This is the first time I have heard Irving Johnson's voice in more than 60 years. I signed on as a crewman on his Yankee Brigantine(?) when he was taking kids around the world. He was a wonderful and charming and dynamic man, the likes of which hardly exist anymore. I knew he had been on the Peking but what a joy to see him as a young and very strong man. His voice sounds the same. My!!

Holy shite this is beyond incredible! I’m 56, a lifelong Alaskan commercial fisherman, consider myself mighty salty, been through a lotta nasty “are we gonna live?” Situations (100mph blows, twice) BUT next to these guys, any of em, I’m a soft little fluffy petunia delicate as can be. These guys, wow. The KZfaq algorithm is omnipotent, as I’m leaving port tomorrow, for a two day sail south and this was in my feed. Better practice my splicing…….

During my twenty-three year U.S. Navy career I was stationed aboard six different ships ranging in size from aircraft carrier to a small WWI-era destroyer escort. I have been through storm waters and heavy seas off Cape Hatteras and off the New England coasts, and monsoon and typhoons in the Western Pacific, the China Seas, and Indian Ocean. I thought we had it tough, but THIS video...I felt humbled as I watched REAL men of the seas contending with nature's fury. What ships! What men! Thank you for posting.

"It'd be silly to let go wouldn't it?" What a doco!

In all my 10 years of watching youtube, this is honestly the greatest video I have ever seen thank you so, so much

Without a doubt, the greatest piece of narrated historical film I've ever seen.

What a wonderful film. I'm heading to my parents' place to show it to my 93 yr old dad who ran off at 16 to join the Merchant Marines.

I now understand why, in almost every New England coastal port city, the largest and most grand home - nevertheless small by Gilded Age standards - built before the Civil War was owned by a “sailing captain”. Phenomenal physical strength notwithstanding, these guys clearly had unbelievable grasp of thousands of critical details and the ability to manage large numbers of people around the clock for long periods of time.

My grandad was born in 1883 and his favourite saying when he disagreed with someone was ''I was in Val Paraiso when I was 15 ,I sailed round the world when I was 20 ! .You've seen nothing ! You've been nowhere ." After watching this video I understand why he was such a proud man . He also served in France all through world war 1 as a sergeant major in the Royal Artillery. He lived a full healthy life till 1958 .Boy what a life

I never imagined anything like this phenomenal footage of an old sailing ship in a storm existed much less survived. This is the best historical footage I’ve ever seen on KZfaq. Thank you for sharing it!!

Wow. Just wow. I simply cannot begin to express how lucky I am to have found this, and especially how grateful I am that you uploaded this. Thank you so much

I'm not even exaggerating, this is best video and commentary I've ever seen in my life, how I've never seen or heard of it before is beyond me. Right before this I watched the star of India sailing....what a joke. There will never be anything like this again, truly, the great generation.

Captain Jurs spent his entire career on sailing ships. He died on December 21, 1945, on the day the last ship he commanded, the Padua, was turned over to the Soviet Union as war compensation. The Padua was renamed Krusenstern and is still active to this day in Russia. The Peking, which was the ship in this film, is now a museum ship in Germany.

56 times around the Horn The Greatest Skipper Of All time

Marvellous film. Captain Johnson's narration was coming straight from his memory and not at all scripted by the tone of it. The drama in his voice is so sincere and genuine and truly makes it worth watching.

My Danish grandfather was a Cape Horner, having successfully sailed around Cape Horn three times under sail in the early 1900s. Watching this video gave me a small glimpse into his experience. How brave he was and how brave all of the sailors who did that voyage.

This should be mandatory viewing for every man on the earth. Everything is so easy now. Most modern people have no idea of the struggle of humanity.

The passion in that mans voice, the respect he had for his Captain, the preparation he made and the longing you can hear when the voyage is all over - outstanding - remarkable - I can't find the right words.

