The immigrant steamship SS Atlantic of the White Star Line, en route to Halifax, ran aground near Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia on April 1, 1873. Of the approximately 975 aboard, some 550 perished in the worst single-vessel marine disaster to occur off the Canadian coast prior to the sinking of the Titanic. Thanks to the efforts of fishermen from Lower Prospect, Upper Prospect and Terence Bay, more than 400 were saved.
The Mandate of the Society is to educate, promote, and preserve the stories of the SS Atlantic wreck and rescue; to collect, research, and interpret the marine/village life and culture in Terence Bay, Lower Prospect and Upper Prospect at the time of the SS Atlantic disaster.
The SS Atlantic Heritage Park Society is a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the memory of this dramatic event through research, safekeeping of artifacts and memorabilia, and education. The results of their efforts include the SS Atlantic Heritage Park and Interpretation Center, which is home to the museum and craft shop, the gravesite and monument, the ruins of the church of Rev William Ancient, who was prominent in the days following the rescue, and a park featuring a rustic walking trail and boardwalk, providing wonderful ocean views.
We invite you to come visit us in Sandy Cove, Terence Bay, Nova Scotia. We are only 30 minutes from Halifax. You can visit the Interpretation Centre, walk the boardwalk that wraps the coastline, rest in the gazebo, absorb the history of this event and explore the communities that were involved.
