SS ATLANTIC Sinking - a Real-Time Historical Animation

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In the early hours of April 1st, 1873, the SS Atlantic was steaming toward Halifax in order to re-coal, after having diverted from its schedule route to Jersey City, USA. The ship is 12 miles off course and instead of sailing toward the harbor, Atlantic was heading straight for the rocky coast of Nova Scotia. The wreck of the Atlantic was the worst maritime disaster in the North Atlantic until 1898 and the worst disaster for the White Star Line until the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Around 550 were lost, including every woman and all but one or two children.
This video is meant to supplement my full documentary on the wreck of the Atlantic, so watch that if you have not already.
• The Terrifying Wreck o...
All animations in this video are property of HFX Studios and may not be used without written permission.
It's been a while since I posted a real-time sinking animation, but I've been sitting on a few in the past few months. Since working with Alex, these animations have really come to life and his work takes these projects to a new level.
I'm currently up in Halifax now and recently visited the SS Atlantic Heritage museum. When I got there, I saw they were playing my old 2018 Atlantic animation on loop, so I offered to put this remake together using our recent and heavily improved animations. That being said, this video is meant to work both in the context of my KZbin channel for the public and for visitors of the museum.
The historical research has been updated in this video, so this is even more accurate than it was. The visuals are obviously improved, but also the sound mixing.
I first directed a real-time sinking animation in 2016 (it was of the Titanic and for another KZbin channel) and for a while it was one of my go-to things to produce, so this has been an enjoyable throw back to a few years ago.

[@ChickVicious237]

The animation work on this is incredible, well done guys

[@pinball1970]

​@SuperNostalgia.Eh?

[@DeltaTenNZ]

@@pinball1970 Just another, of many, spamming religious dogma in the hopes of converting people to whatever sect/faith they represent. I uniformly report it as spam, as I find it tiresome. Plus I would argue it could be considered disrespectful to those who practice non-Christian based religions such as those of the Jewish or Muslim faiths (let alone those who are Agnostic or Atheist, or practice Paganism.)

[@pinball1970]

@@DeltaTenNZ Yes, very annoying. They should keep their superstitious nonsense to themselves.

[@chloehennessey6813]

@@DeltaTenNZWhy is it okay for you to post your dogma but not them?

[@DeltaTenNZ]

​@@chloehennessey6813 When they go about posting the same stuff ad nauseum in every other comment hoping that people will take them seriously, yeah nah. I'll just report all the posts as spam, as it IS the very definition of spam when you Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V the same comment over and over again.

[@Canukles]

The animation really illustrates how fast these ships can go down. In simple narration it's easy to think of ten minutes as plenty of time but here you can see how quickly the situation really deteriorates. Well done.

[@workonesabs]

yeah, the Lusitania was much bigger and only had one torpedo hit, but sank in 18 minutes..

[@patrickfreeman8257]

Yes, the animation also illustrates that, in the late 19th century, men could climb ladders without moving their legs at all.

[@ko7577]

10 minutes is just enough time to launch a single lifeboat. That's it. And remember there's no PA system in the late 1800s. You can't inform the entirety of the boat that it's sinking or get messages to people asleep in their cabins.

[@aninkytheorist1133]

@@workonesabs the most ironic thing about that is, Lusitania was doing exactly 18 knots when it happened, which is ironic considering it took her only 18 minutes to finally go under...

[@random_user_hmm]

Bro like SS atlantic sank For like 10 hours and 45 minutes.

[@Kae6502]

The first person perspective of Reverend Ancient climbing aboard to rescue those in the mast was amazingly well done, and equally terrifying. Thank you to everyone involved in this!

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

The Atlantic is now memorialized in a video format that gives people the perspective of what it was actually like to be there that fateful early morning. Thank you for preserving our maritime history in your videos.