A remarkable documentary. While serving aboard the U.S.S Cone DD866, I experienced two typhoons in the South China Sea. One would think that fear of death would be paralyzing, but it is almost always the opposite. The only thing between you and Davy Jones is keeping your vessel upright. Men will work in unbelievable conditions to ensure that outcome all the while seemingly unafraid. A tip of my white hat to these true sailors of our past!

I saw this 15 years ago and have been looking for it ever since. Amazing

Now I know what they mean when they say they were "iron men sailing wooden ships".

Captain Johnson’s commentary to his takes are priceless. Having seen this the first time 40 years ago, I am still amazed. Having sailed on schooners myself, I have at least an Idea of the life aboard. As a Hamburg residence living directly on the Riverside, I had the privilege to see the freshly renovated Peking coming back to Hamburg last year. Of course, this documentary was foremost in my mind. Thanks a lot, Happy New Year to all…

I had a chance to see Capt. Johnson in Lowell Massachusetts in the 1970s. He gave a lecture about his many trips around the world, and showed this film as he narrated, just as he did here. This was of particular interest to my Dad who had gone around Cape Horn on the USS Oriskany, in 1954. He had been nearly washed overboard when the carrier took a green wave over the flight deck while he was on deck watch. The Oriskany actually buckled a section of its keel on that trip. It was reported in the news that the ship was breaking up in high seas. Fortunately it didn’t. And fortunately my grand parents never saw the news report. Cape Horn is serious business!

Wow! I had no idea. No wonder to me now why sailors had to kidnapp men to work on those ships. I imagine some of these men had to be seasick, dizzy, and still "pulled their weight, no slackers, and keep your soap on a rope." I never understood those terms before this movie. Fantastic filming and narration by someone who was there.

The enthusiasm on this commentary is simply brilliant.

What a wonderful film and commentary the excitement in his voice after 50 years is palpable. Nothing but respect for sailors of that age. Truly one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.

I was a journeyman shipwright in Seattle. My mentor for my apprenticeship spent his early years on a ship just like this one. He used to tell me stories of sailing the world as a young man. He even made trips to Antarctica on a sailing ship. I had no idea until I saw this video what his true experiences were. RIP Pete Herd you were the best mentor along with my Father Walter Taubeneck.

My grandfather was a sailor for 40 years, this gives me a new found respect for just how tough he was!

An absolute gem of a film! One of my regrets is that I was born too late to sign on to crew on a sailing ship. Get strong or die, get smart or die. Anyone bragging/complaining about how hard they have to work should watch this film.

I used to make my staff watch this film to give them an appreciation of what conditions at sea could be like. One of my prized possessions is a signed first edition of his book "Around Cape Horn.

“The sails are everything, they are our connection.” Lovely.

Absolutely amazing!!! He called the captain superman a bunch of times and he was. Also the shot of captain Johnson when he was working on the sails, his arms were gigantic! What a film!!! This is an incredible piece of film, it boggles the mind to see these guys working in do or die situations throughout the film. People today need to see this and have a clue!!!! Thanks for posting this unbelievable piece of history!!!!!

That has to be one of the best films I have ever seen on KZfaq. 98% of KZfaq is silly, stupid fluff but once in a blue moon you run across something like this. Fantastic. Thank you for posting.

Reminds me of my g-g uncle Capt. Charles Chace. He used to sit down with me when I was a young boy back in the '50s and tell me about his voyages. He was around 90 at the time, and a whaling master who once worked out of New Bedford, Mass. for the largest whaling firm in the country, The J. & W.R. Wing Company. He sailed the last voyage for them in 1914 on the bark Andrew Hicks. I can still hear his gruff voice telling sea stories.

Different times back then. Incredible footage, commentary and mindset.

I’ve been in seas like that in modern vessels, and it’s unbelievable to me that men were able to sail in masted ships through these storms and survive. It’s really remarkable what humans can adapt to, even if the stress takes years off your life.

