Connect with us

Lists

How Cornelia Marie Survived a Fire, a Lawsuit, and a Pandemic

Published

on

Cornelia Marie is one of the most recognized commercial fishing vessels used in the freezing Alaskan waters, because of its participation in the hit reality television series, “Deadliest Catch,” aired on Discovery Channel. It was under the command of Captain Phil Harris for many years until he died in 2010. Aside from the immense danger F/V Cornelia Marie encountered during the crabbing season, it also underwent a series of misfortunes such as a potential fire accident and a government shutdown due to the pandemic along with being mentioned in lawsuits and scandals. It was nothing short of a miracle that it stayed afloat despite the many incidents that could have sunk the fishing vessel literally and figuratively many times in the past two decades. A recent scandal may change the shipping vessel’s luck, and fans believe that they may never see it again on TV.

The Origins of F/V Cornelia Marie

Contrary to what newer “Deadliest Catch” fans believed, the F/V Cornelia Marie wasn’t named after Captain Phil Harris’ first wife, even if the fishing vessel would be forever identified with him. There was a real-life Cornelia Marie, a native Alaskan married to Ralph Collins who was in the commercial fishing business. Sometime in 1989, the couple invested in a $1.5 million-worth 106-foot crabbing boat, which they had built by known shipbuilder Elmo Horton in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. It was powered by twin Mitsubishi engines with 630 horsepower, and could hold 25,800 gallons of fuel. Ralph named it as such to pay tribute to his wife who deserved it as she was the one handling the accounts books of their fishing business.

His initial plans for the F/V Cornelia Marie were to sail to Seattle by going to the Gulf of Mexico and then passing through the Panama Canal up to the West Coast. However, the US invaded Panama to topple its dictator, Manuel Noriega, and for military reasons, the Panama Canal was closed that one night in December of 1989. It resumed operations the next day, but the fishing vessel was stuck there for a little over a week, and by the time it reached Seattle, the crabbing season was well underway. Ralph became its temporary captain as there wasn’t any time to find a new one, however, staying at sea for long periods of time wasn’t good for their young family, so they looked for someone they could trust at the helm of the boat. They found Phil Harris, and when they offered him a quarter stake of ownership as well as a chance to run a newly-built state-of-the-art boat, he was stupefied. Ralph said that he had seen others easily walk away to better offers, so he made sure that the new captain would be a part owner of the boat to persuade him to stay as long as possible.

Advertisement

Cornelia Marie and Phil Harris

When Captain Phil Harris was hired to command F/V Cornelia Marie at the end of 1990, the owners didn’t realize that he lacked a formal technical engineering education. They only knew that he was knowledgeable about it, and that he had this in-your-face confidence, and Phil was smart enough to hire the most competent engineer he could find to help him run the boat. Most of what he knew was from experience and gut instinct. He was astute enough to learn every single piece of gadget or equipment inside the boat, so it was uncanny that he would know, even before his crew or engineer did, if something was wrong with the ship just by its sound. During the early years, Ralph would sometimes be the skipper of the boat when in halibut season, but when it was time for crab hunting, Phil took the wheel.

Scariest moments in F/V Cornelia Marie

Accidents do happen, but everything is scarier if one is in the middle of a wide ocean. It reminded everyone in the crab fleet of the hazardous aspect of their profession, but Phil would often tell his sons, ‘You can’t take it personally or it will drive you insane.’ However, his son said that one couldn’t help but take it personally, especially if dead bodies were floating around!

Swept overboard

Those who hadn’t been onboard a crab fishing vessel in the Bering Seas couldn’t relate to the type of risk that the fishermen faced. Phil knew that his sons should accept it if they wanted to continue in this profession. One time, a deckhand was swept overboard, and it took about five minutes for the rest of the crew to realize that he was gone. However, with the kind of waves that they encountered, no one could find him and all they could see was empty waters around the boat. It was the reason why Captain Phil would constantly observe from the wheelhouse window just to check if everyone was where they were supposed to be.

Confronted gigantic waves head on

Another scary moment Phil had aboard Cornelia Marie was when he was about to hand over the wheelhouse to his relief skipper, and they were confronted by a huge wave. They both saw it but there was nothing they could do. It popped open the glass window, so gallons and gallons of water entered and even knocked down the lights. It wasn’t Phil’s first time to experience it, because he was still in his teens working for his father when a similar thing happened. He had learned not to panic, so he just took on a hammer and boarded up the window with plywood. The fishing vessel had encountered these kinds of waves for many years, and while it was dangerous, it had become a normal occurrence for him. However, Phil never thought they would face a gigantic wave that they estimated to be over 100 feet high. As he knew it was coming, he made sure that it wouldn’t hit the boat on its side, so he collided with it head-on. The crew described it as if they were in a car driving on a steep mountain road going up to the peak but with no road at the other side so it was like falling off a cliff. Cornelia Marie fell loudly and broke the boat’s two solid heavy steel rudders.

