Star of Bengal Bonus:
The James Kennedy Tapes (NEW!)
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James Kennedy was the Chief Engineer aboard the steamship Kayak the night the Star of Bengal was lost forever. Today, you'll hear the story in James Kennedy's own words. Thanks to his grandson, Bob Kennedy, we'll play a tape recording of him from 1947. And thanks to his great-great-grandson John Schenk, we'll hear his testimony read aloud from 1908. Taken together, it's one man's story of a harrowing, deadly night.
NOVEMBER 2023: I was honored to give this live Zoom presentation about the Star of Bengal at the 2023 annual meeting of the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation (46m).
Part I: A Star is Born
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There are many stories about the Star of Bengal. In our first episode, we introduce you to some of its best-known legends. We’ll take you back to 1874 when Irish shipbuilders Harland & Wolff launched the Star of Bengal, through its decades at sea, up to Alaska. (Published on September 2, 2022)
Part II: Farewell
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It’s the summer of 1908, and the Star of Bengal bids farewell to San Francisco. After a long, hard season of fishing and canning salmon, the 138 men throw a farewell party before sailing home. But a dark fate lays ahead. (Published on September 9, 2022)
Part III: Survival
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The only hope of rescue for the Star of Bengal lies with the two steamships Hattie Gage and Kayak, but both of them are in a race for their lives. We’ll use eyewitness statements to reconstruct the ship’s final moments, and the accusations of cowardice against the steamship captains. (Published on September 16, 2022)
Part IV: Accusations
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The steamship captains are once again in a fight for their lives, this time to clear their names. The investigation into the wreck of the Star of Bengal takes unexpected twists and turns, as a Wrangell witness drops a bombshell. We deconstruct the chief inspector’s report, and show what he got wrong. (Published on September 23, 2022)
Part V: The Captain’s Daughter
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It’s the the Roaring 20s. This is the true story of Joan Lowell, a beautiful young woman with a story to tell — including one about her father’s shipwreck, the Star of Bengal. For Joan is a tale of Hollywood, Broadway, a best-selling book, and the invention of a great American hoax. (Published on September 30, 2022)