On this episode of Our American Stories after RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on April two young men spent the next minutes sending frantic distress calls across the North Atlantic to anyone who could hear them Their names were Jack Phillips and Harold Bride They kept working as the ship took on water using one of the most advanced communication systems of its time to reach nearby vessels and call for help before the sinking became inevitable After all the fate of more than people rested in their fingers William Hazelgrove author of One Hundred and Sixty Minutes The Race [... more]

Appleton Oaksmith's life was marked by controversy and transformation. Born into a life of privilege, he became embroiled in the slave trade, outfitting ships for the slave trade and even working as a Confederate blockade runner. However, he later underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a pro-black civil rights politician in North Carolina. His story is a complex and intriguing one, full of twists and turns that span the entirety of the Civil War era. [... more]

Paul's journey to Rome was filled with hardships, but God turned every detour into an opportunity for revival and the furtherance of the gospel. Despite the devil's attempts to stop him, Paul remained steadfast in his faith, trusting in God's promises and ultimately reaching the city of Rome to preach the kingdom of God. [... more]

Paul and his companions are shipwrecked on the island of Malta, where they are welcomed by the native people and Paul heals the father of Publius, a chief man on the island. They spend three months in Malta, where Paul performs miracles and builds relationships with the people. Eventually, they set sail for Rome, where they are greeted by believers who have heard about them and are eager to meet Paul. Paul is placed in open custody, where he is lightly chained to a Roman guard and continues to share the gospel with those around him. [... more]

Paul's ship is battered by a raging storm, but he remains confident in God's promise to save the lives of those on board. As the ship runs aground on a hidden reef, the crew must abandon ship, but with the help of a centurion who has been influenced by Paul's faith, they are all brought safely to land. [... more]

Paul's journey to Rome is marked by a perilous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, where he and his companions face treacherous storms, shipwrecks, and loss of hope. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul's faith remains steadfast, and he finds solace in the promise of God's sovereignty and care for him. [... more]

The Edmund Fitzgerald, a 729-foot freighter, sank on Lake Superior in 1975, killing all 29 crew members. The ship's tragic fate has become a legendary story, immortalized in a song by Gordon Lightfoot. Rick Mixter, a shipwreck researcher, recounts the events leading up to the disaster and the subsequent investigation, shedding light on the mysteries surrounding the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. [... more]

The Birkenhead disaster of 1852 was a tragic event in which a British troop ship sank off the coast of South Africa, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. Despite the chaos and panic, the soldiers on board showed remarkable discipline and self-sacrifice, following the protocol of 'women and children first' as they loaded the lifeboats. This extraordinary story of bravery and sacrifice has become a model for military discipline and has been immortalized in poetry and history. [... more]

Samuel Bellamy, also known as Black Sam, was a pirate who operated off the coast of New England and throughout the Caribbean. He became one of the wealthiest pirates in recorded history, known for his generosity and odd sympathy to those he captured. Bellamy's life began in service, born in Devon, England, in 1689, and he initially sailed for the British Royal Navy. He later turned to piracy and joined the crew of Benjamin Hornegold and his second-in-command, Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard. Bellamy quickly captured other ships and in spring of 1717, he captured his prize, the Woota Galley, when sailing through the Windward Passage. The Wooda was originally a slave ship built in England two years prior and was 300 tons and 102 feet long, with 18 guns and could reach speeds of 15 miles an hour. [... more]

The story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a 729-foot freighter that sank on Lake Superior in 1975, killing all 29 crew members. The ship's tragic fate was immortalized in a song by Gordon Lightfoot, but the real story is one of human error, bad weather, and the bravery of the sailors who tried to rescue the crew. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl breaks down the story of Paul's near-death expedition on the Mediterranean Sea, identifying four timeless principles for navigating life's storms. He emphasizes the importance of stability, unity, renewal, and reality in times of turmoil, drawing from the biblical account of Acts 27. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl recounts the Apostle Paul's harrowing moment in Acts chapter 27, where he stood firm in the face of a violent storm. Paul's four anchors for surviving storms are revealed, including the anchor of stability, which is rooted in God's promises and trustworthiness. These anchors provide hope and encouragement for those facing life's challenges and uncertainties. [... more]

Apostle Paul recounts his terrifying storm experience while sailing to Rome, where he and 275 others were shipwrecked. Luke's account in Acts 27 provides four timeless anchors for survival, and Chuck Swindahl helps us understand the application for our times, highlighting the importance of faith and God's grace in the face of adversity. [... more]

Appleton Oakesmith, a man born into privilege, took to the sea and led the U.S. on a wild goose chase that became a political crisis in 1864. He was involved in the slave trade, worked as a Confederate blockade runner, and was eventually pardoned by Ulysses S. Grant. Oakesmith's life took a remarkable turn when he became a pro-black civil rights politician in North Carolina, advocating for black political rights and civil rights in the state legislature. [... more]

Abraham Lincoln's decision to refuse a pardon for Nathaniel Gordon, a slave trader, highlights the complexities of morality and humanity during the Civil War. Gordon's story raises questions about the value of human life and the dignity of people, particularly those who were enslaved. [... more]

Paul's experience in a storm and shipwreck serves as a lesson in faith, demonstrating how to find refuge in God's word and overcome challenges with courage and service, while being aware of the enemy's attempts to strike at the point of belief. [... more]

The importance of maintaining a close relationship with Christ and being mindful of spiritual neglect and carelessness, which can lead to a backslidden condition and affect one's witness and testimony. [... more]

Derelicts of once radiant believers now waste away, useless and without purpose, having deliberately and willfully departed from the truth. The Word of God is the chart to guide believers through life's storms, and neglecting it can lead to shipwreck. Head-on collisions with others, whether in the church or at home, can also cause believers to sink, stealing away their joy and peace. [... more]

Samuel Bellamy, known as Black Sam, was a pirate who operated off the coast of New England and the Caribbean, becoming one of the wealthiest pirates in recorded history. His story begins at the end, with the discovery of the Wooda shipwreck in 1984, which held the largest pirate prize with treasure weighing about five tons. Bellamy's life began in service, born in Devon, England in 1689, and he initially sailed for the British Royal Navy before turning to piracy and joining the crew of Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard. [... more]

The 1913 storm was one of the worst on the Great Lakes, resulting in 12 ships sunk and over 250 sailors lost. The storm's legacy continues to be felt, with many questions still unanswered about the tragedy. [... more]