Oil leakage in the engine room

During the 11th season of “Deadliest Catch,” Josh Harris took over as co-Captain of F/V Cornelia Marie, along with his father’s long-time buddy, Engineer Casey McManus. One of the things a captain wouldn’t want to hear from the radio was that there was a fire somewhere in the boat, specifically coming from the engine bay. It smelled of smoke and fire down there, but Josh immediately checked it out and saw that there was oil spillage in the room. They all knew it was a dangerous moment and so the fishing stopped so they could all focus on the problem. The oil line blew, and fire could easily flare up if it wasn’t fixed immediately. In these situations, the technical know-how and experience of co-Captain Casey McManus came into play. Josh said, ‘This is the reason why I’m not a full-fledged captain because of situations like these. I don’t even know what’s going on down there.’ Flames were averted, and they didn’t need to make an emergency stop in their crabbing operation to return to town.

Crabbing shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic

One would think that the crab fishing industry wouldn’t be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, considering it would involve being in the vast waters of the Bering Sea off Alaska. Each year, the industry would depend on the annual surveys conducted by the government as they advocated sustainable fisheries management in Alaska. These surveys were the cornerstone of how the industry would proceed annually, on what limitations the fishermen would have in their harvest. Unfortunately, due to uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May 2020 reported that they’d canceled certain surveys. As a result, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game made an historic announcement that the red king crab fishery would be closed for the 2021-2022 season – the F/V Cornelia Marie captains then made the necessary adjustments to their fishing activities. The danger just went up many notches, as they hunted for other species in the sea, but they didn’t have any choice since their livelihood was at stake.

Advertisement

Fishing operation expenses soared higher

The operating expenses for Cornelia Marie went up just like most of the other fishing boats in the Bering Sea. It was hard flying in due to flight regulations, plus getting crew members to join was another matter, since most people were afraid of contracting the virus; they needed to pay up to 10 times the usual rate so they could get crew. It was even harder with restrictions on getting in and out of processing plants. To make it easier for Josh Harris, he reached out to Shane, who was Phil Harris’ son from his first relationship. Josh idolized his older brother and was grateful Shane agreed to help them out.

Golden King Crab fishing at a deeper and more dangerous level

With red crab fishing out of the equation, co-Captains Josh and Casey sailed out to hunt for golden king crabs as an alternative source of income, or else file for bankruptcy. To get these species, they needed to use 10 shots of the line instead of the regular two lines that they used for red crabs. What they normally did in red crab fishing was dangerous enough, but golden king crab fishing was harder, as they needed to place the pots out in the water 10 times deeper, such a complicated process that took a long time to do. One golden king crab pot set-up was equal to having to set up seven red crab pots. The whole crew wasn’t ready for it, and they all found it creepy and tiring.

Cornelia Marie and Time Bandit joined forces

If putting down the crab pots in the deep water was extremely exhausting, hauling them up was even more so, and quite tricky as well. As a result, they lost some of them so they needed to do it differently. Since they were all quite new to this type of fishing, the Cornelia Marie crew asked for help from another fishing vessel, the Time Bandit. Its captain, Jonathan Hillstrand, was cool enough to give them a hand. The captains of both vessels came up with a plan, which seemed great on paper, but Josh Harris said, ‘To be quite honest with you, I didn’t quite understand what Jonathan and Casey had going on.’ He said that they had all witnessed crazier things in their boats, but the plan worked out wonderfully without anyone getting hurt or ending up in a body bag. The funny thing was that the production crew of “Deadliest Catch” asked them if they could do it again at a slower pace, but they all said no, as it was just a one-time deal. The co-Captains even told them there was no way they could slow it down – it was as if telling them to jump out of a car at 60 miles per hour.

The scandals and lawsuits surrounding the Harris Brothers

The F/V Cornelia Marie had always been associated with the late Phil Harris, so any controversial news that came out about his sons, the fishing vessel was always mentioned. Also, both his sons, Josh and Jake, worked in the fishing boat after he passed away. The legendary captain might have been wild during his heyday, but he had never been in serious scandals that involved law enforcement.

Advertisement

Jake Harris was in and out of jail

Growing up in a dysfunctional home and without a great role model, Phil’s younger son Jake turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with his problems. Just a week after his father died in 2010, Jake was arrested for driving under the influence. He crashed Phil’s BMW 3 series into another car, after driving erratically and with a suspended license, so spent a night in jail before he was bailed out.

The second time he was arrested was in 2017 for drug possession and theft. He ditched the married woman he was having an affair with after spending the night in a hotel, which wouldn’t have been a problem if he hadn’t taken her car. When the police caught up with him, they found illegal drugs on him such as meth and Xanax. He failed to attend the subsequent hearing, and so the judge issued an arrest warrant.

His run-ins with the law didn’t stop there, as Jake was involved in a police chase after he refused to present his ID when he was confronted by park rangers in a state park. He looked unkempt and out of it that when he bolted out, and they chased after him; apparently, he had heroin with him along with a stolen firearm. He was arrested and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. He was also required to install an ignition interlock mechanism in whatever car he was to drive after completing his jail sentence. After he was out of prison, it didn’t take long for him to be re-arrested for DUI.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJMlH0rgOX/

Josh Harris was fired from “Deadliest Catch”

Cornelia Marie’s absence in the latest season of “Deadliest Catch” sparked curiosity among fans, as most of them wanted to see Josh Harris continue the legacy of their father. Some of them thought that the boat’s absence might have something to do with the younger Harris, because he was the one who was always in trouble, so fans were shocked when it was reported that Josh Harris was fired from the reality TV series. Several speculations surfaced, but nobody was prepared for the exact reason why his services were terminated. Apparently, a report came out in September 2022 that one of the favorite captains from “Deadliest Catch” was a pedophile.

