its the 3rd question though, that has me concerned that the 4th question obviously has something to do with the 3rd. Any clarification you can provide on this will be great! Thanks mate!
My Father was the structures engineer witness for one, if not more of the enquiries, though I believe it was the union funded one. Everyone knew, at the time of loss, of the issue of the misaligned keel box sections that didn’t meet the adjacent element at the bulkhead where the prefabricated sections were joined on the slipway. There was significant desire for this to be given the blame but the evidence just didn’t fit.
All indications were that she went down bow first and the aft section then failed at the known weak point due to the stress of being lifted clear of the water as the plunge proper started.
What was terrifying was the apparent speed of foundering giving little time for reaction and the enormous distance that she covered as she “sailed” gracefully down to the sea floor.
Never underestimate the ferocious nature of a typhoon at sea. They’re utterly brutal and the boundary between sea and atmosphere becomes near impossible to distinguish. Rest in peace crew of the Derbyshire. Those who loved you never rested till they deduced your story as best could be achieved.❤
Nice, I read a lot of MAIRs and haven't heard of this one, thanks.
👌🏻 yes always good to hear a new story.
Lead a sheltered life do we? This ship changed how subsequent ships were designed.
The Brits seem to really hate investigating ship sinkings as this is the 2nd one I've seen a video on that they refused to investigate at first.
built in
England
designed in England
dont want to know of the terrible designe of English work
Good afternoon, Paul. I see that you did another great video, and you're looking very good doing it. Hope all is well. 😉😉
Thanks Beverley. Yes all well. I hope you are too😀👍🏻
@waterlinestories I'm fine, getting ready for the holidays. Hey, I got a text from some woman telling me to "stop and down dog." Have I upset someone
@waterlinestories ALL is good, getting ready for the holidays.🎄🎁 What about you? Hey, after your last video, I got a text from someone who told me to "step down, bad dog" Any idea who it might be? Have I made someone upset?
Well you open the birthday cake box so I'll step on in here about the Fitzgerald. The Edmond Fitzgerald was in abysmal condition. It had many many many many many structural problems that the owners knew damn well about and still pressed her out to make that last run. They overloaded her. On the Great lakes there are two types of loads there is the summer loadout and the winter load out and the difference is about 8 ft draft on the tonnage and water under the keel. You mentioned the hats covers the hatch covers on the mighty fits we're only held together by the rust that was inundated and consuming of the seven ton hatch covers. They were so bad that to get the seven ton hatch covers to seat on the 9/16 gasket that went around them to leave them water type the deckhands had to beat them down with a sledgehammer. The kestner clamps that were used to dog down the hatches on the Edmund Fitzgerald were in horrible shape they were painted over rusted up really really bad shape and the Fitzgerald did not have bulkheads in the cargo areas so there was no way to watertight the ship. It had what was called screen bulkheads and I don't know what the hell that's supposed to do to keep the water out because it's literally just expanded metal but that's all they had. Either one of these accidents and none of the people that were murdered by the companies ever had to have happened!!!!
How terrible for the families of these crew members. To know that the ship was doomed and the crew murdered this way and not be able to do anything about it. The company not notifying anyone that the ship was missing for 4 days. The investigation originally blaming the crew for the sinking? The ship even allowed to continue sailing after the cracks discovered in the hull just after it was launched?
Greed and love of money killed these people, plain and simple.
like airplane crew
and evan railways
blame the crew
go home for a beer
There is something very eerie and haunting about seeing video footage of a stricken vessel like this.
Excellent presentation. Thank you for sharing.
Just found your channel and I've been bingeing your videos all evening. I want to just let you know, your channel is very underrated. Subs and views are low considering the quality content you put out.
(What's up with that YT?)
I was always told the Foxal/Bosun hatch was closed (tied down with rope) but opened up by the sea.
No , hatch would be secured by a mechanical arrangement, known as cleats. The rope would be the end of a mooring rope which would be tied to the inside of the hatch when stowing the mooring ropes. This was to help when bring the mooring ropes out when they were required.
