Daily Event for August 20, 2005

August 20, 1852: The Atlantic, a sidewheel steamer collided with the steamer Ogdensburg off Long Point on Lake Erie. The Atlantic was carrying between 500 and 600 passengers and crew. Most of the passengers were immigrants and they panicked, jumping into the lake to escape the sinking ship. The crew was unable to maintain order during the evacuation and this resulted in the deaths of about 300 of those on board. The Ogdensburg managed to rescue 250 people who were gathered on the stern of the Atlantic.
© 2005 Michael W. Pocock
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