The reports said that Josh Harris was embroiled in a sexual abuse case dating back to 1998. At that time he was around 15 years old, and it was the mother of the girl who reported the abuse to the police. The entertainment site, Factz, wrote, ‘Josh Harris digitally, vaginally and orally raped a 4-year-old girl 7/14/1998.’ He was able to commit the nefarious act because the victim was a neighbor, and the daughter of a deckhand. While semen was found on the scene during the investigation, Josh wasn’t arrested immediately since DNA processing wasn’t that advanced yet. It took the investigators quite a while to make a case against him. As a minor, Josh was initially put into house confinement under the watchful eyes of his father and stepmother, and charged with Fourth Degree Assault and Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes. He was imprisoned for nine months, and was ordered to undergo a psychological sexual examination.

Advertisement

Discovery Channel was one of the last people to know about it, but once it came to light, they quietly cut ties with Josh Harris and removed the spin-off series in which he featured back in 2022 from the menu program of its streaming service.

The F/V Cornelia Marie survived all the misfortunes and challenges that came its way in the past, but many people believed that this incident might figuratively bury the fishing vessel at the bottom of the sea, never to resurface.

As the Managing Editor at The Legit, I direct a dynamic team dedicated to creating rich content that profiles the lives and accomplishments of influential figures. My commitment to detail and storytelling drives the production of biographies that truly engage our audience. I manage all aspects of the editorial process, from conducting thorough research to crafting vivid narratives, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of our work. At The Legit, our goal is to offer our readers comprehensive profiles that provide deep insights into the realms of business, entertainment, and more. Through diligent research and engaging storytelling, we highlight the exceptional journeys and achievements of those who both inspire and intrigue us.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lists

What happened to Georgie on “Heartland”?

Published

on

Georgie Fleming-Morris, played by Sally Bishop at a young age and Alisha Newton as a young adult, was one of the main characters in “Heartland.” She captured the viewers’ hearts with how she overcame her childhood traumas from a foster family and bonded with her adoptive parents, Lou Fleming and Peter Morris, and their young daughter Katie.

She found refuge at the Heartland Ranch after Jack Bartlett took her in, becoming a talented horserider and a brave and respectful young woman. However, she disappeared in the 15th season, worrying many fans, but returned in the last few episodes of the 16th season before they could create petitions. We covered Georgie’s journey from the introduction to the last episode in early 2023.

Georgie has had a difficult journey

After the showrunners introduced Georgie to viewers in the sixth season, the fans learned about her tragic backstory. After she lost her parents, the child service organization put her into one foster family after another. However, Georgie never felt at home in those families, and ran away several times. After one such escape, Jack, who inherited his grandfather’s 600-acre Heartland Ranch, found her in the loft above his barn and took her in.

Advertisement

She quickly realized that her heart told her that the ranch was where she belonged. Thankfully, she could stay and ride horses thanks to her adoption by the Fleming-Morris family. Georgie quickly befriended several people, including Mallory, Jade and Stephen, dated several, such as Adam, Wyatt and Quinn, and even made an enemy in Olivia Wheaton. Her relationships and acceptance from Jack and her adoptive parents turned her into a passionate horserider and animal lover who wanted to win the Olympics in show-jumping.

Her biological parents died

Most problems in Georgie’s life can be traced to her biological parents. In the same season she debuted, the storyline explained that she was the younger daughter of Mary and Matthew Crawley, but that they died when she was three. Although she does not remember them, her full birth name, Georgina Crawley, is a remnant, and she could learn about their lives through her older brother, Jeff Crawley. He is the only biological family member whom Georgie keeps in touch with, although the showrunners revealed that they have a maternal aunt, Crystal Norwood – their maternal grandparents, Michael and Silvia Norwood, are deceased.

Jeff is the bad-boy type with a noble heart, who rides motorcycles and can afford expensive things because he works for an oil company. However, the two are close, and he doesn’t hesitate to work part-time for Jack whenever he visits Heartland Ranch. Additionally, he developed a romantic interest in Mallory and Cassandra, and even kissed Georgie’s best friend, Jade, in the eighth season. Although Katie is much younger in the show, Jeff likes spending time with her, giving the siblings another reason to be together.

Most importantly, Jeff admires Ty Borden, who had a hard life and worked on the ranch during the probation period after assaulting his stepfather Wade, who abused him. Georgie enjoys seeing him have a close male friend, which deepens their bond.

Her adoptive parents always supported her

Although Jack offered to foster her, then become her permanent assistant, the arm of the law would have taken Georgie away and put her in yet another two-parent foster family, as they would likely find a more suitable and less busy couple than Jack.

Luckily, Peter and Lou stepped in and fostered her before adopting her. Lou was the older sister of Amy Fleming and Jack’s granddaughter, and owned Maggie’s Diner and Heartland’s Equestrian Connection. However, she was perhaps best known as the jam-maker for the ranch. Peter was a former Bedford Oil executive who Lou’s family initially disliked, but he managed to warm their hearts. He invited Lou for a date in the second season, and the two started dating in the early third season before he proposed in the 12th episode. Georgie also has a young adoptive sister, Katie, who was five years old when introduced in the ninth season.