[@aninkytheorist1133]

it feels like a lot of WSL vessels have been immortalised by youtube videos recently, it's heart-breaking to know that the only surviving WSL vessel is the rather small SS Nomadic, which happens to be of a somewhat similar size to SS Atlantic. heck, even SS Naronic has her own video, which kinda immortalises the very existance of the ship... but hey, there are still a number of ships that need this kind of special treatment of being immortalised by a youtube video...

[@TheEmeraldMenOfficial]

@@aninkytheorist1133Atlantic was much larger than Nomadic: they are similar in height (save Atlantic’s masts), but I’m pretty sure that Atlantic was both a little bit wider and much longer. Also, if we wanna split hairs, there are two original WSL lifeboats bouncing around if memory serves: one from Nomadic and one, IIRC, from Olympic. And if we REALLY want to split hairs, every Cunard ship post-1932 is/was technically a White Star Liner, as they were merged that year into Cunard-White Star. Modern-day Cunard still uses the WSL brand somewhat by referring to their luxury standards as the White Star Service, even though they dropped White Star from their name back in 1960 (following the retirement of the last pre-merger WSL ship, the MV Britannic).

[@AverageInternetEnjoyer..]

My great great great great grandfather was 2nd officer Metcalfe, I’m glad that you have made this video to better show the events that happened that day.

[@kittybitts567]

The quality of the videos put out by Part Time Explorer is second to none. I'm so grateful that I found this channel. The best!

[@filipdemski8303]

Absolutely incredible animation! Thank you, Tom!

[@corneliakashigawi5743]

I’ve been loving your videos, I can’t wait for in 100 or so years for a video like this to come out for the Costa Concordia

[@captainAlex258]

we just got to wait

[@TheKeeperMadz]

😂

[@crosseyedone7960]

Thank you for this representation, it makes the tragedy all the more real and personal. Those Islanders were very brave and must have worked tirelessly.

[@river9994]

Such a very sad and tragic moment in history, but once again you have all treated this with the most amazing respect and care. A true memorial for those who lost their lives. Thank you

[@hailcthulhu419]

Amazing work! I just discovered your channel in the wake of the Titan tradgedy and it has quickly become one of my favorites. The Atlantic is such a heartwrenching tradgedy. All those people perishing so close to the shore, so close to salvation. The fact that it could have been prevented, were it not for the supreme arrogance of one young man is profoundly upsetting. Metcalf got a more meciful fate than he deserved in my opinion.

[@hannahp1108]

These real-time animations are phenomenal at really helping you understand what their experience was like. It would've been so so so so so horrifying

[@thomassecurename3152]

The highest praise to HFX Studio on a quality presentation of the tragedy of the Atlantic shipwreck. And without narration. Musical accompaniment selection the finest. Had a real sense of witnessing events. Heroic feats in incredible losses. Very grateful for your efforts HFX and Tom L. 💙

[@babalonkie]

Just boggles the mind how a vessel can be 12 miles off course in the late 1800's without even knowing. Negligence on so many levels. Full speed with zero visibility. Lack of compass monitoring. Lack of plot timing. Lack of awareness when things were obviously wrong. Failure to wake captain as ordered. No experience. Terrible evacuation procedures. Failure of rank and discipline from the very start... it just goes on... makes my blood boil. Preventable loss of lives.

[@Feedmagoo92]

The fact the only reason they're there is because the Chief Engineer lied about the remaining coal reserves makes it all the more tragic.

[@maizie9454]

and lack of brains.

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

Very well done, Tom and Team! Seeing the sinking in real time makes it so much more real - and sad.

[@zlevelx]

What a horrific way to die, we all gotta go one day but this aint it. The visuals, animation, sound and text are all on point!

[@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372]

Wow! Your other video on the "Atlantic" was great but watching this really made it home. It's like I could even feel the coldness in the air. I can't imagine the hours this took to put together. Just a fantastic job as always. Thank you

[@Shipnerd194]

Looking forward to more like this, brilliant!!

