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This Day In History, August 20th, 2020 – “The Atlantic”



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It was just 168 years ago today, August 20, 1852, when the sidewheel steamship Atlantic crashed into the propellered steamship Ogdensburg on Lake Erie. The Atlantic was a ferry boat carrying passengers from Buffalo, New York, to Detroit, Michigan. She was overloaded, in fact, today there is still not an accurate account of how many people perished in the waters. The Ogdensburg was travelling the other direction, carrying wheat from Ohio to New York.

This Day in History, history, American History

The ships collided in the fog, with the Atlantic having a hug gaping hole in it, and below the waterline. The Atlantic continued to sail, believing the damage was not bad, and so not bothering to warn the passengers who were crammed aboard everywhere on the ship. However, water gushed into the ship’s furnace, and soon, they were drifting. The Ogdensburg initially kept sailing as well, thinking that everything was fine with the Atlantic. When the captain of the Ogdensburg sailed back to help the Atlantic, they found nothing but chaos and death. The Atlantic was sinking, with only her stern still afloat, thanks to an air pocket. All around the wreckage debris was strewn about, and the cries of crew members and passengers alike were deafening. There were only three lifeboats, one of which capsized, and many people drowned. 168 years ago today, tragedy struck on the Great Lakes, leaving us a constant reminder to be safe and aware of all situations.


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