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SS Atlantic: The White Star Line's First Disaster at Sea
It's a cold April night on the high seas. A ship steams quickly towards port. Aboard are wealthy passengers enjoying their luxurious accommodations. In the holds below, steerage passengers sit in crowded berths, excited about starting a new life in a new world. In the bridge above, the Captain retires for the evening. The lookouts think they see something ahead. Too late, they warn the bridge . . .
This was the fate of the S.S. "Atlantic," the second ship built by the White Star Line for its new fleet. Built forty-two years before the RMS "Titanic," the "Atlantic" had successfully completed eighteen crossings before it ran aground off the coast of Nova Scotia on April 1, 1873, killing 562 of the 952 onboard. It was the worst trans-Atlantic marine disaster of the 19th century, yet, until now, the full story has never been told.
This was the fate of the S.S. "Atlantic," the second ship built by the White Star Line for its new fleet. Built forty-two years before the RMS "Titanic," the "Atlantic" had successfully completed eighteen crossings before it ran aground off the coast of Nova Scotia on April 1, 1873, killing 562 of the 952 onboard. It was the worst trans-Atlantic marine disaster of the 19th century, yet, until now, the full story has never been told.
174 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2009
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 3, 2021
I'm somehow fascinated by stories of shipwrecks and the SS Atlantic is indeed one of the most harrowing yet not very well known one.
She was one of the finest ships of the 19th century, a White Star Line flagship which found her final fate on 1 April 1873 as she ran around and sank on the coast of Nova Scotia.
The passenger did not have much of a chance of escape. Only the most abled-body would manage to survive the chaotic sinking in the stormy shore of Nova Scotia.
No women and children were saved but one.
This is probably the most disturbing fact of the tragedy.
SS Atlantic was somewhat overshadowed by another maritime disaster that would happen 42 years later - RMS Titanic
She was one of the finest ships of the 19th century, a White Star Line flagship which found her final fate on 1 April 1873 as she ran around and sank on the coast of Nova Scotia.
The passenger did not have much of a chance of escape. Only the most abled-body would manage to survive the chaotic sinking in the stormy shore of Nova Scotia.
No women and children were saved but one.
This is probably the most disturbing fact of the tragedy.
SS Atlantic was somewhat overshadowed by another maritime disaster that would happen 42 years later - RMS Titanic
August 27, 2020
The wreck of the SS Atlantic is a tragic event that is brought to life with Greg Cochkanoff and Bob Chaulk's "SS Atlantic: The White Star Line's First Disaster at Sea". The book describes the events leading up to the forgotten wreck and then brings to life the 6 horrific hours of the rescue. The book also describes the aftermath of the wreck and the impact it had on the local communities, the officers of the ship and the White Star Line.
A great read for anyone interested in the White Star Line and nautical disasters in the 19th century.
A great read for anyone interested in the White Star Line and nautical disasters in the 19th century.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews