Mariners-L Archives

From: Ted Finch.< >
Subject: Re: [Mar] S.S ATLANTIC
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 13:16:53 +0100

Jean-Pierre,

The ATLANTIC was a 3,707 gross ton ship, length 420ft x beam 40.9ft, one
funnel, four masts (rigged for sails), iron construction, single screw and a
speed of 14 knots. There was accommodation for 166-1st and 1,000-3rd class
passengers.
Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast (engines by G. Forrester & Co, Liverpool),
she was launched on 1st Dec.1870 for the White Star Line. On 8th Jun.1871
she left Liverpool on her maiden voyage to Queenstown (Cobh) and New York.
Her last voyage started on 20th Mar.1873 when she left Liverpool for New
York. She encountered such bad weather that she ran short of coal and the
master decided to make for Halifax, being the nearest port. However, she ran
onto the rocks outside that port in appalling weather, the after part of the
ship sinking almost immediately, leaving only the bows and part of the
rigging above water. Altogether 585 lives were lost out of a total of 1,038
passengers and crew. Had not the bosun heroically swum ashore through the
raging surf, carrying a lifeline, it is doubtful whether there would have
been any survivors.[North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.2,pps.734-5,
755-6]

regards
Ted


At 21:32 30/09/99 -0400, Jean-Pierre Charest wrote:
>Does anyone know of the passenger ship S.S. ATLANTIC which was wrecked
probably before WW1 between Halifax and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. More than 600
passengers were lost at that time. Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Jean-Pierre Charest, Québec.
>

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