Explained: The Letter of Last Resort

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 29 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,8 тис.

  • @AntifoulAwl
    @AntifoulAwl 8 років тому +1212

    Bomb goes off, Captain opens the letter to find that it's one of those stupid chain letters that tells him he must pass the letter on or suffer bad luck.

    • @archpigeon
      @archpigeon 8 років тому +27

      Antifoul Awl or worse, it tells the crew they have PPI

    • @advorak8529
      @advorak8529 5 років тому +52

      No problem - they can just place copies of the letter next to the nuclear warheads and arrange for express delivery to a number of places. The letters will have quite an impact and leave a permanent impression when they arrive.

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns 5 років тому +22

      @@advorak8529 It also justifies the bad luck of the recipients, as they are not sending the letter on.

    • @seantaggart7382
      @seantaggart7382 3 роки тому

      @@advorak8529 yeah you open the letter
      And its like hearing you got terminal cancer
      Its like *oh god what will i do*
      I think some people will Be hesitant to push the buttons

    • @Ewanderer42
      @Ewanderer42 Рік тому +2

      "We have been trying to reach out to you about your extended car warranty."

  • @l0lLorenzol0l
    @l0lLorenzol0l 8 років тому +1510

    The US and Russia use codes with dozens of digits and supre precise locks make to withstand c4 blasts.
    The UK uses a bike lock and an English officers honour.

    • @TheCzarcastic
      @TheCzarcastic 8 років тому +158

      The US has an idiot holding the launch codes.

    • @l0lLorenzol0l
      @l0lLorenzol0l 8 років тому +205

      >An idiot
      >Wanting better relations with Russia
      Yeah. Madam Hillary "Treat cyberattacks like military action" Clinton would have been much better right?

    • @l0lLorenzol0l
      @l0lLorenzol0l 8 років тому +158

      You're trolling. You obviously have no idea of how fucked we would be in case of a total nuclear war. Any benefits from the depopulation caused by it would be totaly negated by the destruction of the entire infrastructure, economy, agriculture and nuclear fallout.
      Please refrain from speaking in the future as to not lower the IQ of the planet.

    • @TheCzarcastic
      @TheCzarcastic 8 років тому +17

      Wow, good going, social justice warrior

    • @MrFrostburner
      @MrFrostburner 8 років тому +79

      Your trolling doesn't even make sense.

  • @jonarnar1383
    @jonarnar1383 8 років тому +1765

    Giving iceland an armed nuclear submarine
    I like it

    • @elliotwagstaff8685
      @elliotwagstaff8685 8 років тому +15

      The Red Pillow Iceland should be given nothing but a kick up their self absorbed asses.

    • @bigglessy
      @bigglessy 8 років тому +146

      The Icelanders would probably turn it into a nightclub parked in Reykjavik harbour.

    • @Robbnlinzi
      @Robbnlinzi 8 років тому +6

      Júlíus Viggó Ólafsson having seen Iceland. I've seen the disused airways and shelters. We kind of used you and we are not regretting that. But we are sorry.

    • @jamesmccann531
      @jamesmccann531 8 років тому +7

      All I see in the Cod Wars is Iceland claiming international waters as their own, and then needlessly attacking British ships, even though Britain refused to accept it. Looks to me like Iceland was a spoilt child who got their way when NATO, their parents, stepped in.

    • @jonarnar1383
      @jonarnar1383 8 років тому +19

      hames tree Britain started fishing in our waters so iceland retaliated.
      saying that iceland was a spoiled child is then saying that Britain was the big kid in the playground that thought he could do whatever he wanted without punishment

  • @moechano
    @moechano 8 років тому +2353

    Dear HMS Vanguard
    Please delete my internet browsing history
    Thanks

    • @RikkiSan1
      @RikkiSan1 8 років тому +49

      Moe Chan I think and radiation and emp from the nuke blast would take care of that easily.

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +97

      And do not look into my sock drawer. Just don't.

    • @Dumb-Comment
      @Dumb-Comment 8 років тому +8

      Moe Chan why would they keep all the shit from around the world :) the government have weird fetish

    • @demukazz
      @demukazz 8 років тому +9

      sock drawer? What people usually hide there? Cause my sock drawer have only socks in it...

    • @filip5949
      @filip5949 8 років тому +6

      People cum in their socks

  • @Wendoverproductions
    @Wendoverproductions 8 років тому +656

    Great video! It's awesome to compare the production quality of this to your videos from a year ago. Your animation has improved so much!

    • @doso4782
      @doso4782 6 років тому +10

      Woah. Hey Wendover. And I suppose I’ll also go and compare the quality now. Ok bye. You're awesome. Bye

    • @joewat3896
      @joewat3896 6 років тому +4

      Please don't give this guy praise Wendover Productions. He plagiarized a huge amount of material from the video from a BBC radio play about this subject. Much of his information was wrong or misleading because he failed to double check it. This video comes off as a huge amount of work when he clearly didn't do any background research or even think through some of the clearly illogical points from the radio show...

    • @ictoan1880
      @ictoan1880 6 років тому +14

      @@joewat3896 would you awfully mind giving alternate sources that prove your point? Saying that a youtuber has plagiarized is no minor accusation.

    • @joewat3896
      @joewat3896 6 років тому +3

      @@ictoan1880 Happy to my guys :D ua-cam.com/video/80rRmLSsEB0/v-deo.html
      You will notice if you listen to the entire play "which is really really good" that a lot of the things he talks about happening come from the radio play as opposed to any actual sources outside of a play. While it "could" be true, it's dishonest and plagiarism to give it as fact. It's been four months so I can't quite remember what set me off here but I wouldn't have gone as far as to criticism him for plagiarism without a good reason. Unfortunately can't re-listen to both atm but I remember it strongly enough to give you the advice to google it and make up your own mind based off of the facts about what he spouting off about in this video. If memory serves right it was that he was retelling things as being fact that only exist as being in the radio play. Don't take my or his word for it though, listen to both before you make a decision.

    • @freeman7079
      @freeman7079 3 роки тому

      Your channel is great!

  • @MichaelDown2
    @MichaelDown2 8 років тому +664

    Dear H.M.S. Vengeance,
    Please feed my cat.
    Michael

    • @NuclearWinter2110
      @NuclearWinter2110 8 років тому +17

      Michael Down alright I guess we will have to...

    • @swigyyswag4284
      @swigyyswag4284 8 років тому +17

      Dear Michael,
      Your cat is dead af.
      GLHF
      -H.M.S Vengeance

    • @TymphaRedbreaduwuowo
      @TymphaRedbreaduwuowo 7 років тому

      yo, that shit aint funny meme creep ...ive killed people for less..

    • @gameinformer4045
      @gameinformer4045 7 років тому +2

      lol but the cat would be dead tho

    • @gameinformer4045
      @gameinformer4045 6 років тому +2

      @Bad Cattitude poor cat living on that sub. That would mean they would've already been feeding it

  • @Felixkeeg
    @Felixkeeg 8 років тому +429

    A written letter on the destruction of millions of souls has something undeniably English to it, don't you think?

    • @TagcastCrew
      @TagcastCrew 8 років тому +41

      teh other option, make sum tea

    • @lewisallan9963
      @lewisallan9963 3 роки тому +14

      In the event of some bloody maniac utilising the weapons at there disposal you are to unleash your weapons upon Argentina.....regardless of the aggressor I cannot accept Argentina surviving much longer than our United Kingdom....and we are taking them with us.
      Good day sir
      -a British person

  • @CatsMeowPaw
    @CatsMeowPaw 5 років тому +114

    Dear HMS Vaguard
    Sail to a remote deserted island and copulate vigorously to start repopulating the planet. If, as I suspect, your entire crew consists of men, break out the brandy and just have a good time.

    • @Nickgowans
      @Nickgowans 5 років тому +17

      They already are, I mean this is the navy we're talking about.

  • @MerchantIvoryfilms
    @MerchantIvoryfilms 5 років тому +148

    Captain Opens letter: 3 pints, 6 fish and chips, eggs and baccy, shepherds pie but hold the peas
    Captain suddenly remembers how shit faced he got with the PM the first night he took offices and never understood why they never got their food that night
    Bugger...

    • @JGenM
      @JGenM 5 років тому +7

      That leaves the question: what happened to the order they gave to the place they called for food?

    • @TheRaptorsClaw
      @TheRaptorsClaw 5 років тому +22

      @@JGenM the local spoons tried their best to nuke France, but all they could muster was a grease fire

    • @m00se37
      @m00se37 5 років тому +4

      Sounds like Boris.

  • @marinthecreator
    @marinthecreator 7 років тому +59

    Dear Current captain of the HMS Vanguard,
    Are you paying too much for your car insurance?

  • @sugandhakohli
    @sugandhakohli 4 роки тому +56

    Captain: *opens and reads the letter*
    First officer: "What does it say, sir?"
    The Letter: "Yo mamma gay"
    Captain: "Nothing, just submarine stuff"

  • @bmused55
    @bmused55 6 років тому +44

    RE the names of the submarines: It's RN tradition to have the names of a class of vessel start with the same letter as the class leader. Not always adhered to, but for the most part it is. Hence why all the Vanguard class subs have names beginning with V. Most of those names have been used in previous naval ships.

  • @22santino17
    @22santino17 8 років тому +275

    Oh boy, I can't wait for the next video in 6 months

  • @kierancalder8573
    @kierancalder8573 8 років тому +163

    you know you've found a gifted channel when theres no promotional stuff or anything, just the actual video.
    love your videos keep up the good work👍

    • @philipellington
      @philipellington 5 років тому +1

      Because nobody wants to sponsor plagiarized content

    • @Yixdy
      @Yixdy 3 роки тому +5

      @@philipellington plagiarism implies literal word for word repetition. Simply having the same idea as someone else isn't plagiarism. It's the 21st century, there are no new ideas

  • @NuclearWinter2110
    @NuclearWinter2110 8 років тому +514

    As a submariner, I can't tell you anything about the topic. Other than that if you want to ask questions I will answer them if I can.

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +64

      Which class of ship do you serve on? The royal navy I presume?

    • @NuclearWinter2110
      @NuclearWinter2110 8 років тому +90

      PierreDolphin RN - V boat

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +61

      Thank you for your service. Don't mind me geeking out....
      1. How long is an average tour?
      2. How often do you do nuclear strike drill?
      3. How to you deal with internet/mail/email/phone service when you're on tour, with the utmost secrecy of your location?
      4. Do you ever dock at allied countries port like other RN ships?
      5. Interesting nuke stories?

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +30

      If someone is to, say take the sub by force, would they be able to launch the nuke, or force the crew to do so? I mean it's not like the american launch code system where the sub literally does not have the mean to arm the weapon.

    • @NuclearWinter2110
      @NuclearWinter2110 8 років тому +152

      PierreDolphin
      1)An average tour on a v-boat patrol is 72 days (3 month tour). A and T boat tours can range a lot but these are broken up with port visits unlike V-Boats which stay at sea.
      2)Nuclear Weapons drills are conducted onboard every month and at arranged times around every month when not at sea in patrol. Shortest intervals between them is 2 weeks (that I've done anyway).
      3)V-boats are effectively silent on patrol - you have no communication with the outside world. A and T boats as attack subs can have comms every week in a data download but this can be suspended at any time.
      4)V-Boats don't dock in other nations port with the exception of Norfolk Naval base and one other naval base in the US (very rarely) when munitions are being switched. A and T boats dock more often in foreign ports but still not that often. These are usually for crew changes or recreational activities to break up the monotony of a tour.
      5)No stories involving nukes and I can't really tell you some of the other stories about operations that ended a bit strangely. :)

  • @Mr_Bunk
    @Mr_Bunk 5 років тому +44

    To the Captain of HMS Vigilant,
    See the letter for HMS Victorious.
    - PM

  • @lucaszollner6298
    @lucaszollner6298 8 років тому +449

    oh man... that's *deep*
    At first it wasn't even supposed to be a pun

    • @omerlord0
      @omerlord0 8 років тому +17

      This pun is worse than a nuclear weapon, therefore I must order a strike on your country.

    • @lucaszollner6298
      @lucaszollner6298 8 років тому +3

      omerlord0 but what if it's also your country?...

    • @Heligoland360
      @Heligoland360 8 років тому +1

      Oni Dude It would still be worth it.

    • @GruntyGame
      @GruntyGame 7 років тому +1

      queue seinfeld theme

    • @patbiss7742
      @patbiss7742 6 років тому +1

      You think your puns are worthy of youtube comments? wait until you sea mine

  • @thebonesaw..4634
    @thebonesaw..4634 8 років тому +100

    First, my credentials: My job in the U.S. Navy was the maintenance of the Trident One on board a United States Naval Submarine. Two things... 1) - The process for our launch was identical. We were independent of government orders (because there will be no government left to give those orders). We listened for similar signs that civilization in the United States still existed. In the event we heard nothing there were a series of steps to be taken in order to make absolutely sure that there was no U.S. still left (Facebook pokes, making fun of the president -- because that's when he's always standing right behind you... that sort of thing). 2) - The Quartermaster's post was literally 5 feet from the Con. Any sailor on board could, pretty much whenever they wanted, walk over to his station, look down at his map, and almost instantly figure out exactly where we were. In the event that it wasn't obvious, we could ask, "Hey, man... where the fuck are we right now?"... and he would tell us.

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns 5 років тому +1

      But you would not know the next leg of your journey, would you? Here today, but where tomorrow?

    • @SnowmanTF2
      @SnowmanTF2 5 років тому +1

      froggymusicman while you make a decent point, there are currently 14 still active as nuclear deterrence since 4 of the original 18 Ohio class were converted to carry cruise missiles

    • @lesslethalmusic
      @lesslethalmusic 5 років тому

      @@SnowmanTF2 plus like all 12 are out at a time with double crewed Boomers

    • @theswaff699
      @theswaff699 5 років тому +1

      @@SnowmanTF2 Virginia Class are attack submarines but they could still also be outfitted with nuclear weapons

    • @crf80fdarkdays
      @crf80fdarkdays 2 роки тому

      @@lesslethalmusic fkn boomers

  • @turtle79070
    @turtle79070 7 років тому +42

    Trident gets word that nukes have wiped everyone out
    They open the safes
    carefully open the letter
    And they read
    "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine"

  • @typograf62
    @typograf62 8 років тому +68

    Another option: Get drunk! Nothing really matters now.

    • @bigglessy
      @bigglessy 8 років тому +30

      I feel like that's the kind of letter Churchill would have written.

    • @djhenyo
      @djhenyo 5 років тому +4

      @@bigglessy According to his most well-known speech, and one of the greatest in history, the fight would be taken to the seas indefinitely should the land be conquered, and the fighting was to continue until the last ship.

    • @theswaff699
      @theswaff699 5 років тому +1

      Opens letter:
      "Pour one out for the lads back then give them hell."

    • @meloniejen8400
      @meloniejen8400 5 років тому

      Literally everything matters "now" that's entire reason they exist

  • @brandonneldo112
    @brandonneldo112 8 років тому +5

    thanks for the quality content man I wish there were more informative channels like this out there, all this stuff is mighty interesting keep it up.

  • @lucaszollner6298
    @lucaszollner6298 8 років тому +100

    time to lean back...type slowly...and watch all the whiny people who didn't get first( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

    • @LainUwU
      @LainUwU 8 років тому +3

      I know right, this is the slowest I've ever typed. And no matter how slow I type, I'll be the second comment

    • @MrMrshawn2000
      @MrMrshawn2000 8 років тому

      lol so true

    • @lucaszollner6298
      @lucaszollner6298 8 років тому

      MrMrshawn2000 hey you didn't come over discord

    • @reaganmaxwell9867
      @reaganmaxwell9867 8 років тому

      Oh, there is a discord server?

    • @lucaszollner6298
      @lucaszollner6298 8 років тому

      Reagan Maxwell yes, public for everyone

  • @johnbell8443
    @johnbell8443 8 років тому +10

    Hey you're one of the few channels I subscribed to early on in your career and it's been very cool to watch your skill improve/evolve over that period. Keep it up!

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +1

      I'll try to..!

    • @mrturtle1128
      @mrturtle1128 5 років тому

      Zepherus we miss you😂😂pls come back

  • @DrewJPS
    @DrewJPS 8 років тому +8

    The UK reminds me of a kid I used to know. Tiny, but with one hell of a fucking punch.

  • @the1onlynoob
    @the1onlynoob 5 років тому +14

    Boris Johnson ‘s letter is just a giant oily smudge and the following:
    “Nuke em, or don’t, I dunno 🤷‍♂️ ‘

  • @TheSigurdsson
    @TheSigurdsson 8 років тому +5

    I live just a few miles away from where these subs were built. I remember going to see HMS Vanguard being launched back in the early 90s.
    Recently I got to see two of the Astute class subs launch too.

  • @larsiparsii
    @larsiparsii 8 років тому +56

    *YES!* So excited to see this pop up!

    • @Tobias11ize
      @Tobias11ize 8 років тому +6

      LARSFSO why would you be excited for a nuclear submarine to pop up?

    • @7H0345
      @7H0345 8 років тому +1

      LARSFSO

    • @larsiparsii
      @larsiparsii 8 років тому +2

      I just now realised how specially interested I am in certain topicss... 😅

  • @Tokahax
    @Tokahax 6 років тому +1

    6 months for this kind of work is not too much time spent. I applaud your research here, and can guarantee I will quote you at work tomorrow to the tune of "...yea, THAT Virginia Woolf." Thanks for truly great content I can sit back and enjoy while craving more.

  • @mateuszdowgiert2198
    @mateuszdowgiert2198 8 років тому +21

    Great video, super well researched. The effort is appreciated

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +2

      Well, thank you!

  • @nickgibson2577
    @nickgibson2577 8 років тому +1

    Yes!!!! Another lovely video, from my favorite UA-cam Channel!! Thanks so much, I love your vids!!

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +1

      Glad you like them.

  • @yognut72
    @yognut72 8 років тому +73

    Damn only 4 months ago Zepherus was celebrating 1000 subs, here's too 100k :D

    • @monkofdarktimes
      @monkofdarktimes 8 років тому

      Ensec I know right

    • @mattthedoormat
      @mattthedoormat 8 років тому

      +Ensec He grew up so fast.

    • @bengarcia9612
      @bengarcia9612 8 років тому

      Im glad that i was around back then makes me feel part of something

    • @kjenk19
      @kjenk19 5 років тому

      And now it’s been a year since his last video :,(

  • @bkuker
    @bkuker 5 років тому +249

    Christ, watched this on the day Boris became PM.

    • @megaporch583
      @megaporch583 5 років тому +39

      Bill Kuker captain opens letter : *yellow posted note falls out* - note appears to be scribbles and not readable
      Submarine captain : “I don’t know what I was expecting”

    • @Zretgul_timerunner
      @Zretgul_timerunner 5 років тому +15

      Oh dear god

    • @jodu626
      @jodu626 5 років тому +25

      Could be worst. Could be corbyn

    • @Zretgul_timerunner
      @Zretgul_timerunner 5 років тому +11

      @@jodu626 How is that worse? Atleast we have an idea about what corbyn whould writw boris is the human equivalency to a jack-in-the box

    • @jodu626
      @jodu626 5 років тому +18

      Daniel Vedberg Sekulic the subs wouldn’t even exist you dumb fuck. He wants to abolish trident. Thanks for playing dumb dumb

  • @ReaverLordTonus
    @ReaverLordTonus 5 років тому +3

    I'm surprised no one has made a movie about this. It would be interesting to show the hypothetical scenario of the sub on patrol losing all contact and having to assume the worst.

  • @humblepi3666
    @humblepi3666 5 років тому +11

    Perhaps the most pertinent thing the politician starts the letter with, is...
    'Sorry boys and girls, us politicians have fvcked up again, so you're on your own now...literally... Yours sincerely, your crappy PM'

  • @russianspy5307
    @russianspy5307 8 років тому +15

    imagine if the crews thought the world had just been destroyed and were ready to kill millions for the loss of their homeland, they open the safe then the other safe and the letter just says "its just a prank bro"

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns 5 років тому +2

      What is to say that if the orders are to surrender, they really will do that? I doubt it, I hope they will retaliate.

    • @zachhoward9099
      @zachhoward9099 2 роки тому +1

      @@57thorns I highly doubt that, at worst it’s left to the Captain of the submarine to determine the next course of action

    • @philfoster8789
      @philfoster8789 9 місяців тому

      On the basis that... If it's wrong for one side to kill millions of innocent people, it's right for the other side to do likewise? (If the answer is, "Yes - if the other side fired first!", what if the war had started by miscalculation?) @@57thorns

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns 9 місяців тому

      @@philfoster8789 The whole idea of mutually assured destruction has nothing to do with what is moral or makes sense in your daily life.
      Even the slightest hint of hesitation and Russia will attack.

    • @philfoster8789
      @philfoster8789 9 місяців тому

      But suppose that threat fails...? Should we then go ahead and kill even more millions? The whole thought sickens me!
      And I repeat: what if a war happens by miscalculation? How can "deterrance" cater for that? (I think the post mentions how close we've come to accidental destruction in the past...) @@57thorns

  • @constantinexi6489
    @constantinexi6489 7 років тому +16

    Holy shit the British sure know how to name their ships

    • @Simonsvids
      @Simonsvids 6 років тому +1

      We have had a lot of experience. Been doing it for quite some time.

    • @lolroflroflcakes
      @lolroflroflcakes 6 років тому

      Nah those names take themselves way too seriously and they just end up seeming silly for it. A good name has to be clever, maybe slightly threatening, but at the same time whimsical.
      There hasn't been a navy yet that has successfully named a ship.

    • @humphrey4976
      @humphrey4976 6 років тому

      lolroflroflcakes ummmmm boaty mc boat face...

    • @graveperil2169
      @graveperil2169 6 років тому

      HMS black joke as a slaver catcher?

    • @arkroyalslegalteam4911
      @arkroyalslegalteam4911 6 років тому

      @TV-94 Not to mention Black Prince (named after Prince Edward, the prince who stomped on the French) and Iron Duke (named after the Duke of Wellington)

  • @paulcarlisle105
    @paulcarlisle105 5 років тому +39

    Dear Captain, please turn Russia's lights out before you walk out the door. It's been a hoot, much love Boris.

  • @orlacrab
    @orlacrab 6 років тому

    Currently going through the explained playlist, I must say it is by far the best UA-cam video I have ever seen, it teaches me stuff (not entirely sure what to do with the new info though) I like your video so much, that although it cost me hundreds of dollars for data cost, still worth every penny of it

  • @lightdot459
    @lightdot459 8 років тому +102

    "Drop one on the krauts for old times sake"

    • @adenkyramud5005
      @adenkyramud5005 5 років тому +3

      Ey, we're friendly now!

    • @adenkyramud5005
      @adenkyramud5005 5 років тому +14

      Can we agree that throwing one at the baguettes is a better idea?

    • @michaelsanchez1361
      @michaelsanchez1361 5 років тому +2

      krauts was term from americans not british

    • @agustinh57
      @agustinh57 5 років тому +3

      @@michaelsanchez1361 _Press X to doubt_

    • @lsswappedcessna
      @lsswappedcessna 5 років тому

      Dear USS Gerald R Ford, after you dump the tea of the British submarine that tried nuking France, help the other two turn Germany into a massive parking lot for Austria and Poland.

  • @wilmantube
    @wilmantube 8 років тому

    The quality of your scripting and story telling ability is unparalleled. So happy to have found you and so happy to see your continued growth!

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому

      Well, thank you.

  • @EMAN00619
    @EMAN00619 8 років тому +20

    Love the vids, keep it up.

  • @user-ui1vb2pb6g
    @user-ui1vb2pb6g 8 років тому

    great to have you back zeph, hope you had a good time over christmas

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому

      Oh, well, thank you. I did have a good time. And you?

    • @user-ui1vb2pb6g
      @user-ui1vb2pb6g 8 років тому

      Nice one good to hear, your welcome and i had a nice time cheers. Great work on the video mate your quality of production is getting better every time. Zepheration for the nation!

  • @jak1259
    @jak1259 8 років тому +49

    great way to start 2017, with a nuclear war video XD

    • @GodzThirdLeg
      @GodzThirdLeg 8 років тому

      Is this supposed to be a "nuclear war is imminent" comment?

    • @niboe1312
      @niboe1312 8 років тому

      Starting in a similar way to a prime minister's reign.

    • @jak1259
      @jak1259 8 років тому

      GodzThirdLeg well it could be if some one was like oops I pushed the nuke button by accident

    • @OppaiAI
      @OppaiAI 8 років тому +10

      Clinton has lost, so the world is save for now.

    • @GodzThirdLeg
      @GodzThirdLeg 8 років тому +3

      jak1259
      Hopefully Netanjahu isn't that crazy, but who knows. Even Kim Jong Un looks more reasonable than Netanjahu at the moment.

  • @sarbe6625
    @sarbe6625 8 років тому +2

    this sounds like an awesome premise for an emotional movie

  • @toaster8907
    @toaster8907 8 років тому +5

    YAAAY UA-cam HISTORY TEACHERS ARE THE BEST KIND OF HISTORY TEACHERS

  • @MrPoogly
    @MrPoogly 8 років тому +13

    Who needs a dead hand system when you can just have a letter of last resort?

    • @lsswappedcessna
      @lsswappedcessna 5 років тому +1

      Yeah, Russia and the USA with their overcomplicated automatic launch systems that could fail when they're needed, and codes long enough to give Kim Peek a headache, just have some dudes in a submarine launch second sunrises at your enemies willy-nilly before having their morning tea.

  • @CaptainX2012
    @CaptainX2012 5 років тому +5

    I assume Radio 4 may be the one of choice as it is broadcast over the ocean, due to it being the provider of the Shipping Forecast

  • @alynoser
    @alynoser 8 років тому

    your videos get better and better every time. keep up the good work

  • @M1911pap
    @M1911pap 8 років тому +3

    Your videos are always interesting and informing, Glad you've blown up, you deserve it man, kinda depressed after binge watching most of your videos. But keep doing subjects you are personally interested in, keeps the videos genuine. Happy New Years :)

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +2

      Glad you like my videos, I'll try and keep up the quality.

    • @M1911pap
      @M1911pap 8 років тому

      Zepherus Don't worry bro, no quality has dropped, I'm just a fan :)

  • @sergeantpanther678
    @sergeantpanther678 5 років тому +7

    *YELLOW SUBMARINE STARTS PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND*

  • @Crosshill
    @Crosshill 5 років тому +3

    i didnt realize that the first job of their prime ministers were to take a stern stance to safeguard the entire country against nuclear massacres and carry the psychological weight of saying that they'd do the same in retaliation, thats pretty hardcore

  • @TomHarper1997
    @TomHarper1997 8 років тому +1

    One of the most interesting topics of the modern era I feel! Great video!!!

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому

      Thanks, glad you like it.

  • @AlaskaSkidood
    @AlaskaSkidood 8 років тому +20

    I've heard of the Trident system, but somehow never knew it was the UK.

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +5

      The trident missiles are us developed (lockheed) for carrying nuclear warheads
      The trident system is not a weapon, but a... hmm... a procedure if you will for the UK to launch nuclear counter attack.

    • @aclockworkapple5851
      @aclockworkapple5851 8 років тому +2

      Alaska Skidood The Trident is a US made missile which is used by both the US and Royal Navies. In the U.K., it's the only ICBM they use, and is synonymous with the broader Nuclear Deterrent (since Trident missiles from submarines are their only system)

    • @patricknakasone9376
      @patricknakasone9376 8 років тому +2

      Trident is also reference to three separate nuclear options. Bombers (Air), ICBM or MRBM(Land), and SLBM(Sea).

