AL283 The SS Kamloops and Old Whitey

Original Airdate 05.11.2024 (On Podcast Audio Platforms)
When most of us think of shipwrecks, images of rough ocean waves and sailing vessels of yore come to mind. But those familiar with the Great Lakes region of the north-central United States and southern Canada know all too well that these massive bodies of fresh water produce devastating storms and treacherous swells to rival any sea. Estimates are that around 6000 vessels and 30,000 lives have fallen victim to their notoriously severe weather and deadly waters. In December 1927, a "raging blizzard" on Lake Superior claimed the steamship SS Kamloops and all 22 souls aboard. But was she really a "Ghost Ship," as the legends often describe? The ship went missing and remained undiscovered until 1977 but is in unusually, reasonably intact condition. So, although the wreck was found, the SS Kamloops is still known for a ghost of its own. At least one crew member remains, still manning his station, who is perhaps both a ghost and a corpse. Some divers on the wreck have claimed that the body of this crewman follows them around as they explore, known as "Old Whitey" because of his appearance. Others have also claimed to see a spirit nicknamed "Grandpa" because of his appearance, still on duty in the icy depths. Are these beings the same, and are their perceived actions the result of fluid dynamics and decompression sickness? Join us as we take a deep dive to get to the bottom of the legend of the SS Kamloops and Old Whitey.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 - Astonishing Legends Network
00:05:40 - New Podcast Release
00:10:49 - The treacherous nature of shipping on water
00:16:19 - The Tragic Fire on the Ship SS Cam loops
00:21:22 - The Washington Post and Reliable News Sources
00:26:14 - The Origins of the Name "Cam Loops"
00:31:40 - Ships and Shipwrecks around Isle Royale
00:36:45 - The Camloops' Shipping Journey
00:42:00 - The Struggle in the Ice
00:47:13 - Financial Shenanigans and the SS Cam Loops
00:52:13 - Cleaning up the Mess
0:57:22 - The Perfect Storm on the Great Lakes
01:02:33 - Tragic Incident on the Lampton
01:07:23 - The Disappearance of the Cam Loops
01:12:35 - Mysterious Disappearance of the Naval Base Ship
01:17:21 - The Search for the Cam Loops Continues
01:22:14 - Recovery of Bodies and Debris
01:27:17 - Search for Survivors
01:31:57 - The Fate of the Camloops Crew
01:36:36 - Helping Women Stay Safe from Murder
01:42:28 - The Search for the Ship Resumes
01:47:51 - The Discovery of the Wreckage of Cam Loop's
01:52:45 - The SS Campblair's wreckage
01:57:56 - Diving the Great Lakes: Danger and Ghostly Encounters
02:02:53 - The Mystery of Old Whitey and the Soap Lady
02:07:56 - Alice's Note Discovered
02:13:42 - Astonishing Junk Drawer