Unfortunately, Georgie’s parents started having issues in their marriage in the eighth season, culminating within roughly two and a half seasons. Regardless of their problems, they agreed to co-parent Georgie and Katie. Lou begins to date Mitch afterward; they buy a ranch in the 13th season, and their relationship almost ends in marriage. However, Peter and Lou realized that they had feelings for each other during the 14th and 15th seasons.

Advertisement

Georgie focused on horse-riding and nurturing her friendships during the discord between her parents, so she felt little tension. Additionally, her parents were rekindling the flame before the end of the 15th season; hence, the viewers couldn’t see Georgie’s reaction. Her return focused on her lack of passion for show-jumping and romantic relationship, robbing them of another opportunity to see Georgie’s response. Still, her adoptive parents were always by her and her sister’s side, and approved of her relationship with her biological brother.

Georgie’s rival later became her friend

Midway through the sixth season, the screenwriters decided to explore Georgie’s response to bullying, unfairness, and competition in her favorite activities. Thus, they introduced Olivia Wheaton, who made fun of George for two seasons, making Georgie punch her in the face and get in trouble.

Also, Olivia annoyed her by doing the same things, such as trick-riding Extreme Team. That wouldn’t be an issue if Olivia indicated that she was interested in that activity with the horse; instead, she did it out of jealousy; Georgie excelled at it. Additionally, Olivia begins to make moves on Adam while he’s dating Georgie, and has dated him in seasons 10 and 11 after Georgie breaks up with him. Unfortunately for Adam, Olivia bid him farewell at the end of season 12. Nonetheless, fans got the impression that she wanted Adam so that she could prove that she could steal him from Georgie, then keep him interested.

However, Georgie and Olivia developed a friendship and learned to work together in the middle of the 10th season. In one episode, Extreme Team’s coach Natalie chose Olivia to headline the end-of-season event by performing a difficult trick, tail drag. After she fails, the coach chooses Georgie, but she too has trouble, and decides that it’s too dangerous. Natalie eventually apologizes and chooses Sam, the rider who initially performed the trick, and Georgie proposes a joint trick performance with Olivia, followed by their taking turns at the hippodrome. Offering a helping hand when Olivia was down showed the camaraderie, and had a massive positive effect, making the two much closer afterward.

Georgie had an unclear relationship with Stephen

Soap operas are known for keeping fans in suspense, especially regarding will-they-won’t-they relationships. Stephen fulfilled that role; Georgie defended him from a group of boys attacking him near a school bus, and their relationship blossomed in the eighth season.

In the 13th episode, Georgie asks him to a Sadie Hawkins dance, but ultimately has to stay home after contracting chickenpox. Stephen cared for her since he was immune, which let them get to know each other, including Georgie learning that Stephen’s parents were divorcing. Thus, he unknowingly helped prepare Georgie for her adoptive parent’s down the road.

Moreover, although she was confused when Stephen called their lunch at Maggie’s Diner ‘a date,’ she realized shortly after that he had a crush on her. Unfortunately, his mom landed a job in Manitoba, and he had to leave with her. Luckily, Georgie saw his mom beforehand, and she told her about the departure before Stephen. She longingly responded, ‘Just when I was thinking of having a boyfriend…’ indicating that she was developing feelings and considering the relationship with him. To the dismay of fans who thought they would be a great couple, Stephen left the show in the middle of the ninth season and never returned. However, they had a passionate hug before he got on the bus.

Advertisement

She had three boyfriends

Fans disappointed with Stephen’s disappearance didn’t have long to wait for a new romance. Adam Parker became her math tutor in the ninth season, but she initially disliked him. However, after they partnered up to do some work at the wildlife reserve, her opinion of him changed, and she developed a crush. Adam made the first move and attempted to kiss her, but her focus was elsewhere. Luckily, she redeemed herself later by kissing him because she didn’t want to regret not trying. Things initially looked great for the young couple, especially when she didn’t mind that Adam had diabetes, and saved him from a winter storm. Sadly, he started snooping through her smartphone, and his insecurity made her break up with him in the 10th season.

Georgie quickly moved on; several episodes later, she met Wyatt McMurtry, Casey McMurtry’s nephew and Clay McMurtry’s cousin. Although the first time he tried to kiss her was awkward, they soon got cozy during a barbecue at Heartland Ranch and started kissing. However, her illusion shattered when Wyatt admitted that he was dating a girl in his hometown. Although he claimed that his emotions were gone and that he wasn’t sure how to tell her, his confession cooled Georgie off, and she severed all ties with him.

She later developed a crush on Dylan Westfield, and the two had a lot of positive tension and playful conflicts, but nothing happened in terms of romance. That was until season 13, when she met Quinn McGregor, a jumping coach. Although he taught at Hillhurst, he was born and spent much time in Florida with his father. After they began dating, Quinn developed a rivalry with Wyatt over Georgie. However, that was his only somewhat negative trait; Quinn was sweet, supportive, and mature, and they were together when Georgie disappeared from the show.

Georgie didn’t return for the 15th season

Soap opera viewers know that any character could leave the show. In most cases, the writers choose to take the script in another direction because of a plot change, problems with the actor’s contract, or the actor’s decision to leave. Moreover, viewers already mourned the departure of Ty Borden; he died in the 10th episode of the 13th season; while saving Amy from a poacher shooting at a wolf, he was shot and died from a blood clot. In reality, the actor Graham Wardle decided to quit the show and accept other acting gigs, so writers abruptly changed the storyline.