    • @Mishn0
      @Mishn0 8 років тому +3

      +Patrick Nakasone That's "Triad", not "Trident". Plus, I don't think that there are any MRBMs any more and if there were, they'd be tactical and not part of the Triad. I think Bush II signed the order that got rid of the last tactical nukes.

    • @rock3tcatU233
      @rock3tcatU233 7 років тому

      It's an American system, but the brits love to take credit for stuff they never created.

  • @joshhill8504
    @joshhill8504 8 років тому

    been subbed for quite some time and your still the best info UA-cam keep up the good work

  • @PikaPetey
    @PikaPetey 8 років тому +11

    poppies I need you to make more Pikachu

  • @jakeownsbey9858
    @jakeownsbey9858 8 років тому

    Your video quality just keeps getting better!

  • @Randomstuffs261
    @Randomstuffs261 8 років тому +5

    Can't wait for your "Titanic, Mystery ship explained" video

  • @poisontaco55
    @poisontaco55 8 років тому

    Thank god you uploaded I love watching your videos. Keep it up

  • @wolfbyte3171
    @wolfbyte3171 8 років тому +4

    The USSR was the one who nearly retaliated against nothing. In 1983, their early warning defense sent two separate alarms- and only the commanding officer at that base decided not to do anything, assuming (correctly) that the computer was malfunctioning.

    • @MeowMeowDeathRay
      @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому +1

      Yup it's funny how they set up "the red phone line" exactly to prevent these sort of things then completely neglected to it before potentially ending humanity.

    • @NuclearWinter2110
      @NuclearWinter2110 8 років тому +1

      PierreDolphin well the conversation would have been like; Russia: Hey did you fire a missile?
      US: Yep
      Russia: oh, retaliate then
      US: Damn it, toodles

  • @billykitahama3514
    @billykitahama3514 7 років тому +1

    One former PM (Callaghan 1976-79) has revealed what he wrote in the letter. He told the captains to retaliate.

  • @PlainlyDifficult
    @PlainlyDifficult 8 років тому +16

    Wicked video man!

  • @mossfoster5317
    @mossfoster5317 8 років тому

    Awesome, I always love you videos and make sure to watch them before anything else.

  • @tryingmybest206
    @tryingmybest206 8 років тому +17

    how is there not a movie about this

    • @legogenius1667
      @legogenius1667 6 років тому +2

      There is; Crimson Tide. It's an amazing movie.
      It's about a USN missile submarine, but close enough. The Trident nuclear missiles were developed in America anyway :P

    • @mbaker335
      @mbaker335 5 років тому

      I was going to say that there is a BBC Radio 4 drama of this situation. However I see it is going to be retransmitted in 6 days time on Saturday morning. Coincidence or what?

  • @job322
    @job322 6 років тому

    its been 2 days since ive found this channel. i cant stop watching this series.

  • @surpriseclipart2185
    @surpriseclipart2185 8 років тому +5

    Brilliant video as always

  • @juliusfucik4011
    @juliusfucik4011 6 років тому

    Good voice. Good research. My type of humor. Oh and a British accent. It does not get much better than this! Liked and subscribed, sir!

  • @AlexNovakim
    @AlexNovakim 8 років тому +20

    Can you do a video on the queen's guard please?

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +25

      I'll add it to my list.

    • @deddese2748
      @deddese2748 8 років тому +3

      Zepherus yess please do that!

  • @ShortsFacts
    @ShortsFacts 8 років тому

    Wow! Maybe your best video yet! Very interesting, and great production.

  • @thebudgieadmiral5140
    @thebudgieadmiral5140 5 років тому +12

    Dear HMS Vanguard:
    In case the worst has come to pass and you one day find yourself in the position to open the _actual, real_ letters of last resort...
    We are sorry.

  • @theindooroutdoorsman
    @theindooroutdoorsman 5 років тому +1

    Here in the US there's always a chance someone in the line of succession will survive. Almost none of our senators and representatives go to work consistently. We pay them almost $200,000 a year to not go to work.

  • @hereLiesThisTroper
    @hereLiesThisTroper 5 років тому +10

    Let it sink in that Prime Minister Boris Johnson now has access to these letters.

    • @worldwar2freak12
      @worldwar2freak12 5 років тому +5

      What does it really matter? The video already pointed out this is a last case scenario, where everyone but the sailors on the Trident subs are dead, so does it really matter what any prime minister orders them to do?

    • @SuperCholdi
      @SuperCholdi 5 років тому

      worldwar2freak12 Seriously. As fucking if anybody is going to authorise a launch.

    • @stalker5299
      @stalker5299 5 років тому

      @@SuperCholdi you'd be surprised, i have no doubt that at least 2 of the sets of letters have had orders to retaliate especially during the cold war

    • @SuperCholdi
      @SuperCholdi 5 років тому +2

      Stalker You Perhaps I didn’t make my point as clear as it could be. I’m sure the letters do demand retaliation, but comments like ‘Boris Johnson has access to these letters’ are wide of the mark.
      First of all he *writes* the letters, and secondly the are the absolute last resort. People seem to be thinking that ‘Buffoon Boris’ has been handed a big red button to play with, which he will use to launch a preemptive strike the moment somebody disagrees with his choice of tie.
      North Korea could wipe Japan off the map, but they haven’t. So if even they are deterred from launching first then the likes of Boris Johnson and Trump can be considered safe hands. They won’t do it.

  • @DaggerStyle
    @DaggerStyle 8 років тому

    YES! I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR YOUR NEXT VIDEO!!