[@susanavenir]

Beautiful work, down to the subtleties of the soundtrack's thrumming of the engine that phases out when we're "on" land and when the engines, at last, stop. Heartbreaking to see, of course, and the real time presentation shows how quickly the disaster progressed. That the daring islanders were able to save anyone is remarkable. Thank you so much for this.

[@anna-lisagirling7424]

This particular maritime disaster has made me feel physically ill from the first time I read about it, then watched your historical video account of the cascade of stubbornness, arrogance, incompetence and hubris that led to the situation the Atlantic found itself in and now this brilliant followup video. This time around the use of the low light in those wee hours of the morning, the sounds of the relentless crashing of waves and the adept way the soundscape made me feel the swells and the cold and that nauseating transition from a blustery night at sea to the inexorable doom that could not be denied--was brilliantly done! The music was also so hauntingly tragic and yet managed to bring me to experience what someone writing an account of a horrific battle during WWI termed, "A terrible beauty". Once again, Mother Nature triumphed over Man's frail limitations. I can't wait to watch this again after I've had a day or two to process this marvelous video. Whenevr I notice something new has arrived from you guys I know I can become submerged in an accurate telling of the historic fates of these fantastic ships without fear of learning later that you all just faked it and served up some sloppy noise like 70% of internet content. I trust you all so much and feel privileged to become one of ypur loyal followers. What a treat.

[@det.caribou7405]

Oooo this was a rough one.

[@MrZadokthePriest]

Appreciate the professionalism and attention to detail of these animations. Adds to the poignancy of watching the tragedy unfold. Well done, Tom!

[@KimtheElder]

Thank you for not allowing them to be forgotten.

[@TCobra190]

Stunning, thank you and the team for putting such a powerful picture to this tragedy.

[@Eugene_Nesmeyanov]

Amazingly realistic, heart-rending and extremely well done! Thumbs up and Kudos to Tom and everyone involved in this project! 👍

[@thelatemickb6927]

Tragic tale, excellent animation.

[@ameliaflowers9836]

Love this channel ❤️Thank You for your work.

[@ScarletRebel96]

These graphics are amazing!

[@lauragranger9813]

Words are wholly insufficient to express how utterly tragic this was. Watching through my tears. Poor wretched souls. I feel somehow proud of the rescuers to exert themselves so fully for their fellow humans in distress. It is right they are all remembered. Though only one reverend amongst them, they are all revered for what they did this night. Thankyou for putting this together and making it available. A job well done not just all the time researching and making a video of such quality, but also all your efforts to ensure their memory is not lost to history. Thankyou. ​​

[@lauragranger9813]

I now want to research the Bourgogne which I have not until now even heard of.

[@stanleystudios5186]

Incredible perspectives. Thank you for this.

[@Afton_Robotics_1987]

Dang. This is amazing! Just watched 2 of ur bids And I love them! Great work mate.

[@Vigortic]

Another amazing video, really puts my faith into humanity, helping those in need like that.

[@TheREALLibertyOrDeath]

Why a 26 year old was left in charge of that boat is unbelievable

[@andreasfalk5221]

I check your channel everyday for new videos, so today was a good day🙂 you have a way of telling the stories that realy makes me listen and pay attention..even with just animation like this. had a history-teacher with the same qualities at school, when he was speaking was the only time a week my class where silent 😊

[@GloriousSEAGRUB]

love your videos!

[@BlairAir]

This is indeed the best yet. The story, the loss of the women and children may heve been a factor in Titanics Captain Smith's orders years later to not have the tragic outcome of Atlantic's sinking.

[@SudrianTales]

There's another wreck thwts the most likely culprit. La Bourgogone A shipwreck so awful that Arctic is shuddering in shame at this

[@BlairAir]

@@SudrianTales Indeed tragic! My point was that they were both White Star Lines

[@chrischeezy7316]

Good work.

[@Soprano91396]

Wow. This is one of the most incredible and beautiful animations I have ever seen. The music you chose is perfect for the event -- gave me chills to watch and imagine what it must have been like for the passengers and crew. Thank you for an amazing work!