The Foc'sle hatch was mechanically closed using 'Cleats'. The practice as stated in the investigation was just ordinary good seamanship practice, whereby in preparation for bad weather, the cleats would of been bound together with rope to prevent them vibrating or just becoming free and loose, thus allowing the hatch to open and let water in!
What started the demise of the Derbyshire was Foc'sle vents being ripped off by massive waves, thus allowing water to flood the compartments and start the domino effect!
Having watched many of these ship disasters on RUclips. I have decided I will never go out to sea in anything under 500 000 tons.
Does anyone know where to find the original video from the clip at 15:27 ?
ruclips.net/video/Id0ANSBw7RM/видео.htmlsi=ggidy5TW5Tdcs8nI
This is not the original, just some random german news covering it, but the whole clip at least
Water came in the foredeck vent pipes resulting in flooding of the bow compartments and chain locker. Poor design.
Have you thought about covering the ship that ran ashore in Newcastle NSW?
The Pasha Bulker. I’ve put it on a list to evaluate. Thanks for the suggestion
The bosun store hatch was NOT left open, The DFA even said that their way of closing the hatch was tying it in the cats cradle, The hatch was dislodged by the starboard windlass which was broken off and knocked off the lid for the bosun store hatch
When they analyze the wreck of the bow section, they found traces of the orange nylon rope, which was used to secure the lid of the hatch which further gave proof, but it was tied secure when they left on their voyage from Sept Isles to Kawasaki
The Foc'sle hatch would of been extra secured with rope in preparation for bad weather, not on just leaving load port, as crew would constantly be accessing it on a daily normal maintenance basis. Normally at the end of the working day the crew would of just secured the hatch with cleats.
There is a photograph of the hatch cover, it was tied down with rope and was blown off by the back pressure from inside. Thats why the relatives asked for another inquire.
Amazing that they found the wreckage that deep in a single day of search.
I watch a lot of this type of stuff about ships sinking. There have been several instances where the crew didn’t have time to send a mayday. Isn’t there something like a fire alarm where they could just hit a button rather than having to use a radio? Sorry if this is a stupid question from a landlubber.
@requiscatinpace7392, it's hard for people who have never been to sea too understand that things can happen so fast there is nothing you can do. In a hurricane there is so much noise from the storm itself and unfortunately by the time you know something is wrong it's too late and it's not the first ship and won't be the last to disappear in a storm.
Yes.
"They left the hatch open" Utter B.S. They knew the storm was coming up ahead: The first thing they would have done would be to literally "Batten Down The Hatches".
If that small hatch of the Bosun's Store was later pictured "open" I would suspect that increasing air pressure , as the compartment flooded, burst it open as the ship was sinking.
Sup Watty! Another banger I expect. Keep it up eh bruv :)
I used to work in the mine which mined the ore it would have been carrying. My dad would have been working there when it sank. Unbelievable to think that my little town in northern canada would be related to this tragedy
Question, why would the weight of seawater in the empty holds have more effect on the sinking than if the holds had been full of Iron Ore ?
Physics.
Good research. But not a double hull. OBO's (Oil, Bulk, Ore) were absolutely an accounts dream, but seriously hard work to change from a bulk to liquid cargoes and back again. They were abortions in concept and execution. None around today is proof. There was a time during the seventies to eighties that many "flush deck" bulk carriers and tankers were built. It was cheaper yet exposed the vents to very heavy weather and there was less reserve buoyancy. They had some serious flaws and then the scantlings were lighter. (to save more money). All putting seafarers lives at risk. Now the new building rules insist in a raised fore castle. - As it should be. I have a dramatical animation of her sinking in my files. I sailed on both flush deck tankers and bulk carriers.
No one deserves to die at work.
Sorry, but this video was error strewn and not well checked. And yes, there are still OBO's (not oh-bee-oh's) around!
I've worked on Bibby vessels. Thankfully just dumb barges and accommodation barges, but still