The Captain's Table

A stylized image of an ocean liner with a crushed bow.

Infamous “Ship of Death” MV Astoria Set for Auction

June 9, 2025 Zach W. 0

A legendary ship’s long and infamous career may finally be coming to an end. Just over a week ago, news broke that MV Astoria is […]

A picture of a book cover with a colorful, rainbow ship with text reading "Titanic: The Untold Tale of Gay Passengers and Crew."

Book Review: Titanic: The Untold Tale of Gay Passengers and Crew by Jack Fritscher

June 5, 2025 Zach W. 0

Last year, when I was working on my “Ship of Secrets” blog post, I stumbled across a book called Titanic: The Untold Tale of Gay […]

An image of a four funnel ocean liner superimposed against a rainbow

Hidden in the Wake: The Lusitania’s LGBTQ+ History

June 2, 2025 Zach W. 1

Last year for Pride Month, I wrote a post about the LGBTQ+ history of RMS Titanic. This year I wanted to focus on RMS Lusitania […]

The pool deck of a cruise ship. There is a sign that reads "Margaritaville at Sea Paradise."

Lovely Cruise: Sailing on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

May 29, 2025 Zach W. 0

Last month, my wife and I set sail aboard one of the most talked-about cruise ships currently operating: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Famously known as […]

A sepia photograph of a ship with two funnels.

Silent Night, Deadly Night: The Sinking of SS Léopoldville

May 26, 2025 Zach W. 0

On Christmas Eve 1944, the Battle of the Bulge raged in the Ardennes Forest. Adolf Hitler’s war machine launched its last major offensive on December […]

A photo of a book covers that reads "The Sailing of the Intrepid: The Incredible Wartime Voyage of the Navy's Iconic Aircraft Carrier." There is a picture of an aircraft carrier on the front.

Book Review: The Sailing of the Intrepid by Montel Williams and David Fisher

May 22, 2025 Zach W. 0

Moored at Pier 86 in New York City—where some of the greatest ocean liners in history have docked—sits a ship with a storied past. The […]

A picture of a white-hulled cruise ship with blue artwork. The name "Diamond Princess" is seen on the side.

Beloved Captain Michele Bartolomei Dies Suddenly Aboard Diamond Princess

May 19, 2025 Zach W. 0

Captain Michele Bartolomei, a beloved and respected cruise ship captain commanding Diamond Princess, suddenly passed away in the early morning of May 19, 2025. The […]

A book cover that shows a sailing ship with red sails around ice, and text reading "Into the Ice."

Book Review: Into the Ice by Mark Synnott

May 19, 2025 Zach W. 0

On May 19, 1845, two Royal Navy ships—HMS Erebus and HMS Terror—left Greenhithe, England under the command of veteran explorer Sir John Franklin. He and […]

A side view of a white-hulled sailing ship flying a giant Mexican flag.

Tall Ship Cuauhtémoc Hits the Brooklyn Bridge

May 18, 2025 Zach W. 0

Last night, May 17, 2025, tragedy struck when the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc hit New York’s Brooklyn Bridge just before 8:30 pm. Onlookers captured […]

A book cover that says "Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II's Most Daring Heist." There is a picture of a submarine sinking another ship.

Book Review: Phantom Fleet by Alexander Rose

May 17, 2025 Zach W. 0

Deep inside the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois is something rather unexpected: a World War II German U-boat. Thousands of people […]