[@121omePiet]

It looks so real that I even felt the panic and sadness for a moment.

[@connorredshaw7994]

This animation looks so good it's heartbreaking to know that no women survived the disaster and only one child made it May all those who perished on the S.S. Atlantic rest in peace.

[@Darkobserver0]

Never ceases to impress! Some of the best content on KZbin by far!

[@jos3ph.d]

Great work!

[@hi-vz4un]

Great Animation.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

This revised version give so much more of a view as to what happened that night/morning, though I still love the original real time and documentary just as much :)

[@alison155]

No idea why this popped up.. really enjoyed it.. when time this afternoon i will binge on others. Thank you.

[@mrthewubbie]

Man, I didn't realize how fast that island mobilized to help. Really amazing.

[@jetsons101]

Hats off, what a stunning watch. I could almost feel the cold salt spray in my face.

[@pinkvivi9345]

Absolutely harrowing. Your videos give me chills

[@explorationandhistorywithethan]

It always gets to me when I hear the "2 babies born on board" and then the 14 year old boy who would be the only child survivor. Both babies and their mothers never made it out really does bother me in whole.

[@chnndships]

Wow, how realistic, I really like it

[@jordans.1042]

Glad to see you back. I always love your videos. What this video shows is how terrifying things can go from bad to worse on a ship.

[@LauraLariviereMoeller-fl7ek]

The hours and hours that go into your videos is awe inspiring. The choice of music was perfect. The animation phenomenal wow

[@apancher]

Absolutely incredible!

[@catdog7497]

i’ve always loved (bitter word for it) this story since the first time you told it to us years ago in the previous animation. And now, i will never forget it, thanks to you again. wonderful wonderful job.

[@jamesstoops2378]

Incredible graphics. So real. The Vaughan Williams Thomas Tallis bit was perfect. Thank You.

[@charlescraig2171]

SO GOOD! Once again Part-Time Explorer never fails to impress! Thank you!

[@bluebirdnut]

This is brilliant work! Kudos to Tom and the team. Your channel just keeps getting better and better. I was blown away by the realism of the animation and attention to detail in the research.

[@dannyfowler9755]

Have only just discovered you and the amazing job that you do in telling these stories of tragedy and heroism. Making sure that the facts are correct and ensuring that the memories aren't forgotten. Well done to you, Emma, your little one and the team =^.^=

[@DieUnstillbareGier]

An amazingly done video, Part-Time Explorer. Just amazing. You bring forgotten history back to life again.

[@yoptastic8463]

Wow! These recreation tributes to the Atlantic just get better and better. Titanic and the Empress aside it's my favourite maritime disaster and have watched your previous videos on it many times. The graphics are just utterly amazing, go Alex, and even though I like hearing and seeing you Tom, I enjoyed reading it as an unfolding story with the time present to. I think the music choice is spot on and the realistic sound effects of the sea crashing, people crying out and the ship taking a battering all add to the atmosphere of this tragic but rescuing plight. Well done to all the rescuers and remembrance to all that were lost and an A1 ship, thank you so much for this Tom and the team - better than TV!! 👍😊😊📺🌊🚢⚓

[@joebutchko2223]

Everything you do is just so well done.

[@Scraggledust]

Love it! New and so glad to find such a great channel! Informative and entertaining🎉

[@dragnflei]

What an absolute nightmare. And in pitch black conditions. This is extremely well done.

[@patigirl2470]

I was mesmerized by this re-enactment. Unbelievably splendid job ❤ This story tugs at my heart more than any other. Thank you Tom & all involved 😎

[@twood51]

This is such a sad tragedy, the awesome animation makes it feel so personal.

[@HFBmarine]

Incredible work,as always Tom!!

[@doobat708]

Really stunning work, very atmospheric and informative.

[@djr1943]

Amazing recreation of the sinking of the Atlantic. Thank you!

