Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Podcast
Tales of mishaps. misfortune, and misadventures
Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

The Final Voyage of SS Atlantic

Special guest: Maritime Historian, Kirby Ross. You can follow Kirby on Instagram @themaritimehistorian, or at themaritimehistorian.com.

The SS Atlantic was built in 1870 by Thomas Ismay’s White Star Line, and was one of six Oceanic-class passenger liners. On its 19th transatlantic crossing, she experienced a rough storm which slowed her speed and burned coal. Fearing the ship did not have enough coal to reach New York, he diverted the ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia to resupply.

The Atlantic steamed north to Halifax, with 2nd Officer Henry Metcalfe in command. Ordered to call the captain at 3:00 AM or when the Sambro Light was spotted. On April 1st 1873 at 3:14 AM, the Atlantic ran into the coast of Nova Scotia at full speed. The Atlantic came to rest with its bow stuck firm on a rock, and the ship being battered by waves.

Over the next few hours, the passengers and crew fought a desperate battle for survival, and the local citizens of Lower Prospect, Terence Bay, and Upper Prospect selflessly risked everything to rescue hundreds of men. Sadly, approximately 550 people perished, including all the women, and all but one child.

The SS Atlantic was the worst civilian transatlantic maritime disaster until 1898, and the worst White Star Line disaster until the RMS Titanic in 1912.

A map of the area around the wreck site.
The communities of Lower Prospect, Terence Bay, and Upper Prospect risked their lives to rescue survivors from the water.
A depiction of a ship's captain wearing a uniform.
Captain James Williams was found to be negligent, and he received much of the blame for the disaster.
A well dressed man in a long coat and holding a top hat.
Thomas Ismay bought the White Star Line in 1868.
Portrait of Cornelius Brady.
Third Officer Cornelius Brady was instrumental during the rescue efforts.
A White Star Line sailor wearing a cap and sweatshirt.
Quartermaster John Speakman was the first to attack a rope line from the ship to the nearby rock.
A woman holding a small child.
Sarah Jane O’Reilly provided care and comfort for countless victims of the SS Atlantic disaster.
A depiction of Sarah Jane O'Reilly and Michael Clancy providing aid to the wreck survivors. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper.
A depiction of Sarah Jane O’Reilly and Michael Clancy providing aid to the wreck survivors. From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.
Depiction of crewmen on the rock, pulling survivors up with the rope line. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper.
Depiction of crewmen on the rock, pulling survivors up with the rope line. From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.
A fisherman staring down at a dead woman on the shore.
The local fisherman from Lower Prospect and surrounding areas found bodies for weeks after the wreck.
Remnants of a sunken ship, with people and a boat nearby.
Divers, curious onlookers and scavengers visited the wreck site in the days following the sinking of the Atlantic. The broken bow of the ship can be seen at center-right, and the stern at center-left.
This monument is in Terence Bay, at the site of the mass grave at Reverend Ancient’s former church.
A small white building on a grassy knoll overlooking the ocean.
The SS Atlantic Heritage Park and Interpretation Centre in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia.

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