In May, 1915 a German U-boat came across the RMS Lusitania, a luxury passenger ship, about 11 miles off the coast of Ireland making its way to Liverpool. Despite it being a non-military vessel, the U-boat fired a torpedo that sank the ship within 18 minutes.

Calamity! Podcast

S2 E19: RMS Lusitania

Not only was Seawise Giant the largest ship to ever sink, but it was the largest ship ever built! So why isn't it as famous as Titanic? Well, this was a crude oil tanker with a crew of only 50. Plus, this mammoth vessel ended up having a surprising Second Act after the sinking - and a decidedly more "happy" one.

S2 E18: Seawise (Happy) Giant: The Largest Ship to Ever Sink

An express passenger train leaving Spokane and bound for Seattle ended up stranded on Stevens Pass when freak weather conditions caused a series of avalanches in late February, 1910. Then, after spending nearly a week parked by the small town of Wellington, a large slab avalanche swept the train 150 feet off the track, killing 96 people - the most deadly avalanche in American history.

S2 E17: The 1910 Stevens Pass Avalanche

In April 1995, a plot to bomb a federal building in Oklahoma City became the largest and most deadly domestic act of terrorism in the US. The explosion was far larger than the perpetrators intended, resulting in 168 deaths.

S2 E16: Oklahoma City Bombing

On an otherwise quiet morning in May 1983, an enormous explosion rocked the small town of Benton, Tennessee. The ensuing investigation revealed Webb's Bait Farm was just a front for a lucrative, highly unlawful firework manufacturing business.

S2 E15: Benton Fireworks Disaster

Jaima hosts her first episode and gives us an adrenaline rush while discussing the harrowing tale of British Airways Flight 5390. Just a few minutes after take-off, a slight cabin pressure change ejected a window in the cockpit.

S2 E14: British Airways Flight 5390

A sand storm in Libya thwarted the efforts of a U.S. aircraft crew trying to return to its military base after a bombing mission during World War 2.

S2 E13: The Disappearance of Lady Be Good

This episode explores how a freak snow storm in Iran quickly became the deadliest blizzard in recorded history.

S2 E12: The 1972 Iran Blizzard

Calamity! is a podcast dedicated to disasters. In each episode, we learn about a calamitous event from around the globe. Amid the sobering facts, we find reason to celebrate the human spirit, and take a fascinating tour of science and history. The hosts of Calamity! are a trio of witty and feisty sisters. Want to submit an episode idea? Connect with us at calamitypodcast@yahoo.com!

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Calamity! Podcast

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