With so much ocean surrounding them, Halifax and Nova Scotia have experienced many shipwrecks over the years. In fact, there are so many shipwrecks nearby that we have a whole database of them in a museum. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, which you should completely check out since it’s got a ton of fascinating stuff, has a database of 5,000 shipwrecks online that you can browse, along with 250 wreck photographs. However, given that you probably don’t have the time to read about tens of thousands of sunk ships, Discover Halifax has compiled a selection of some of the most fascinating tales of ancient shipwrecks in and around the Halifax area.
The SS Atlantic
Some believe that the SS Atlantic’s sinking isn’t as well-known as it ought to be. Before the Titanic sank in 1912, it was the worst single-vessel shipwreck to ever occur in Canadian waters. The SS Atlantic, a transatlantic ocean liner that employed both sail and steam for propulsion like the Titanic, was one of the nicest passenger ships of its time.
The SS Atlantic struck rocks on its entrance into Halifax Harbour at Marrs Head near Lower Prospect in the early hours of April 1, 1873, while on its 19th voyage. While more than 562 passengers and staff tragically perished in this accident, more than 400 passengers were saved because to the efforts of fishermen from Lower Prospect, Upper Prospect, and Terence Bay. At the SS Atlantic Interpretation Centre and Heritage Park in Terence Bay, which is located on the road leading to Peggy’s Cove, you may find out more information about this important shipwreck that occurred close to the actual site.
The Mysterious Copper-Clad Schooner
Researchers have been puzzled by a shipwreck that lies at the bottom of Halifax Harbour for years. Nobody knew the ship’s origins or even its name when it was found in 2002.
There are no records of the schooner sinking, despite the fact that it would have been quite expensive to build because it is clad in copper and brass. Researchers questioned whether the British Royal Navy or a wealthy family may have possessed this yacht due to its high value.
Some speculate that the ship may have sunk during the Halifax Explosion, a massive blast that occurred in 1917 after two ships collided in the harbor and destroyed the majority of the city. The St. Bernard and the Lola R, both of which perished in the Halifax Explosion, were the only two ships that could have been involved when experts revisited the clues in 2017. It has been a mystery ever since since no one could agree that there was sufficient evidence to make a definitive claim.
The Salerno
The British steamship Salerno was sunk on July 1, 1905, in the Litchfield Shoals near Herring Cove in Halifax. On its way to Halifax, the ship was transporting salt from Cadiz, Spain. This shipwreck is one of only a few in Nova Scotia that you may still investigate, which is what makes it so fascinating!
For a guided tour to visit the Salerno where she still rests on the ocean below, anyone with a scuba diving license can make reservations. Pretty cool!
The Graveyard of the Atlantic
A little sandbar island called Sable Island is 300 kilometers off the coast of Nova Scotia. Due to the numerous ships that have sunk or been abandoned there throughout the years, the island has acquired the moniker, Graveyard of the Atlantic. This, according to them, is due to the island being “hidden by waves, storms, and fog.” More than 350 shipwrecks have been documented on Sable Island since 1583, but there isn’t much to show for it today because the majority of the wreckage has been swept away.
Sable Island is currently renowned for its stunning wild horses and sizable colony of grey seals, which is a more favorable development.
More to this story at https://discoverhalifaxns.com/historic-halifax-shipwrecks/
Reference:
https://discoverhalifaxns.com/
Photo credits to:
https://novascotia.ca/museum/wrecks/gallery
