Top 5 Worst Shipwrecks of All Time

The vast oceans have witnessed countless maritime tragedies throughout history, with shipwrecks claiming innumerable lives and causing immeasurable damage. While most voyages pass without incident, some shipwrecks stand out for their devastating scale of destruction and loss of life. From the sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 with an estimated 9,000 fatalities, to the capsizing of the SS Sultana in 1865 killing around 1,800, to the collision and sinking of the MV Doña Paz in 1987 with over 4,300 deaths, these catastrophic shipwrecks serve as somber reminders of the perils of maritime travel. Examining the worst shipwrecks in history not only pays respect to the lives lost, but also underscores the critical importance of ship safety and disaster preparedness.