[@TheMaritimeproductions]

It amazing That She Was More Damaged Then The Titanic But Sank Slower. Fascinating.

[@SutekhTheDestroyer]

I have had thalassophobia for as long as I can remember, and a I cannot imagine a more horrifying scenario than this. Imagine your last moments being of pure terror, knowing that you’re going to die.

[@JoeRyMi]

Always so hyped to see these in my notifications. Thank you! But all due respect to the victims. Not one of the ways anyone would choose to go out.

[@veronicavatter6436]

These videos are amazing! Hard to believe how fast she went down

[@Massivecarcrash]

This is some professional grade production that History Channel would have paid big bucks to have in their documentaries back when they still did history.

[@Kevin-jn4bb]

Dude, just came across your channel... GREAT JOB on these videos!!!!!!!

[@GrumpyMeow-Meow]

Tom, just when I think you can’t top yourself, you do. Wow. Well done Tom and team!

[@MasterK18]

Will u also do a Video about the SS LA Bourgogne? Fantastic Video

[@iagrams9100]

Very well done. The text instead of spoken descriptions makes this even more intense.

[@xMilkManDanx]

Incredible. Heart wrenching music and excellent animation. Well done.

[@petermercury]

Outstanding work guys!

[@susiepittman601]

This is really well done. Thank you.

[@80evgeniy]

The gorgeous late-XIX century spardeck-type iron hull ocean liner with auxiliary barkentine rig sails. My favourites is a French Line sisterships La Bourgogne, La Gascoigne, La Shampagne and La Bretagne.

[@pTryceorl]

High quality, beautiful, and informative

[@peterkropotkin6224]

I was hoping you'd do this. Thank you!

[@mnhoss2100]

Great video as always sir

[@jackmarrowmapping1176]

Vivid and incredible in detail! In the future, I’d like to see a shot of the propeller actually shearing off on the rock.

[@died4us590]

Great job again, such a good job with the animation, and the water looked the best on this reconstruction. I don't mean to complain, but i had a difficult time reading the script on the bottom of the screen. I know that most people watch utube from a phone, or tablet, and it makes it quite hard to read. I don't know if another color would be easier to read, but i would be happy if you just narrated those parts, because it brings that sense of life, and humanity to the sinking, whether anyone were to die, or all were to survive. I appreciate the time and effort not to just make a video, but the many hour's it takes to create these ship's, with such detail. G-d bless, the best is yet to come.

[@christophermaccool8029]

I never get tired of watching this how epic it must have been.

[@elainejones5109]

We watched some of this at the SS Atlantic museum. Excellent work!

[@riverbender9898]

Compelling tale. Masterful animation. Thank you.

[@kentmolberg3717]

Incredible work..... more like this please.

[@fibergran9]

It looks a lot better than the previous animations, great work!

[@RoamIfIWantTo]

Thank you for creating such a wonderfully informative channel! The “Golden Era” of the great ocean liners is one of my favorite history subjects as the old ocean liners have a whimsy and charm and sense of elegance and class that is completely absent in the modern world’s gaudily over-conflated cruise ships. It would be truly great to experience a revival of the ships of yesteryear. Thank you for making a truly fascinating era of history and the elegance of these ships and their stories come alive once again!🙌

[@mattwilliams3456]

Hauntingly beautiful animation and sound design.

[@finnmcginn9931]

Brilliant channel, good on ya.

[@tangie777uk]

Amazing video, very sad .RIP to those lost

[@norbeaster784]

This is the first time I am seeing this as a Nova Scotian, amazingly well done!

[@rumrstv]

Fantastically haunting and terrifying! Thanks!

[@wendywhite4537]

Awesome video! Fantastic animation! Thank you

[@andreweden9405]

The Vaughan-Williams Fatasia on a Theme by Tallis was a beautifully, tragic selection as the music for this! If you ever cover the sinking of the Mary Rose, I would recommend using the music of Thomas Tallis himself!😁

[@banana_junior_9000]

I miss your glorious narration.