Mental Floss
Ships section header

Ships

The Latest

From underwater crop circles to the Bermuda Triangle, these deep sea mysteries actually have pretty logical explanations.

The first dramatization of the ‘Titanic’ wreck featured a survivor playing a fictionalized version of herself and a love interest named Jack.
Jake Rossen|
Wearing your favorite old pair of camouflage shorts on a Caribbean cruise could put a real damper on your vacation. 
Mike Rampton|
From the Bermuda Triangle to the ‘Mary Celeste,’ here are some of the most puzzling enigmas of the deep.
Claire Cock-Starkey|
The replica boat ‘Orca II’ was the unsung star of 1975's ‘Jaws.’ But what happened after filming ended was worse than any shark attack.
Jake Rossen|
‘The Goonies’ turns 40 this year—and to make the film, director Steven Spielberg may have drawn inspiration from a real-life shipwreck that occurred off Oregon’s coast. It’s known as the Beeswax Wreck.
AJ DiCosimo|
These are the five deepest shipwrecks ever discovered, including the USS ‘Samuel B. Roberts,’ which went to the depths of the Philippine Trench during the Second World War.
Tim Brinkhof|
A sunken ship near Florida holds clues to the early history of cats in the U.S.
CaLea Johnson|
A digital double promises fresh insight into the tragedy of the ‘Titanic.’
Jake Rossen|
Hearing the phrase ‘souls on board’ usually portends bad news. Why do we use it?
Jake Rossen|
When Captain George Pollard Jr.’s ship was rammed by a whale, he had no idea it would help make literary history.
Lucas Reilly|
The initialism was originally a bit of shipbuilder marketing—and now there are many different kinds of ship designations.
Paul Anthony Jones|
The complicated legal case involving salvage rights to the RMS ‘Titanic’ continues, 40 years after the famous shipwreck was rediscovered.
Jake Rossen|
You will instantly reveal yourself as a landlubber if you refer to a ship as a boat. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Matt Soniak|
There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.
Jake Rossen|
A blend of bureaucracy and saltwater is conspiring to keep any of the ship’s remaining secrets from being brought to the surface.
Jake Rossen|
A new study shows that hungry sea otters are keeping Monterey Bay’s green crab population in check, one bite at a time.
CaLea Johnson|
Wisconsin's USS ‘Cobia’ offers guests a living history lesson via Airbnb.
Jake Rossen|
You might want to skip dinner after reading these.
Madeleine Brown|
Whether real wrecks or ghostly sightings, these ships bear stories of unexplained deaths, flying orbs, and screams from the depths of the sea.
Hollie Stephens|
The footage is from a new ‘Endurance’ documentary hitting Disney+ later this year.
Ellen Gutoskey|

More From the Transportation Section

From unusually low landings to mountain-top airstrips that drop off cliffs, pilots approach these dangerous runways with extreme caution.
Logan DeLoye|
Snow on the road changes the rules of driving. Here are five common mistakes drivers make in winter weather and how to stay safer on icy roads.
Nitya Rao|
Beat time zone fatigue with this jet lag survival guide!
Logan DeLoye|
Those mysterious white lines you often see on the road right before a storm aren't just for show.
Stacey Marcus|
From leopards hidden in luggage to over a hundred snakes stashed in a man’s pants, there are some absolutely wild stories of people smuggling animals.
Erin McCarthy|
Looking at the origins of this Jeep-owner tradition.
Jenny Cohen|
To prevent spilled dishes and spoiled perishables from ruining the meal, check out these tips for safely packing and transporting food to Thanksgiving dinner.
Mary Beth Skylis|
Your favorite pet goldfish won’t get flagged—and neither will your holiday leftovers.
Nicole Pyles|
Ships section header

Read More About Transportation

TransportationCars and TrucksPlanes and AirportsRoadsShipsTrains