However, nothing could prepare viewers for Georgie vanishing. Her relationship with Quinn was heading toward marriage, and she planned to compete in the Olympics with his professional help and motivation as a boyfriend. Moreover, her parents got their romantic spark back after being apart for five seasons, and fans expected her to be there. Therefore, rumors started circulating that Alisha had had enough of portraying the character. That was understandable; the actress appeared in the flick “We’re All in This Together” in 2021 before landing the lead role of Helen in the “Devil in Ohio” horror movie in 2022.

Advertisement

Georgie returned two years later

Luckily, Georgie wasn’t written out of the show; she appeared unannounced in the 14th episode of the 16th season, “After the Ever After,” on 29 January 2023. She returned to Heartland Ranch, walking behind Phoenix, her horse. After meeting others, she explained that she had been on a ranch in Florida with Quinn, practicing showjumping for the Olympics.

However, she broke the bad news to them afterward; she quit showjumping, gave up on her dreams of competing, and was back home to decide what to do next.

With some convincing from her mother, she rode Phoenix and quickly saw how much the horse loved jumping, making her realize that she still finds joy in show-jumping, too. However, she refused to watch her old rival, Peyton Westfield, compete at the Winter Fair, suggesting she didn’t plan on competing.

The following day, Georgie admitted to Amy and Lyndy that Eleanor Hinchcliff emailed her an offer to relocate to Brussels, Belgium, to train with her. Eleanor was a world-class coach who helped riders get back into jumping after injuries or training gaps, making this an extraordinary opportunity.

Unfortunately, accepting the offer meant that Georgie would have to break up with Quinn, take him to Brussels, or maintain a long-distance relationship. After Quinn heard about it, she refused his marriage proposal, telling him that they didn’t need a ring to keep their love alive. Consequently, Georgie and Quinn decided to stay together but physically apart, ending the 16th season on a cliffhanger about the upcoming struggles.

Fans love her new personality and appearance

Although individual events invoked a full spectrum of feelings in her, Georgie’s story is ultimately one of change. She overcame her tragic childhood, constantly escaped foster families, and found family at Heartland Ranch while maintaining a tight-knit bond with her biological brother.

She also changed from a social outcast, tomboy-looking girl who never became attached, to a caring and loving young woman. She was also persistent about not pursuing ballet, something her adoptive mother wanted, and diving headfirst into horse-riding with Trouble, Phoenix and Checkers. She demonstrated her decisiveness again when she chose jumping instead of trick riding.

Georgie also showed a kind heart for other animals when she adopted a lost dog named Remi, who she rescued from a deep well. Her fashion sense also showed a personality and confidence shift. She went from wearing hand-me-down clothing from Lou and Amy and a professional ponytail, to sporting feminine clothing and letting her hair down.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrweuIpNZCN/

Georgie should come back for the 17th season

CBC hasn’t renewed the longest-running family drama in Canada for a 17th season, as of early May 2023. However, if they do, it would likely air in the fall of this year. Judging by the steady viewership and popularity, the chances of cancellation are slim to none. Moreover, the showrunners have evidently mapped out Georgie’s upcoming story in Brussels and Heartland Ranch, meaning that the actress cleared her schedule. Therefore, Georgie’s fans will almost certainly see her on-screen again, towards the end of the year.

Continue Reading

Lists

Who are the Richest Cast Members in “Gold Rush”? RANKED

Published

on

Gold Rush” is a reality television series that follows a group of miners as they search for gold in various locations around the world. The show is filled with drama, excitement, and a lot of hard work, as the cast members try to strike it rich. If you’re a fan of “Gold Rush” and can’t get enough of the madcap mining hi-jinks that ensue in the Klondike, you might be asking yourself just how rich these miners really are—especially the cast members. We’ve put together this ranked list so you can learn all about their net worths, and their sources.

What is “Gold Rush”? A brief history and summary

If you’ve never heard of “Gold Rush”, you may be wondering what it’s all about. This is a Discovery Channel reality TV series that launched in 2010, set in Alaska and the Klondike region of Canada. The show follows teams of miners who search for gold deposits during the summer mining season. In short, it’s a show about people who are trying to find their fortune in the gold mining industry, and many have become quite successful. The main cast of “Gold Rush” consists of current miner Parker Schnabel and former miner Tony Beets, along with a team of miners: Fred Dodge, Rick Ness, Jack Hoffman, and his son Todd Hoffman. Other people famous for appearing in the show include Dave Turin and John Schnabel (Parker’s grandfather). From veteran miners to newbies, and not-so-great luck to grand successes, let’s get started on our countdown of the wealthiest cast members from “Gold Rush”!

Advertisement
  1. Tony Beets: The Viking of Discovery’s “Gold Rush”

Tony Beets is a fan-favorite on the award-winning show, “Gold Rush”. He’s been dubbed the ‘Viking of Discovery’, and he certainly lives up to his name. Tony’s journey in the show began in 2011, in the 2nd season, although it has slowed down in recent years due to some health issues. Before joining the show, the Holland-born Canadian made a living milking cows, eventually venturing into mining. As a mine owner, Beets boasts an impressive list of accomplishments, earning him the title of the richest cast member on the show.

