History's A Disaster
Bloody history and bloodier crimes. Andrew takes a weekly look at all things bloody. From natural disasters to man made atrocities
Episodes
America's deadliest mining disaster unfolded in an instant on December 6, 1907, when a broken coupling pin sent coal carts careening down rails, showering sparks through dusty mine air. What happened next would change mining safety forever.
The Monongah Mining Disaster tells the harrowing story of miners trapped beneath West Virginia soil when explosions ripped through connected mines #6 and #8. With ent...
Few mountains inspire both awe and dread quite like K2. Standing in the shadow of Everest's fame yet claiming a far deadlier reputation, the world's second-highest peak demands respect—one climber dies for every four who summit. During a fateful expedition in August 2008, that grim statistic would manifest in the mountain's deadliest single incident.
After weeks of waiting for weather to clear,...
A semi-truck ignores flashing warning lights. An Amtrak train barrels forward at 79 miles per hour. Eleven lives are lost in the devastating collision that follows. The 1999 Bourbonnais Amtrak disaster stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold when safety protocols fail.
The catastrophe began with truck driver John Stokes, who after a long day hauling steel, approached a railroad crossin...
Nobody expects to drown in beer. Yet on October 17, 1814, that's exactly what happened to eight Londoners when a massive vat at Horseshoe Brewery catastrophically failed, unleashing a 15-foot tsunami of porter beer through the impoverished streets of St Giles.
The disaster began with something seemingly insignificant—a fallen iron hoop on a towering 22-foot wooden vat containing over 300,000 gallons of f...
On August 14th, 2018, the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy collapsed, resulting in the death of 43 people and causing significant destruction. Designed by Ricardo Morandi and opened in 1967, the bridge was a symbol of Italian engineering. However, on a rainy morning, pylon number nine disintegrated, and an 800-foot section of the bridge fell, crushing cars and buildings below. Rescue efforts began immediately, but many ...
On April 16th, 1947, the SS Grandcamp, loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate, caught fire and exploded in Texas City, causing the deadliest industrial accident in US history and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever. The explosion, fueled by ammonium nitrate and subsequent fires, destroyed much of Texas City's port, killing over 500 people and injuring thousands. The disaster led to significant chan...
On the morning of December 6th, 1917, the SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with nearly 3000 metric tons of explosives destined for France, collided with the SS Imo in the Halifax Harbor narrows, resulting in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. This catastrophic event claimed nearly 2000 lives, injured 9000 others, and decimated a large section of Halifax. This episode of 'History's a Disaster,' h...
On January 12th, 1888, a sudden blizzard struck the Midwest, causing over 230 deaths, most of them children, due to the lack of warning and severe weather conditions. This episode, hosted by Andrew, delves into the horrors of the Schoolhouse Blizzard, describing the rapid and deadly onset of the storm, and detailing the harrowing survival stories and tragic losses of those caught in its path. The episode highlights th...
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton embarked on the ship Endurance to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent overland with his 27-member crew. The journey quickly turned into one of the greatest survival stories in history when the Endurance became trapped in pack ice. Shackleton’s leadership kept the crew's morale up through harsh Antarctic conditions, ingenious survival efforts, and eventual rescue after a gr...
On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 suffered a catastrophic engine failure resulting in the loss of hydraulic controls, leading to a dramatic emergency landing. Despite the crisis, the quick thinking and skillful actions of Captain Al Haynes, First Officer Bill Records, and DC-10 instructor Denny Fitch saved 185 lives from what could have been a total disaster. The subsequent investigation unveiled a rar...
In this episode of History's a Disaster, host Andrew takes us through the tragic and mysterious sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior during a massive thunderstorm on November 10th, 1975. The episode details the ship's origins, its successful career, and the fateful final voyage alongside the Arthur M. Anderson. Theories surrounding the ship's disappearance are explored, including potenti...
In this episode of 'History's A Disaster,' hosted by Andrew, we delve into the tragic events of the 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche in California. Leading up to March 31st, unprecedented snowfall and high winds triggered a massive avalanche at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, destroying buildings and rendering eight people missing. Despite rigorous avalanche control measures led by experts like Jim Plehn and No...
This episode discusses the tragic volcanic eruption of Whakaari Island on December 9, 2019. Host Andrew explores the sequence of events that led to the eruption during a guided tour, which resulted in 22 deaths and numerous injuries. The episode delves into the heroic efforts of survivors and rescuers, the aftermath of the disaster, and the legal consequences faced by the tour operators. It ends with an update on the ...
The Tragic Murder of Christopher Meyer
In this episode, Andrew delves into the harrowing 1995 case of 10-year-old Christopher Meyer, who disappeared while fishing in Aroma Park, Illinois. The investigation quickly led to the arrest of convicted child killer Timothy Buss, a man with a disturbingly violent past. The episode provides a detailed timeline of events, from Christopher's disappearance and the su...
In this episode of 'History's a Disaster,' Andrew delves into the tragic events of the 1955 24 Hours of LeMans racing event in France, where a catastrophic accident led to the deaths of 84 people, making it the worst disaster in motorsport history. The episode recounts the sequence of events, starting from the race's inception, highlighting the poor track design, lack of safety measures, and a...
The Great Influenza Epidemic: Misnamed, Deadly, and Unforgettable
This episode of History's a Disaster, hosted by Andrew, explores the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918, often misnamed as the Spanish Flu. The virus, caused by the H1N1 strain, spread in three waves during and after World War I, resulting in the deadliest pandemic in recorded history. Despite heavy censorship due to wartime, the flu's ...
On February 22, 1978, a Louisville and Nashville train derailed in Waverly, Tennessee, causing a catastrophic propane explosion during cleanup efforts. The incident resulted in 16 deaths, over 200 injuries, and widespread destruction. This episode delves into the details of the derailment, the ensuing explosion, and the emergency response led by Dr. Subhi Ali. It also explores the broader impacts, such as changes...
The 1956 Grand Canyon Mid-Air Collision: Tragic Prelude to Aviation Reform
On June 30, 1956, two passenger planes collided over the Grand Canyon, resulting in no survivors and a devastating disaster that spurred significant changes in aviation safety regulations. This episode of 'History's A Disaster' with Andrew examines the circumstances leading to the collision between TWA Flight 2 and Unite...
The Tragic Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903
On December 30th, 1903, a fire broke out during a packed matinee performance at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, leading to the deadliest single-building fire in American history, with over 600 casualties. Claimed to be 'nearly fireproof,' the theater's inadequate safety measures and locked exits contributed to the high death toll. The disaster prompted natio...
In the concluding episode of the series on the Light Brigade, host Andrew dives into the aftermath of the infamous charge during the Crimean War. The episode covers the hardships the brigade faced, including severe winter conditions and lack of supplies, leading to the decimation of their horses and suffering among the men. Lords Raglan, Lucan, and Cardigan are embroiled in a blame game, while back in England, Cardiga...
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