This is the greatest and most amazing film ever made at sea. The conditions from total calm to the worst storms ever handled by a ship totally under the power of the sails and surviving. The sails top out at 17 stories high. WOW. What a courageous effort to not only sail on this ship but to film the journey. Really unbelievable and totally Awesome.

Imagine being shanghaied, and waking up with a severe hangover to this life! Merciful heavens! For an "amateur photographer" you have done an absolutely amazing job. I don't think I could be paid enough to be a deck hand on that ship.

My kingdom for a color camera at the end! But seriously, this is the most incredible film! I'm glad I watched it.

I've been on this ship a bunch of times growing up. It was docked in NYC. I watched this whole video before I realized I've been on this ship. It was a big part of my childhood. Amazing film

I just struck KZfaq GOLD! INCREDIBLE!

I remember my old dad watching this on TV forty years ago and raving about it.

I have no words.......this took my breath away..... absolutely incredible.....reminds me of the movie,"Master and Commander"....Thank you!

Ever since I was a child my mum had an embroidered picture of the cutty sark the famous tea clipper, my aunt embroidered it for her and we were not allowed to touch it, so seeing this is showing me the real ships with real men sailing on them, great film

Amazing real footage where lives were lost along the way ! 8,000 tons moving upto 16 Knotts speed through head winds of 100 mph. Climbing masts 17 stories above the deck without life lines in the snow and wind in 80 foot seas. People were different then. Everyone was Superman !

Astounding piece of nautical history. I feel humble witnessing this incredible feat. The narration was superb and really dragged you into feeling as though you were there. Entrancing.

Most amazing piece of narrated history I have ever seen. This man was extremely talented, strong in body and mind. Movies, media and literature build the image of a genius like its a superhero. There are countless variations but In reality the narrator of this video was certainly one of them. Very understandable and relatable ( a conscious effort on his part to communicate as quick and effectively as possible furthering his life experience and those around him). Extremely high IQ. Empathetic. He has mastered the physical world in many ways (very difficult), his insight and description was a piece of art in itself. This was one of those moments where I'm just bewildered by what I just experienced. Awestruck and at the end...happy. One of the finest gifts. He knew that people in the future would appreciate these moments he painstakingly filmed. It is a gift for all of us and I am sure he would find the greatest pleasure in knowing he made millions smile and take with them learning about a piece of history that should never be forgotten. Inspiring.

Wow! The bravery of these sailors is incredible and to be filming out in those storms is unbelievable. And the narration is great! This video is truly a gem.

Seafarers have been watching this video for years! Awesome.

Suggested reading "Two Years Before the Mast" probably have read it 5 times over the years

wow- stunning video- thank you to whoever downloaded this film - thank you to the camera man and his narration -wow

This is probably the best piece of film l’ve ever seen, absolute treasure.

Wonderful, moving piece of real history. A film like this is genuinely priceless.

Not sure how many lads would consider being aloft in a blow off the Horn "lucky"! That is another form of animal altogether - and with a movie camera no less! We are blessed to have this history preserved. Extraordinary!

My grandfather was technical advisor for the film. He was a high-wire artist. One hand for yourself - one hand for the ship. Ooga Booga.

About the best of anything I’ve ever seen. This skill, bravery, dedication and passion can never be repeated. Thank you. Everyone under 35 should be made to watch this to see what real life is about.

I could listen to this fella all day everyday, he tells a good story. Theres no denying it, men back then really were made of much tougher stuff.

I have done a little sailing myself, but I am having a hard time imagining what it must have been like to sit at the top of the mast in the middle of 100 mph winds near Cape Horn not just surviving, but getting steady-handed footage (!) of the waves repeatedly submerging much of the deck. The wind chill factor must have dropped temps into the teens or twenties, or even lower. If I hadn't seen the footage, I would not have believed it could be done - in 1928 or at any other time. My hat off and a big "thank you" to Captain Irving Johnson.

