Ep46: Richard Jones - Naval Engineer and Author
Today I'm speaking with Richard Jones — Royal Navy weapons engineer by day and one of Britain’s most prolific shipwreck and disaster historians by night. Richard shares how a lifelong fascination with maritime disasters turned into nearly three decades of research, 27+ published books, and multiple memorial campaigns honouring forgotten tragedies.
The conversation dives into shipwrecks, air disasters, historical myths, and the emotional weight of researching real loss. Richard explains why he focuses on overlooked stories, how social media transformed historical research, and why he believes history belongs to everyone — not locked away in private archives. From Costa Concordia to lost wartime ships, this episode explores the thin line between human error, hubris, and remembrance.
Key Takeaways
History isn’t owned — it’s shared. Richard’s mission is to preserve forgotten disasters before their stories disappear forever.
Research is part detective work. Separating myth from fact often takes years of interviews, archives, and firsthand accounts.
Modern tech changed everything. Social media now connects historians directly with survivors, families, and rare evidence.
Memorials matter. For families, plaques and books can provide long-overdue closure and public recognition.
Human error repeats itself. From Titanic to Titan, lessons at sea are often ignored — with tragic results.
Respect over sensationalism. Some truths don’t need to be published to honor the people involved.
https://shipwreckdata.wixsite.com/richard-m-jones
https://bsky.app/profile/wreckmasterjay.bsky.social
https://disasters-shipwrecks.blogspot.com
⏱️ YouTube Chapters (01:08:27)
00:00 – Welcome Aboard Deck Tales
Setting the scene: life at sea, disasters, and forgotten stories
04:12 – From Navy Engineer to Shipwreck Historian
How Richard Jones balances classified work with disaster research
09:35 – Why Most Tragedies Are Forgotten
Media bias, death tolls, and how history chooses what survives
15:48 – Shipwreck Myths vs Reality
Separating fact from fiction in maritime disasters
21:32 – The Human Cost of Disaster Research
The unseen emotional toll of studying real loss
28:10 – When Research Brings Families Closure
Memorials, survivors, and why remembrance matters
35:04 – Titanic, Titan & Repeating Mistakes
Why maritime disasters keep happening — again and again
41:22 – The Survivors Who Defied the Odds
Rafts, wartime sinkings, and impossible survival stories
48:05 – The Worst Captains in History
Ego, negligence, and decisions that doomed thousands
54:18 – The Biggest Shipwreck Conspiracies Debunked
The Titanic switch theory and other myths destroyed
01:01:10 – Beyond Titanic: Why These Stories Matter
Legacy, memory, and preserving history before it’s lost
#piratelegend #seadogs #piracy #shipstories
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And if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244
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