  • @JK_2998
    @JK_2998 8 років тому +3

    What a heartwarming episode xD

  • @Marcus51090
    @Marcus51090 5 років тому +1

    the new Dreadnought class subs are meant to be Significantly more advanced than the vanguard with heavy automation, meaning every crew member has there own bunk area..... day and night lightning to simulate day and night, ultra high speed data access. 6 torpedo tubes etc
    Also the MOD have redundant command all over the world

  • @Crowborn
    @Crowborn 8 років тому +58

    Please increase your voice volume ! Great vídeo, but really hard to understand you at some parts

    • @fohdeesha
      @fohdeesha 8 років тому +8

      Crowborn it's factually quieter than most UA-cam content, the audio in this peaks at -10dbFS or so, when it should be riding close to zero. that's a full 10db of dynamic range he's missing out on. a limiter on the audio solves this, which is available in most modern editors. if you know what you're doing you can opt for a compressor as well, but in my experience most UA-camrs with no previous audio experience usually end up making the audio worse when fiddling with one. slapping on a limiter with enough gain so it peaks around 0db is much easier

    • @silverapples75
      @silverapples75 6 років тому +1

      +Jon Sands regardless can still hear it fine.

  • @meloniejen8400
    @meloniejen8400 5 років тому

    My thirst is quenched and rejuvenated all at once by this channel

  • @Dragonx0562
    @Dragonx0562 5 років тому +13

    The Most Probable Scenario for the Letter would be:
    I, Hereby allow you to Launch Authority, against any belligerent nation, if the attacker can be identified.
    Barring this, you are to attempt contact RN Farslane,
    if not contact possible, Muster with other survivng Vanguard class at following co-ordinates,
    make best possible speed to King's Bay NS, USA for rearming and retasking, under Trident Protocol, along with contingency nations if Kings Bay NS is destroyed or under enemy control.
    God save Britannia,
    Prime Minister, Her Majesty's Government

    • @NovaTrap1312
      @NovaTrap1312 5 років тому +1

      As a german I must say that all that "Her Majesty's" stuff sounds so good. We rly need an equivalent of that for germany, maybe something along the Lines of
      "Teutonic Gods save the Great Kingdom of Prussia
      Prime Minister, His Kaisers Goverment"
      That would sound hella sleek.

    • @travcollier
      @travcollier 5 років тому

      Entirely plausible, and boring...
      As for the briefing/training the PM gets before writing the letters... I wonder if it includes watching Doctor Strangelove ;)
      PS: You know about President Reagan and the TV show "The Day After". Apparently he had no clue what a nuclear war would be like until he saw it, and actually changed a number of his policies and way he approached foreign policy with the USSR.

  • @aliullah4653
    @aliullah4653 8 років тому

    Been waiting sooooo long for this, thanks

  • @tomsimcox5066
    @tomsimcox5066 7 років тому +31

    8:56 Take note Mr. Corbyn...

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  7 років тому +10

      I did have a paragraph or two in the original draft of the script addressing the at-the time-current political climate, but took it out because I couldn't quite stay neutral and it would just mean loads more hassle in the comments section.

  • @orangelion03
    @orangelion03 6 років тому +1

    Thank you for this. The Trident missiles are built by the US by Lockheed-Martin, but the warheads are British built designs ("inspired" by US designs). The Wiki page on the UK Trident program is most illuminating.

  • @serjunkan9016
    @serjunkan9016 7 років тому +4

    as an Icelandic person having a fully armed nuclear submarine is quite interesting
    does it work for fishing?

    • @graveperil2169
      @graveperil2169 6 років тому +1

      they have a history of catching fishing boats

  • @justsayapple1381
    @justsayapple1381 6 років тому +1

    This would make for a really good movie. The people on the sub realize that communications are down, and they cant tell whether an attack was actually launched or not. Eventually they discover that one was launched, and they open the letter, only to find that it tells them to surrender. They argue about whether they should or shouldn’t, crazy stuff happens, I dunno, I’m not a writer

  • @themcx8312
    @themcx8312 8 років тому +6

    😭 man i knew you d be big been sence 300 subs

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +3

      I know, I remember.

    • @themcx8312
      @themcx8312 8 років тому +1

      apperciate that man respect

  • @Trek001
    @Trek001 6 років тому +2

    The radio 4 thing is true - some time ago, the transmitter was switched off due to a fire and evacuation - the submarine surfaced at the set time, heard nothing, waited a little longer, listened again and, on hearing nothing, went down below to launch depth. According to myth, Vanguard had actually spun one up before they picked up an emergency signal from the MoD saying it was a false alarm
    Also, Vice captain? I think you will find its Executive Officer or First Lieutenant

  • @Sir_Budginton
    @Sir_Budginton 7 років тому +3

    If I were the PM I'd say:
    Stand down, sail to a friendly port, probably in Australia or New Zealand.
    Canada is likely fucked because it's next door to America, also it's fucking cold and I wouldn't be able to live with myself (even though I'm dead) if I made you live in the frozen north, and nuclear winter won't make it any warmer.
    Go to our good friends down south and go live with them. Give NZ the nukes it needs and make it the nuclear superpower it deserves to be.
    P.S. say hi to Bill for me.

  • @ShubhamBhushanCC
    @ShubhamBhushanCC 7 років тому

    Things like these really really give you deep unsettling feeling somewhere near the end of the spine.

  • @khorps4756
    @khorps4756 8 років тому +31

    Great work but . Good video btw

    • @alexolas1246
      @alexolas1246 8 років тому +4

      Actually the original comment was:
      Great video, but [ insert video-destroying argument/evidence ]. Great work btw.
      (Source: I checked)

    • @khorps4756
      @khorps4756 8 років тому

      la .alEksolas. Shit.