I would have to agree with some of the other comments. Perhaps the best, most enjoyable video I have seen on YOU Tube. Thank You. I wish I could have met the CAPT of that ship. WOW.

As a retired Bering sea fisherman, i am absolutely in awe of these men. Wish I could have been right there with them on this grand adventure!

OMG. I have crossed oceans under sail, and I've been in storms, but nothing to hold a candle to this. What a great piece of histry. It is one thing to read about it, but seeing it and hearing the narration from someone who was there is a whole different experience. They were men in those days.

Thank you so much for putting this up. I was shown this about 20 years ago by my now ex wife's uncle. He has now passed away, and I always remember sitting there with him, drinking to try and keep up with him, and watching his collection of videos like this, that no-one else there seemed to care how important and cool they were. Just me totally hooked on what I was seeing, and Gary over the moon to find someone who appreciated it. Miss those times, You were a top man, Gary Johnson, and I still think of you often, especially today when I finally got to see this for a second time. Having a drink for you!!!

Beautifully spoken by the man himself. Hold fast

Makes me want to be a sailor. What courage these men had and the dog was priceless.

Absolutely astonished! These dudes are some hardworking sons of blutos!!!

As an old/ex-mountaineer I've spend many a day/night in freezing storms, but to add water to the mix sure kicks it up a notch. Many thanks to Captain Irving Johnston (R.I.P.) for documenting this voyage.

Absolutely fabulous. What wonderful men there were in the early history of the world. Wow, just wow.

I recently read Eric Newby's book "The Last Grain Race" about his work on one of the last pre-war sailing ships like this. Great to see the films confirming what a tough world it was. "But men were men in these days" as my old headmaster used to say!

Absolutely amazing. I'm amazed his camera withstood the salt water. Pedant alert! The title is "fully rigged ship", but that's the name of an actual rig configuration. The Peking was a barque (as mentioned at 2'12"). Ships are square rigged on the mizzen. I served as foretopman aboard the SV Marques in 1983... 80 feet to the truck... not quite the 170!!! of the Peking. Still, incredibly thrilling to loose the royals at dawn (we were amateurs and furled them at night in case of squalls. Captain didn't want lubbers out on the royal yards in the pitch black. For safety we were told "one hand for Jack and one for the ship", or the more useful bit, "don't fall off". She sank in '84, killing 19.

Die Umrundung des beruechtigten Kap Horns mit dem Vollschiff " Preussen " aus Hamburg, im Jahre 1929, ein wahrhaft fantastischen Dokument von Irving Johnson.

Wow. Thank you. Humbling scenes.

He'd be happy to know the Peking is still going strong! After many years at South Street Seaport, she was gifted to her home port of Hamburg for the German Port Museum

Just a big WOW !!! words escape me, Incredible almost 100 years ago !!

This video of Sailing needs to be preserved for ever. The greatest account of the hardship of sailing a square rigger.

Amazing! I have long wanted to sail on the ocean - at 68 years old this may be closest I'll get! I might've been able to train for this when I was 14 but...that was many moons ago. Thanks so much for posting this gem - no words in any language would suffice 🙂

A beautiful, well-built ship; a wise, highly experienced and courageous captain; brave, strong, determined sailors; crazy weather- from boringly calm to desperately raging and murderous; a plucky, talented, skilled, articulate film-maker and storyteller; and a precious cargo to deliver! What a story! What a magnificent, dramatic and riveting movie! I loved every second of this and this is one of the best hours I've ever spent watching a film. Thank you so much for sharing this.

I just love the commentary already, and his way with words. "The captain was an expert at repairing seamen that were smashed around"

This is such a wonderful film. For thousands of years, boats have sailed the deep sea. To have the voice of someone who did it when sail was still a viable mode is incredible.

That reminds me on the time I was Kadett on the PAMIR from December 1951 to March 1953 and later I sailed one more time on the sistership PASSAT from March 1956 to August 1956. What a wonderful Time that was. To day I am 87 Years old but that time awas unforgetable. Thanks for sharing it.

I remember meeting Captain Irving Johnson when he was traveling around showing this and doing lectures. He was a very impressive individual. Thank you for posting this

A fine ship, and how stalwart and so committed the men who sailed in her. Over 90 knot gusts and 80 foot seas. Hard for me to imagine. Hard to find words

The narrator infects you with his passion for sailing. I was mesmerized.

I attended a lecture by Captain Johnson in the early 1970’s It was part of a series entitled The Last Of The Sea Dogs and it included the then aging ocean voyaging sailors from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. Captain Johnson had just begun to show his old films and he was as enthusiastic and as knowledgeable as though he had just come in from a passage. Same with the other “old sea dogs” who appeared. They all were a big part of my planning over the next five years and then leaving job and home to spend the next 27 years circumnavigating/meandering around the world on my 40 foot sailboat. I never forgot that evening with Captain Johnson.

The narrator was the consummate storyteller. What a great film.

What a fabulous film, don’t know you’re born these days!

This is one of the most incredible recordings I've ever seen. I've heard the stories of what it's like to sail one of these ships - but seeing this footage really brings home the reality. It's hard to believe that humans are even capable of this kind of work, but there it is on film!

Hard to put into words what I witnessed in the film.Tremendous respect for all the crew members.You have to be incredibly tough to endure what they went through!

Amazing, I had an uncle who trained on a Sailing Ship (Conway) back in the 1930's. I still have the photo's and it fired my imagination with the aim of running away to sea. I actually never did, I was brought up in land locked Rhodesia but I eventually spent my career, some 46 years in all, associated with Shipping and was there at the advent of containerisation. I consider myself to have been lucky in my choice of trade but have a great admiration of the Cape Horners.

The courage of these men is hard to fathom. The only thing that seems to scare them is the Captain’s dog!

Life before electronics, for thousands of years past. I gasped when they were wiping white lead on the cable with their hands. The narrative, narration is one of the greatest talks of personal experience.

Fascinating. I imagine sailors of that era were some of the most conditioned people who ever lived. I would not want to fight one.

This is one of the most amazing recovered films I have ever seen. You can taste the brine and agreed, the hands of the Captain are extraordinary. This is History.

3000 calories a day wouldnt be enough. The core strength these guys developed over time must have been off the charts. All were as strong as was humanly possible for each individual. Year after year after year. Jesu Christe.

This is the Best narrative of sailing tall ships around the Horn I've ever heard !! Bravo!!!

We should dig a great canal across the Isthmus of Panama... probably save a lot of seamen's lives! Amazing video, amazing story!

I spent 40 years sailing in and working on trawlers and tugs and I have nothing but admiration for these brave men.SEAMEN to the core .there like will never be seen again..Roly 🇬🇧.

Phenomenal!! Far beyond the real "age of sail", that someone got behind a camera and recorded this. This piece will go down in history as one of the greatest pieces of cinematography ever. It puts some real perspective into the phrase: "Iron Men and Wooden Ships"........ absolutely priceless footage!!!

Ships of wood, men of iron...incredible! I have so much respect for the sailors of old.

When I was 18 yesterday my Dad bought a fifty foot sloop. Which I raced for seven years off Calif. There are no words to express the love of the ocean or sailing. It a compulsion to which there is no equivatable feeling. Or high. 😮 I miss it greatly but at 68. I will never experience that thrill again. Especially in winning a race . I thank God for the opportunity that marked me as a Man!😅

"A rare and wonderful part of history" is, in this case, an incredible understatement. For this to exist at all blows my mind. Even the history of how it came to be is amazing, that that journey started a hundred years ago in the dreams of a spirited young boy and now resides here, amongst the flotsam and jetsam that is the Internet, is astounding. I'm simply blown away.