Dive into the Great Lakes most legendary stories.
All material (c) 2023 Airworthy Productions- Written permission required for rebroadcast or sampling
Watch 40 years of Maritime Videos on Ric’s YouTube Channel HERE!
Safe Ashore:
The Armistice Day Storm of 1940
Steering into Disaster: Len and the Cedarville
Bangor’s Keweenaw Car Collection
Cutter Rescues: WPG 77 Escanaba
Smoke on the Water: The Jupiter
The Explosion of the Largest Tanker ever Lost on the Lakes
The Most Famous Shipwrecks of All Time
Wreck of the Whaleback Henry Cort
Nov. ‘66: Nordmeer, Morrell & Dennis Hale
November 1966: Dennis, the Morrell and the Nordmeer
Dennis Hale’s amazing survival is only part of the story…
Ric Mixter shares his exclusive interviews with Dennis and rare audio of his first public speech about the shipwreck in 1982. Also included are the stories of the City of Midland and Nordmeer, where the Coast Guard’s most famous aerial rescue took place.
The Ship Time Forgot: The Carl D. Bradley
The Carl D. Bradley- Queen of the Lakes for over 20 years.
The carl d. bradley
The largest shipwreck in Lake Michigan still holds many secrets. Ric Mixter opens his archive of interviews which include not only the survivor, but three men who raced out in two Coast Guard ships to save Mays and First Mate Elmer Fleming. Ric also shares an in-depth look at the 1958 and 1995 expeditions to the wreck.
Smoke on the Water: The Jupiter Explosion
The buffalo
Eyewitnesses disagree on whether the ship was going too fast in the river.
top story
Awards for coverage for one of the biggest stories ever in MidMichigan.
A podcast with it all:
From initial news reports to the inquiry and interviews with those who were awarded medals. Narrated by a newsperson who was on the scene.
The King of Storms: 1913
Plymouth after a rebuild in Bay City, MI
Lake Michigan
A tiny tug attempts to pull a schooner through the gale and seven lives are lost. The only clues to what happened are found in a bottled message.
Louisiana’s crew crashes ashore.. and catches fire.
Lake Superior
Hear from a survivor who was aboard the Turret Cape on Lake Superior.
Divers explain how they found the elusive HB Smith, which left Marquette’s harbor without securing its hatches.
Lake Erie
The first time the Lighthouse Service loses a ship and its entire crew.
The search and recovery of Light Vessel 82 and the mystery behind the message scratched into its wreckage.
Lake Huron: EPICENTER OF DISASTER
An overturned 500-foot freighter leaves the nation guessing on its name.
Bodies and wreckage from the Argus, Hydrus, and Carruthers come ashore in Ontario.
An eyewitness to the Scott, Wexford, Price and Regina during the storm.
THE GREAT EQUINOCTAL BLOW OF 1887
Tawas Point is littered with pieces of shipwrecks.
Author Wes Oleszewski remembers wading out to the wreckage of a shipwreck when he was a young man. Today, the author of some of the most popular Great Lakes shipwreck books is searching for clues to where the wrecks may have gone. Host Ric Mixter joins him in the search and fills listeners in on the massive storms that destroyed the vessels.
Wes walks Tawas Beach in search of shipwrecks
Wes examines a board found on the bottom of Tawas Bay, MI.
Ric Mixter and Wes Oleszewski at Tawas Point Lighthouse
The Most Famous Coast Guard Cutter You’ve Never Heard of.
When the USCG cutter Escanaba splashed in sideways into the Saginaw River, it was the first of her kind. 165 feet long, it was steel reinforced to take on the worst winters on the Great Lakes. Esky was immediately put into action, saving countless lives on Lake Michigan and routinely breaking open the Straits of Mackinac each spring. World War II called the ship to the North Atlantic, where the crew saved over 100 lives in one of the worst Nazi submarine attacks during the war. Listen to a survivor from the Dorchester, who was dragged aboard the cutter after being submerged in the freezing waters. Only a few months later, the Esky mysteriously exploded while guarding another convoy, and only three men were rescued. Hear from one of the survivors as well as the captain of the tug (another Great Lakes built ship) that pulled him to safety. It’s a Mixtory exclusive!
Escanaba breaks ice on Lake Michigan
Melvin Baldwin and Ray O’Malley survived the sinking of the Escanaba
Four chaplains gave up their lifejackets to save others
A close-up of the lifeboat and strong-back (lower right pole).
the 1940 Armistice Day Storm
The Coast Guard Wouldn’t Go Out.
The cutter Escanaba was being refit for war duty when the worst storm on Lake Michigan slammed into Michigan. It wiped out three freighters and killed 60 sailors, leaving only survivors aboard the tiny freighter Novadoc. This exclusive podcast includes two survivors as well as the men who rescued the crew of the Sinaloa. Listen as 126 mile-per-hour winds are detailed as 19 men are battered by 20 foot waves near Mears, Michigan. Three local fishermen did what many felt was impossible, plucking the 17 remaining sailors from the icy deck and returning them to the Coast Guard station in Pentwater.