He has more than 30 years of experience in gold mining, which has allowed him to accumulate a massive fortune. Reports estimate that his net worth is around $15 million, as of 2023; he’s made his fortune from his two family-owned mines in the Yukon and he owns numerous dredges, heavy equipment used in gold mining operations, and even works in land development. Not only does he possess impressive wealth, but his leadership style sets him apart from other cast members on the show; he’s often seen encouraging and motivating his crew to achieve their goals, which has earned him admiration amongst fellow miners and fans alike.

When he’s not filming, the expert miner spends time on his family’s homestead, named Beets’ Island, located in the Klondike region of Yukon Territory, Canada. He’s an animal lover, regularly rescuing stray and endangered animals from all over the world.

  1. Parker Schnabel: The Young Gun From “Gold Rush”

Parker is the young gun , but has been part of the show since its first season, and has since grown to become one of the most successful miners on the show. At only 23 years old, he already runs a formidable mining outfit that yields impressive amounts of gold each year. In fact, he’s estimated to be worth an impressive $8 million today—not bad for someone so young! This successful miner credits his grandfather’s tutelage for his success, who initially recruited him onto the family business at age 16, with a focus on teaching him to prioritize safety and efficiency when managing his own mine sites.

His grandfather’s lessons have certainly paid off— Parker managed to strike huge deals with major mining companies such as Kinross Gold Corp, and even hit record hauls totalling over $3 million in a single season! From his mining activities with his grandfather at a very young age, he is now one of the most successful miners on the show. Today, you can find Parker in Porcupine Creek, Alaska, as he carries on his grandfather’s legacy and broadens his expertise

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj4LyUROaPF/

  1. Todd Hoffman: The Leader of Team Hoffman

Coming in at number three is Todd Hoffman, the leader of Team Hoffman. He may not have accumulated the most impressive net worth, but he certainly knows how to lead a team! It’s been estimated that Todd holds a net worth of $7 million–not bad for a gold miner! He started off as an aviation entrepreneur in Oregon, who had an idea of going find gold in Alaska. While recalling the mining trips his father took back in the ‘80s, he decided to follow in his footsteps. He initially invested his life savings of $250,000 into his first mining operation, the Quartz Creek Claim, took his crew up there, and had some success, but since then he’s run into various roadblocks both on and off the show.

The core of Team Hoffman lives on though, and Todd’s formed quite the “Gold Rush” family with his son Hunter, who is also currently working as part of the crew. He appeared in the show from the first season up to the eighth, having his fair share of successes, and amassing total earnings of $3 million from 2011 to 2013.  It’s no wonder that he was able to pull together such an excellent team—his leadership skills are undeniable! Since leaving the show, he’s become involved in a wide range of ventures, from his own line of merchandise and clothing, to even writing a book about his experiences on the show. The line features the 316 Mining logo, while his book is entitled “Gold Rush: The Game”

Advertisement
  1. John Schnabel: Grandpa of the Klondike

Number four on our list is the grandpa of the Klondike, John Schnabel, who when he passed away in 2016, had a net worth estimated at $7 million. John was born on 11 February 1920, and developed an incredible love for gold mining. In 2009, he was approached by Discovery Channel’s executive producers with an offer to feature him and his family in their new show; the first season debuted in December of 2010. In the show’s second season, he suffered a heart attack that became a storyline for that season, as he was well-respected by the cast and crew of “Gold Rush”, as well as his family.

As well as being a miner, John was also a farmer, and owned his own sawmill too. John was the old man on the hill who started Big Nugget Mine with his grandson, Parker Schnabel. He started off running an equipment shop in Alaska, and eventually took over several claims with the help of Parker. Over time he made numerous gold discoveries, and from 2012-2016 mined over 100 ounces of gold with Parker’s crew. He retired from the show in 2014 due to his declining health, but still appeared in the series from time to time, supporting his grandson, to whom before his unfortunate passing, he handed over Big Nugget Mine. John’s story is one of determination and hard work—a true testament to what can be accomplished when you keep going, no matter how tough things get. It’s clear that his legacy lasts on to this day.

  1. Jack Hoffman: The Assisting Hand of Team Hoffman

Out of all the cast members we’ve mentioned, the one who’s probably had the least screen time is Jack Hoffman. He’s been with Team Hoffman since the start, and an invaluable help to his son Todd, and to his team in their search for gold. Jack is regularly featured in “Gold Rush”, helping out during clean-up and providing general support. He even took a larger role in Season 4, when he needed to step in for Todd at the Super Pit Mine after a near-fatal accident in 2012. So how did Jack do financially, compared to everyone else? Jack receives 8% of all profits from each season, which amounts to quite a hefty sum! According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jack Hoffman’s net worth stands at $4 million, pretty impressive for an assisting hand!

Advertisement
  1. Dave Turin: The Dozer Dave From “Gold Rush”

When it comes to the richest cast members on “Gold Rush”, if you don’t follow the show too closely, you might not know about Dave Turin – he’s the guy who pops out from behind machines and shouts ‘Dozer Dave!’.  He has a degree in civil engineering, after which he went back home to run the family-owned rock quarry. He joined the Hoffman Mine in Season 2 as a bulldozer operator, his job beings to shift dirt around, to hopefully uncover gold. He started off as a miner at Big Nugget Mine in Season 2 and then eventually opened his own quarry — Dave Turin’s Lost Mine in Seasons 5-7. He stayed with team Hoffman until Season 6, when he set out to pursue his own venture at Oregon’s Quartz Creek Mine. He returned in Season 8, but soon left again to join Parker’s team—the youngest person ever to appear on the show.

