Where Do Ships Go When They Die?
Dr. Nathan Richards, professor at East Carolina University, joins the Fascinated by Shipwrecks podcast to explore the overlooked world of abandoned ships and the diverse paths students can take when learning about maritime archaeology.
From his early inspiration at a ships' graveyard in Australia to directing a leading graduate program in the U.S., Richards reveals how shipwrecks, whether catastrophic or discarded, hold stories of innovation, economy, and environment. He shares insights into underwater fieldwork, cutting-edge tools, and why ships are sometimes sunk on purpose.
- Did you know there is such a thing as a ship graveyard?
- Learn about the WWI ship graveyard at Mallows Bay in Maryland.
- Discover how maritime archaeology students are helping document the wrecks.
- Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@FascinatedbyShipwrecks
"Some of the largest ship graveyards in the world are just vessels stacked together. I've looked at them in Australia, in Bermuda, abandoned vessels in Costa Rica, across the United States. They really are everywhere.” - Dr. Nathan Richards
© 2025 – Fascinated by Shipwrecks
Nathan Richards
Maritime Archaeologist, Director of Maritime Studies Program in Maritime Studies, Department of History East Carolina
Dr. Nathan Richards specializes in maritime archaeological theory and method with a focus on cultural site formation processes of the archaeological record. He has an interest in 19th and 20th century maritime history, the history of technology, and in comparative and anthropological approaches to maritime archaeological subjects. He has been involved in field schools run by Departments of Archaeology at Flinders University and James Cook University, and has been employed in cultural heritage management work by the State Governments of South Australia and Tasmania. He is also the author of several journal articles, book chapters, and numerous reports and reviews and his research has appeared in several industry publications, such as the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. Dr. Richards assumed the role of Director of the Program in Maritime Studies (Department of History) at East Carolina University (ECU) in 2018. He has taught classes in the history, theory, method, and ethics of maritime archaeology, field schools, and cultural heritage management at ECU since 2003.
Podcast Testimonial: "Being a guest on the Fascinated by Shipwrecks podcast was a great experience! Kathy creates a welcoming environment, making it feel like you’re having a deep conversation with a friend who shares your passion for history and exploration. Fascinated by Shipwrecks offers an engaging platform to explore the mysteries of the sea. Being on the show was an enjoyable experience I'll always remember."