A warm fall day turned to blizzard in minutes, paralyzing Lake Michigan
Fishermen Joe Fountain, Corky Fisher and Capt. Clyde Cross
Dave Trotter searches for accurate coordinates for the William Davock
The SS Sinaloa wrecked near Sac Bay in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Novadoc’s back was broken by the 126-mph winds.
Capt. Billy Allen of the doomed freighter SS William Davock
Coal still in the firebox of the SS Anna C Minch
A diver visits the bow of the Novadoc.
Crew of the Novadoc warm at the Coast Guard’s potbelly stove
SAFE ASHORE is a documentary by Ric Mixter which shares eyewitness accounts to Lake Michigan’s worst gale. Buy the program here.
A LIFESAVING LEGACY
The Captains Larsen
James Larsen came to the United States as a boatbuilder. He single handedly saved an entire schooner crew during a killer gale and then sailed with his son into another storm that sank his ship on Lake Huron. That son would bring the last schooner to the Great Lakes and then sail into a foggy collision that destroyed the Viator on Thunder Bay. It’s a Mixstory you won’t believe.
James Larsen saved an entire crew in the storm that took Alpena and over 100 lives.
Setting sail out of Chicago in 1921.
Jitka Hanakova photo of the Viator’s side where Ormidale collided
Ric Mixter snorkeling the remains of the Skeele
Steamship Ormidale which collided with the Norwegian ship Viator
The Edward Steele wrecked on Barrie Island Ontario
Hull piece of the Skeele
Steering Into Disaster: The Cedarville Collision
The Most Famous Shipwrecks of All Time
Utnapishtim’s ark
Early Sumerian accounts of a cataclysmic flood predate the Bible’s Genesis story by a thousand years, but many details are similar. An angered deity wishes to destroy all that is on Earth but one family is selected to repopulate the planet.
Santa Maria
In 1492 Christopher Columbus spent 70 days sailing the Atlantic aboard his flagship named for the Virgin Mary. On Christmas Day of that year the ship was run aground when the cabin boy was allowed to steer it. Recently it was announced the shipwreck was found… but researchers don’t believe it. The podcast has more on why this ‘discovery’ is about as controversial as it’s pilot’s voyage to America.
Ra’s solar ships
Some of the most intact shipwrecks found were actually stored as ‘kits’ to be assembled in the afterlife for deceased pharaohs. These early designs are also compared to Phoenician examples found in the Mediterranean Sea. The podcast has more on what has been found and the cargos they traded some 4 thousand years ago.
TITANIC
It’s certainly the most recognized shipwreck ever, but what is Titanic’s significance? Ric Mixter dives into the story.
Keweenaw’s Chrysler Car Collection: The City of Bangor Shipwreck
Launched in March of 1896 at Wheeler Shipyard, Bay City, MI
City of Bangor was launched right after another famous Keweenaw wreck, the LC Waldo.
Wrecked on the Keweenaw Peninsula Nov 31, 1926
Frozen Chryslers on deck- a dozen were lost overboard but over 200 were recovered.
A wooden ramp helps salvors remove $250,000 worth of new cars.
Plowing a road to the shipwreck through the thick wilderness.
One car remains at a museum dedicated to the lifesavers who saved the Bangor’s crew.
The Gale of May 1894
Chicago’s infamous storm
A macabre parade of broken ships that was witnessed by thousands. Today the locations remain a mystery.
A Useless Exhibit
25 million people experienced a lifesaver’s life during the World’s Fair, but when Chicago’s worst storm hit, they were too far away to help.
Myrtle’s Mystery Woman
Was it a make-believe story or a mistress aboard the schooner?
Ric’s Podcast from the mega-yacht Le Bellot: “Magical Mackinac”
Lineage of a Legend: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Sea Trials of the Edmund Fitzgerald 1958
Podcast 1-Lineage of a Legend
Ric’s exclusive Podcast Series on the Fitzgerald begins with a history of the owners of the ship and how an insurance company got involved with the largest lake freighter built in 1958. The Fitzgerald maritime legacy is also discussed as are exclusive interviews with the men who welded, drilled and lifted the pieces of what would become a legend.
Ric’s first podcast has new information on a stress crack found in the ground as the ship was built, as well as newly discovered footage of a shipwreck painting that hung in the Mighty Fitz’s guest room. Click HERE to pay for the podcast!
Named for Edmund Fitzgerald’s father, the W.E. Fitzgerald was also launched on the Detroit River.
Ric Mixter with Fitz “chipper” Ed Domanski
Podcast 2- The Toledo Express: Record Breaker
Meet the first captains, cooks and engineers of the most famous ship to sail the lakes! The “old cook” speaks out about issues with the ship as well as the secret on how Capt. Pulcer brought in record cargos in a ship that was no longer the largest sailing. Ric also shares the story of Silver Bay, where the Mighty Fitz loaded most of its iron ore. From the Fitz’s maiden voyage to its only stop at their ‘homeport’ of Milwaukee- this podcast also ventures into accusations that the ship had a loose keel. Click HERE to buy all five episodes of the Fitzgerald Podcast!
