New podcast episode: The fight for survival of two damaged crews - with YACHT editor Morten Strauch

Leonie Meyer

· 20.06.2025

Morten Strauch is a passionate sailor. He came across the story through a Terra X documentary and wanted to research it directly.

The survivors of the "Grafton" build a formidable shelter from wreckage. To keep themselves occupied in the evenings, they teach each other to read, write and speak their languages.

The Auckland Islands were discovered in 1806 by the British whaler Captain Bristow. The islands have been a strictly protected UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

Horrific delivery: The survivors of the "Invercauld" leave an injured comrade on the beach. His fate is sealed. He will either starve to death or freeze to death.

The dinghy of the "Grafton" is enlarged to make it seaworthy. The crossing through the stormy South Pacific takes five days and five nights.

5 Images

Photo: Morten Strauch

In the 42nd podcast episode of YACHT - the sailing podcast host Timm Kruse and YACHT editor Morten Strauch take you on a journey back in time. More precisely, to the year 1864, in the middle of the southern Pacific, at a time when ships in the "Furious Fifties" - a notorious zone between the Auckland Islands and the southern hemisphere - repeatedly had to contend with devastating conditions.

Topics in this article

The difference between survival and demise
Solidarity vs. competition
Here you can listen to the YACHT podcast with Morten Strauch

At the centre of this episode are two fateful accidents that occurred almost simultaneously in the isolated surroundings of a desert island. Two ship crews - a small square-rigged schooner ("Grafton") with five men and a larger ship with 25 - stranded, separated by the sea, but equally confronted with life and death. While the "Grafton" crew overcame the crisis thanks to clever organisation, cohesion and craftsmanship, the other group descended into chaos, indiscipline and despair.

The difference between survival and demise

Morten Strauch, who researched the story, talks to Timm Kruse about the crucial aspects between the two crews: What made the difference between survival and sinking? The YACHT editor provides the answer. You can also find out from the research how the crew members of the "Grafton" became survivalists and how the other crew ended up in a maelstrom of conflict, hopelessness and hunger, which ultimately led to several tragedies.

Solidarity vs. competition

In addition to the exciting survival strategies, the two also discuss the importance of leadership and organisation under extreme conditions. What lessons can be learnt today from these historical events? How can modern rescue measures and emergency depots ensure the desire to survive? And what does history tell us about human nature in extreme situations? Timm Kruse and Morten Strauch also address these questions in the 42nd episode.

Here you can listen to the YACHT podcast with Morten Strauch

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Here you can find the article by Morten Strauch:

History: Shipwreck of two crews with different outcomes - team play on one side, cannibalism on the other

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New podcast episode: The fight for survival of two damaged crews - with YACHT editor Morten Strauch

The difference between survival and demise

Solidarity vs. competition

Here you can listen to the YACHT podcast with Morten Strauch

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Here you can find the article by Morten Strauch:

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