Atlantic's Last Stop

by Bob Chaulk

The long-awaited, definitive, shocking history of SS Atlantic, the worst shipwreck in Nova Scotia’s history, authored by the vessel’s recognized authority.

In the pre-dawn hours of April 1, 1873 – as the lookouts looked, the steersman steered, and the captain slept – something was happening to the SS Atlantic. The tide had quietly carried the White Star Line ocean liner twelve miles off course, and land was closer than anybody realized? or was willing to believe.
The wreck of the SS Atlantic would become the worst transatlantic passenger ship disaster before Titanic, and although it happened almost 150 years ago, there are still many unanswered questions.
That is changing.
Ten years after co-authoring the most celebrated book to date on Nova Scotia’s worst shipwreck, author Bob Chaulk has uncovered never-reported information that answers the question historians have been grappling with for over a century: why a state-of-the-art steamship, with all equipment in perfect working order, in good weather, and commanded by officers of the world’s leading seafaring nation, ended up striking rock outside Halifax and sinking, resulting in some 550 deaths.
Over a five-year period, Chaulk tracked down many descendants of those on the scene and aboard the ship, patiently piecing their stories together to reveal a shocking conclusion.
This richly illustrated work, featuring maps and colour photos, includes many firsthand accounts from passengers, crew, officers, and local rescue people

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Paganus Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Largely illiterate, my Upper Prospect ancestors did not leave any written records beyond Wills, Deeds, Marriages Certificates, etc. For a brief moment they emerged during the Atlantic disaster as real living breathing human beings. Poor, but brave. Common people, but exceptional at the same time. I am happy they were there; and thousands of people living today whose ancestors were saved by them, are probably equally grateful.

I found this book about the Atlantic to be more thoughtful and fair.

I great read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disaster books have always appealed to me and this one was very good. I read the book after watching a YouTube video about the wreck. I had never heard of the shipwreck before, and the author goes into why people don’t know about this.

The Atlantic was a huge wooden steamship and bottomed out on a rock during the night on 4/1/1873. Over 500 people died, and it was a nightmare for everyone on the ship. Mr. Chaulk goes into lots of details about the wreck, including all the after-wreck ramifications of a large shipwreck that happened near land. I recommend this book.

[Becki D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough, well researched retelling of a long forgotten shipwreck. I appreciated the use of pictures and sidebar. What a terrible tragedy and mess of aWhat a terrible tragedy and too many injustices after the recuse. Highly recommend reading this piece of Canadian history that deserves to be remembered.

[David Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. An informative look into one of the lesser known Atlantic wrecks. I especially liked Chapter 24 as it really developed a better understanding of the very rudimentary tools for navigation in the late 19th century.

[Wesley Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at an often overlooked maritime disaster and its effects. Highly recommend to those interested in maritime history.