When Parker moved the mining operations up north in Season 9, Dave returned home again. According to authoritative sources, Dozer Dave has an estimated net worth of $4 million; amongst his most impressive feats is as the ‘Gold King’ on the show after he managed to turn around a failing mine in record time, and walked away with huge profits. He’s now looking to expand his success, and buy even bigger properties to tackle larger projects, and continue expanding his wealth. After leaving the show, he started his own mining consultation firm until 2019, when he starred in the spin-off: “Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mines”. Fans can also find him on Instagram, on which he has an impressive following of 32,000 fans.

  1. Rick Ness

Ness joined the cast of “Gold Rush” in the show’s second season, which aired in 2011. He initially worked as a member of the Hoffman crew led by Todd Hoffman, before eventually striking out on his own as a mine boss. Over the years, Ness has become known for his strong work ethic, his ability to operate heavy machinery, and his tenacity in the face of challenges. Throughout his time on the show, Ness has faced numerous setbacks and obstacles, including the death of his mother, equipment breakdowns, natural disasters, and disputes with fellow miners. However, he’s also enjoyed many successes, including uncovering several lucrative gold deposits and achieving record-breaking gold yields.

Unlike his castmates, Rick didn’t start off in mining, in fact, he was an athlete for many years before suffering a serious injury, after which he became a musician. He released a number of albums with singles including, “Hard Road” and “Kindness is Contagious”, and while on tour with his band, happened to make a stop in Alaska, where he met Parker. Not long afterwards he received an invitation to work with Parker, and the rest is history.

Advertisement

Ness left the show in 2019, to start his own mining operation in the Yukon. He currently runs his own mining company, Rick Ness Mining, which focuses on exploring and developing gold mines in the area. Ness has also remained involved in the world of entertainment, continuing to make appearances on TV shows, sharing his life online and hosting his own podcast, “Nessie Knows”. As of 2023, he has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Summary

Out of the cast members on Discovery Channel’s “Gold Rush”, some have left the show, while others have stayed and made it big. As you’ve seen from this list, some of the cast members are earning hefty amounts with their gold mining ventures. Todd Hoffman was the initial lead of the show but has since left and moved on to other opportunities—having earned a huge sum during his time on the show. Currently, Tony Beets remains at the top with a net worth of $15 million while Rick Ness comes last at $3 million. From this comprehensive list, you can see that all seven men are doing quite well for themselves financially speaking—indicating that gold mining can be a great business. In addition to these wealth gains, viewers get treated to an entertaining, edge-of-your-seat kind of show; earning an increased viewership each month.

Conclusion

From Tony Beets’ impressive net worth to Rick Ness’ inspiring rags to riches story, the cast members of “Gold Rush” have certainly had their share of success, the majority of them in gold mining, what’s even more impressive is how much wealth they’ve amassed over the years, showing that hard work and dedication can pay off. It’s inspiring to see how much they have accomplished, and with continued focus and determination, continuing to build their fortunes. So, whether you’re a fan of the show or not, it’s worth learning a little something from the masters of gold mining. If these cast members have inspired you to start your own gold hunt, you can use their examples as a starting point for your journey!

Continue Reading

Lists

What happened to Rebecca Pritchard from “Salvage Hunters”? Where is she today?

Published

on

Rebecca Pritchard is a British antique dealer and restorer, who rose to fame as a cast member of the popular TV show “Salvage Hunters”, alongside her former husband Drew Pritchard. The show follows Drew and his team as they travel around the country searching for rare and valuable antiques to sell in their shop. In 2017, Drew and Rebecca divorced after Drew’s extramarital affair came to light. Still, their divorce didn’t prevent the two from maintaining a good relationship and continuing to be business partners in the show.

What is “Salvage Hunters” about?

The show features Drews expert skills in finding rare and interesting items, negotiating deals with sellers, and restoring these items to their former glory. Drew specializes in salvaging architectural antiques, such as fireplaces, doors, and stained-glass windows, but the team also looks for other unique items, including furniture, art, and anything collectible.

Each episode of Salvage Hunters typically features a specific location or theme, such as old churches, country estates, or abandoned factories, where Drew and his team scour for antiques that have a story to tell. The show sheds light on the backstories and historical significance of these items, which often sit abandoned and forgotten. Drew and his team highlight the restoration and renovation process, showcasing the craftsmanship and skill involved in turning old and worn-out items into stunning pieces of art.

Advertisement

The show also explores the world of interior design and decoration, as the team often incorporates the antiques they find into stylish and unique designs for their clients.

So far, “Salvage Hunters” has been on air for 17 seasons and over 200 episodes, and its popularity among fans has earned it a 7.8 star rating on IMDb.

“Salvage Hunters: has become popular among antique enthusiasts and history buffs, as it offers a unique insight into the vast world of antiques and restoration. It has also helped bring attention to the importance of preserving and repurposing old items, rather than discarding them as worthless.

Rebecca Pritchard’s career

Born in 1958, Rebecca Pritchard has become a widely respected name in the world of antiques and restauration. Her career kicked off in the field of women’s fashion in which she worked for twenty years. She mostly dealt with manufacturing, wholesale and retail of products in the UK and China, and it was in this period of her life when met Drew Pritchard, and her passion for antiques developed from their relationship. Aside from the fashion business, she was also involved with real estate development in North Wales, where she dealt with purchasing and selling residences.

