The Terrible Disaster of the SS ARCTIC (1854)
Part-Time Explorer・30 minutes read
The Arctic, a renowned clipper ship with luxurious accommodations, faced a tragic sinking in 1854 due to a collision, mutiny, and lack of lifeboats, resulting in significant loss of life and chaos among passengers and crew. Survivors faced further challenges after the disaster, and Captain Loose shouldered blame for leaving a crew member behind during the evacuation, with the incident highlighting the dangers of excessive speed policies and the need for adequate safety measures on board ships.
Insights
- The Arctic, a renowned clipper ship, faced multiple incidents including collisions and engine strain, highlighting the dangers of political pressure to maintain full speed, ultimately leading to its tragic sinking.
- Despite heroic actions by some crew members during the Arctic's sinking, chaos ensued as crew members prioritized personal survival over following orders, resulting in a mutiny and tragic loss of life, showcasing the breakdown of authority and discipline in the face of disaster.
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Recent questions
What was the Arctic ship known for?
Lavish first-class saloons.
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Summary
00:00
Tragedy of the Arctic Ship Sinking
- The Arctic, a ship built for the Collins Line, was launched in January 1850 and quickly gained a reputation as a fast clipper ship.
- The Collins Line faced challenges due to political pressure to always steam at full speed, putting their ships at risk.
- The Arctic faced multiple incidents, including grounding in 1853 and engine strain in 1854.
- The Arctic was a wooden paddle steamer with first and second-class accommodations, known for its lavish first-class saloons.
- On September 20th, 1854, the Arctic departed Liverpool with notable passengers, including families of important figures in the Collins Line.
- The Arctic carried 233 passengers and 175 crew members, totaling 408 individuals on board.
- A collision occurred on September 27th, 1854, with the French fishing steamer Vesta, leading to significant damage to the Arctic.
- Efforts were made to save both ships, with lifeboats launched from the Arctic to assist the sinking Vesta.
- Despite attempts to plug holes and pump water out, the Arctic continued to sink, lacking enough lifeboats for all on board.
- Passengers and crew worked tirelessly to pump water out and mitigate the sinking, with the ship slowly succumbing to the damage.
15:53
Tragedy and Chaos: Ship Sinking Survival
- The ship's engines lost power as it sank, affecting its ability to move forward.
- Lifeboats were loaded starting with the aft starboard boat, prioritizing women and children.
- Despite orders to launch all lifeboats together, a mutiny occurred, leading to the abandonment of one lifeboat.
- Crew members became self-centered, focusing on personal survival over following the captain's orders.
- A lifeboat loaded with women and children tragically capsized, resulting in the loss of all onboard.
- The ship's steam pumps failed, allowing the sea to fill the vessel rapidly.
- A raft was constructed from ship parts as a final means of escape, with three distinct groups forming among the remaining passengers.
- As the ship sank, heroic actions were taken by some crew members, including defending lifeboats and firing signal cannons.
- The ship's final moments saw chaos and tragedy, with passengers resorting to violence and vices.
- After the ship sank, survivors faced further challenges, including shark attacks and harsh weather conditions.
31:44
"Arctic Sinking: Captain's Guilt and Forgotten Ship"
- News of the disaster involving the sinking of the Arctic reached the United States on October 10th, two weeks after the event, confirming the rumors. Survivors, including Captain Loose, revealed details of the sinking, with some condemning Loose for his actions during the evacuation.
- Captain Loose blamed himself for abandoning Chief Officer Gourley, who was left behind during the evacuation. Loose never returned to the sea, and no formal inquiry was conducted, possibly due to political reasons related to excessive speed policies.
- Following the tragedy, Cunard responded by organizing a parade in New York City to showcase the safety of their lifeboats. The Arctic's wreckage was never found, and the ship was not memorialized, fading into history along with the era of forgotten ships and lost stories.