  • @ultramarinus2478
    @ultramarinus2478 7 років тому +1

    Witouth relation to the retaliation strike (but supposedly AFTER):
    I can see this sub being ordered to scout and try to help survive and restore civilization for the rest of civilian population of Britain. Something akin to the tv series "The last ship" And after that, serve as a connection between UK and alied countries...

  • @Luchoedge
    @Luchoedge 8 років тому +3

    >Zooms out from near Malvinas Islands when talking about the submarine's position
    > FFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +3

      Let's just say the fact the camera zoomed out from off the coast of the Falkland Islands wasn't a coincidence.

    • @Luchoedge
      @Luchoedge 8 років тому

      > Implying Argentina is a menace to anyone ever but ourselves and hence you need nuclear deterrents against us
      Really?

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +2

      Lucho-Core No, I just thought it was a funny in-joke for those who noticed, that the UK would considered that a place to defend. I'm not sure why every tiny thing people take as a declaration of war, especially the Americans.

    • @Luchoedge
      @Luchoedge 8 років тому

      Oh, okay then.

    • @enoughrope1638
      @enoughrope1638 8 років тому

      Americans take everything as a declaration of war? Any basis to back that up or. . .?

  • @Т1000-м1и
    @Т1000-м1и Рік тому +1

    I remember watching this half a year ago

  • @doctoroesperanto3663
    @doctoroesperanto3663 8 років тому +8

    Amazing video!
    Were you inspired by vsauce or something? I get the same vibes as watching the videos from that channel!

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +9

      More CGP Grey than VSauce, but I love both.

    • @doctoroesperanto3663
      @doctoroesperanto3663 8 років тому +2

      Zepherus I really need to start to learn how to edit videos and what program to use for that. I am studying to become a teacher and I am inspired by Grey and your Channel to make videos too!
      Best of luck with your channel, happy 2017 too

  • @aguynotcalledbob1
    @aguynotcalledbob1 8 років тому

    Glad to see another video from you! Can't wait till you reach 100,000 subs :)

  • @KerbalRocketry
    @KerbalRocketry 7 років тому +125

    6th option: Cathago delenda est! (Nuke Tunisia)

    • @maarten9272
      @maarten9272 6 років тому +17

      Kerbal Rocketry Shut up Cato

    • @nerfinator03
      @nerfinator03 6 років тому +1

      You missed an r

    • @jackarmstrong8790
      @jackarmstrong8790 6 років тому +8

      Saimons when in doubt, nuke tunisia

    • @eldorados_lost_searcher
      @eldorados_lost_searcher 6 років тому +15

      Techwise Jor
      It's a reference to Cato's call for the destruction of Carthage between the Punic Wars. He'd end every speech with that phrase.

    • @Arterexius
      @Arterexius 6 років тому +7

      Oh, haven't seen that one. My apologies. And thanks for letting me know :)

  • @studiosraufncingr6965
    @studiosraufncingr6965 3 роки тому +1

    Captain: opens and reads the letter
    First officer: "What does it say, sir?"
    The Letter: "Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down..."
    Captain: "...."

  • @godatlas
    @godatlas 8 років тому +4

    Knew you were going to grow a shit load, lmfao. Great video though, and you deserve all of them subs, it was hard to believe you only had 4k subs back then with the quality of your videos.

    • @Zepherus
      @Zepherus  8 років тому +3

      Well, glad you like them. I'm not going to stop trying to make my videos better though, for instance I totally switched editing software for this video for the first time ever so I can make them even better, but I don't think anyone's noticed.

    • @godatlas
      @godatlas 8 років тому

      I didn't notice personally. It's amazing how you still reply to most comments even though you've grown so much, gotta appreciate that.

    • @MrFrostburner
      @MrFrostburner 8 років тому +1

      I don't think anyone would notice you changing editing software. You have fairly simple cuts and animations in your videos. If you want them to notice something would have to change about your entire style, which I think would be a bad idea.

  • @TomHarper1997
    @TomHarper1997 8 років тому

    I seem to remember despite the orders of the letters of last resort it is in the end up to the captain's discretion in all cases and the PM can only suggest action or what they feel should be done?

  • @SAKOSNIPER
    @SAKOSNIPER 8 років тому +4

    the new UK subs are called the Astute Class, named after the flag ship. HMS Dreadnought is sister submarine to HMS dreadnought. there is no Dreadnought class Sub!!

    • @Benjd0
      @Benjd0 8 років тому +2

      The Astute class are attack submarines, they don't carry nuclear weapons like the Vanguard class.
      The Dreadnought class are the replacement for the Vanguard class, they've only recently been announced and won't come into service until around 2028.

    • @oldgreggscreamybaileys6618
      @oldgreggscreamybaileys6618 6 років тому

      jack sixsmith yeah what that guy said. They’re big and new and will go pew pew pew.

  • @heyitsalex99
    @heyitsalex99 8 років тому

    woop woop, here since 10k, keep it going m80

  • @TheMadmanAndre
    @TheMadmanAndre 5 років тому +10

    Hahahha.
    Boris Johnson is dictating MAD policy.
    Oh lawd jesus.

    • @oldgreggscreamybaileys6618
      @oldgreggscreamybaileys6618 5 років тому

      TheMadmanAndre MAD has nothing to do with a preemptive strike, So what difference does it make who’s in charge. It’s basically don’t nuke us because we will retaliate in kind. Nukes actually keep the world safe, well the major powers at least. Why start a war if you already know the outcome beforehand.

  • @CobusAlberts
    @CobusAlberts 8 років тому

    Good job dude, love your videos