Advertisement

Rebecca’s time on Salvage Hunters

Her first appearance on television screens came about in 2012, when she was cast as a co-presenter for “Salvage Hunters” with her now former husband Drew. Since then, she’s also been cast in the spin-off series “Salvage Hunters: The Restorers”, which is more closely focused on the restoration aspect of the show, and features numerous experts.

In the show, she demonstrates her brilliant skills as an antique master and restoration expert. Her keen attention to detail helps her pick out jewels from piles of rubbish she often encounteres strewn about.

While Drew has the difficult task of collecting antiques and negotiating with sellers on his travels around the country, Rebecca is responsible for their evaluation and restoration. With her vast knowledge of history, she’s often able to shed light on even the most mysterious items featured on the show. While restoring various antique items, Rebecca often uses creative and innovative methods to achieve the desired result, and her passion has made her a respected figure in the industry and in the show.

Rebecca’s marriage with Drew and their divorce

Rebecca and Drew had been married for over two decades before their marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 2017. They kept their married life private, but it’s rumored that they have several children together.

Advertisement

The reason for their divorce has been put down to Drew having an affair with another woman, revealed after a man named Thomas assaulted Drew in a pub, accusing him of having an affair with his wife. The incident resulted in Thomas being fined and banned from the pub, while Drew was also banned. As a result of the divorce, Drew has put the house in which he lived for 20 years up for sale.

Despite Drew’s affair and the divorce, Rebecca didn’t hold a grudge against him, and the two are on good terms. They still work together on the show as partners, and together they take care of their children.

Rebecca’s current relationship

After Rebecca divorced Drew, she decided to focus her attention on her television personality career, and has remained single, preferring to keep her personal life private and out of the spotlight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxrh-EunoWQ/

Rebecca’s net worth

Rebecca’s net worth has been estimated at $2.5 million, mostly resulting from her success on “Salvage Hunters”, as well as her accomplishments as a property owner.

Rebecca’s life today

Today, Rebecca is still a member of the “Salvage Hunters” cast alongside her ex-husband. She continues to delight the fans of the show with her insights and unique restoration methods.

Advertisement

Outside of her life on the show, Rebecca is a big horse-riding enthusiast, and a cook. She loves to go caravanning in nature, and also owns a boat.

She currently lives in London and has her own business as a Dealer, Researcher and Finder of Decorative Antiques. She works for private clients and interior designers who contact her to locate unique decorative items and various antiques. Through her wide network of dealers, restorers, and auctions, as well as her experience in the field, she is able to provide her clients with the best possible results.

Continue Reading

Recommended

Lists4 hours ago

What happened to Georgie on “Heartland”?

Georgie Fleming-Morris, played by Sally Bishop at a young age and Alisha Newton as a young adult, was one of...

Actors4 hours ago

Where is Dawn Lyn today? What is she doing now? Biography

Contents1 Where is Dawn Lyn today and what is she doing now? Wiki Bio2 Childhood and education3 Roles in movies4...

Celebrity Children5 hours ago

Sophia Rose Stallone – Who is Sylvester Stallone’s daughter?

Contents1 Who is Sophia Rose Stallone?2 The Net Worth of Sophia Rose Stallone3 Early Life4 Education and Career5 Father –...

Lists7 hours ago

Who are the Richest Cast Members in “Gold Rush”? RANKED

“Gold Rush” is a reality television series that follows a group of miners as they search for gold in various...

Web Stars8 hours ago

Who is Guga Foods? Wiki Bio, Real Name, Net Worth, Age

Contents1 What is Guga Foods’ real name?2 Early life and education3 Guga’s career4 Love life and relationships5 Hobbies and other...

Celebrity Spouses9 hours ago

Who is Ellie Kemper’s Husband Michael Koman?

Contents1 Who is Ellie Kemper’s husband? Michael Koman Wiki Bio2 Childhood and education3 Michael’s career4 Love life and marriage with...

Lists9 hours ago

What happened to Rebecca Pritchard from “Salvage Hunters”? Where is she today?

Rebecca Pritchard is a British antique dealer and restorer, who rose to fame as a cast member of the popular...

Lists11 hours ago

Shelby Lynn of “Street Outlaws” is seriously skilled

If you’re a fan of “Street Outlaws” on Discovery Channel, then you’ve definitely heard of Shelby Lynn. She’s the fastest...

Lists12 hours ago

Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Down Home Fab’?

Contents1 “Down Home Fab”2 Chelsea “Down Home Fab” Fans of the HGTV series “Down Home Fab” were thrilled to discover...

Lists13 hours ago

What happened to Tom Silva from ‘Ask This Old House’?

Tom Silva is a television personality probably best known as a member of the “This Old House” cast, a long-running...

Lists13 hours ago

What is Alex Debogorski doing now? The Ice Road Trucker

Alex Debogorski is a legendary Canadian ice truck driver, who rose to prominence after being featured in the History Channel’s...

Lists13 hours ago

Inside the World of the Legendary Classic Car Collector Wayne Carini

Wayne Carini is an America car restorer and television personality, probably best known as the presenter of “Chasing Classic Cars”...

Trending