About this episode
Ep46: Richard Jones - Naval Engineer and AuthorToday 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 TakeawaysHistory 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-joneshttps://bsky.app/profile/wreckmasterjay.bsky.socialhttps://disasters-shipwrecks.blogspot.com?? YouTube Chapters (01:08:27)00:00 – Welcome Aboard Deck TalesSetting the scene: life at sea, disasters, and forgotten stories04:12 – From Navy Engineer to Shipwreck HistorianHow Richard Jones balances classified work with disaster research09:35 – Why Most Tragedies Are ForgottenMedia bias, death tolls, and how history chooses what survives15:48 – Shipwreck Myths vs RealitySeparating fact from fiction in maritime disasters21:32 – The Human Cost of Disaster ResearchThe unseen emotional toll of studying real loss28:10 – When Research Brings Families ClosureMemorials, survivors, and why remembrance matters35:04 – Titanic, Titan & Repeating MistakesWhy maritime disasters keep happening — again and again41:22 – The Survivors Who Defied the OddsRafts, wartime sinkings, and impossible survival stories48:05 – The Worst Captains in HistoryEgo, negligence, and decisions that doomed thousands54:18 – The Biggest Shipwreck Conspiracies DebunkedThe Titanic switch theory and other myths destroyed01:01:10 – Beyond Titanic: Why These Stories MatterLegacy, memory