The Fitzgerald visits its homeport of Milwaukee in 1959.
Squeezing through the Soo on its maiden trip
Capt. Dick Orgel was relief 3rd Mate on the Fitz
Capt. Bert Lambert was the first skipper of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Capt. Peter Pulcer
On the chadburn in Fitzgerald’s pilothouse
Fitz Podcast 3- “Feet Wet“
Capt. Cooper talks frankly about the reality of shipwreck, saying sailors always know of the possibility of getting their feet wet. Ric Mixter shares new information on Cooper’s connection to the Armistice Day Storm of 1940 and the loss of the Steel Vendor as Coast Guard radio traffic that shows the frustration of the search for 29 sailors that disappeared in the storm. Why didn’t the Roesch head out? What was it like on the Woodrush as they sailed the storm to look for survivors? Who discovered the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Click HERE to buy all five podcasts in the series for $20. This special episode is available as a single hour long podcast for just $5. Click HERE for this special offer.
Capt. Jessie “Bernie” Cooper
Ric Mixter with Capt. Jimmie Hobaugh and his wife Virginia
Sensor operator from the squadron that found the Fitzgerald.
Podcast Four: Coast Guard Throws a CURV
From the Fitzgerald’s aerial discovery by P3 Orions to the Woodrush’s crushed buoys during the first robotic survey, its all in this eyewitness podcast. You’ll hear from the Navy crews that used anti-submarine technology to find the wreck and the men on the Coast Guard cutter as they describe what it was like to put sidescan in the water to unlock mysteries from the disaster. Capt. Jim Wilson, a lead investigator for the Fitzgerald inquiry also offers his insight into what it was like searching the depths for clues. This includes extensive commentary on Chummy Banks and the infamous 6 Fathom Shoal. Buy this podcast along with all five Fitzgerald episodes (four hours of narration and commentary!) by clicking HERE.
Jim Clary’s stunning port side view of the wreck. You can buy his images by clicking on the picture.
PODCAST 5: OFF LIMITS- Dives to the Great Lakes Most Famous Shipwreck
From the visit by Cousteau’s Calypso to the bell raising mission, here are all the expeditions told by the men who were there. This special hour long podcast features underwater commentary by host Ric Mixter as he spends nearly two hours on the bottom of Lake Superior. Featuring interviews with Tom Farnquist, Tim Askew, Ken Vrana, John Schwartz, Jean Michel Cousteau, Dr. Joe MacInnis, Fred Shannon, Capt. Bernie Cooper, Bruce Fuoco and Capt. Jim Wilson, this podcast is unparalleled in its content. You can buy the series for just $20. Click HERE to start listening!
Bruce Fuoco surfaces in the Newt Suit after recovering the ship’s bell.
Ric Mixter interviews Tom Farnquist, who has been on three Fitzgerald dives
Ric Mixter peers into Delta’s conning tower before his dive.
Sou Coupe pilot Albert Falco
Fitzgerald’s bell is put on the deck of Anglian Lady
Clelia prepares for a dive
Click on Jim Clary’s painting to find order information
10 Things YOU DIDN’T KNOW about the Edmund Fitzgerald!
EPISODE ONE
Liferafts have saved hundreds of people during storms- but the four boats on the Fitz turned up empty. Three are in museums- and here is the story on one of them.
EPISODE FOUR
A propeller wasn’t the only thing I found on my submersible visit to the back end of the Fitzgerald. A strange piece of metal is wrapped around the shaft, and you won’t believe where it came from.
Episode Seven
The coordinator of the rescue attempt for the Fitzgerald had been in a killer November gale himself. Hear from the only man who survived when the Daniel J. Morrell ripped in two on Lake Huron.
EPISODE 10
Gordon Lightfoot turned millions of people into history lovers, but his song isn’t entirely accurate. Even the article that spawned this hit song had mistakes that even led Casey Kasem astray.
EPISODE TWO
Company records show a mass purchase of Hills Brothers Coffee on July 26, 1975. Bet you didn’t know why. Ric Mixter explains.
EPISODE FIVE
Fitzgerald lost its radars at a crucial time but it wasn’t the first time the systems had failed them that year. Here are several other times the technology quit in 1975.
episode 8
Fitzgerald carried record amounts of ore through the Soo Locks, but what did that mean as far as dollars? Ric adds up a total for not only Oglebay Norton, but for the ship’s owners- Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
EPISODE THREE
Fitzgerald’s storm was horrifying, but not even close to the worst. Capt. Cooper talks about the time when three freighters were destroyed and the strange connection between his boat and the most famous shipwreck in history. Betcha didn’t know this!
EPISODE SIX
Two Navy P3’s discovered the broken hulk of the Fitzgerald using state-of-the-art anti-submarine technology. Ric discovers in this episode that one of the planes may still exist.. and the one that originally found the Fitz was destroyed on Nov. 10th!
episode 9
Fitzgerald wasn’t the only boat lost on Lake Superior that night. The Coast Guard and Sheriff Department had a frantic search underway for several missing fishermen. Here’s what happened to them.