The Titanic was the most notorious maritime disaster in the 20th century. However, it was not the only tragic shipwreck to end up shocking the masses. Over the 1900s, numerous other massive ocean liners, cargo ships, and also passenger vessels ended up suffering similar ends. From the strange disappearance of of the SS Waratah to the terrible explosion of the SS Mont-Blanc that would end up leveling an entire city, these kinds of disasters serve as grave reminders that there are all kinds of dangers lurking out there on the high seas. We’ll now take a look at some of the most notable, tragic shipwrecks of the 1900s.
1. RMS Empress of Ireland (1914)
This Canadian ocean liner ended up sinking in the St. Lawrence River following its collision with the Norwegian collier Storstad in a uniquely heavy fog. The ship went down in a matter of 14 minutes, killing 1,012 people and immediately making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.
2. HMHS Britannic (1916)
The Titanic’s sister ship, the Britannic, was repurposed to serve as a hospital ship during World War I. It ended up colliding with a mine in the Aegean Sea, and then sank rapidly. Even though most of those onboard thankfully survived, 30 people died. The actual speed of the sinking continues to elude historians.
3. USS Edmund Fitzgerald (1975)
This huge ore carrier sank amidst a terrible storm out on Lake Superior, and then took all 29 of its crew members with it. The actual cause of the sinking is still fiercely debated, and theories surrounding it range from rogue waves to structural failure.
4. Lusitania (1915)
A German U-boat ended up torpedoing this British passenger liner. It led to a daunting 1,198 deaths and also pushed the U.S. that much closer to entering World War I.
5. Halifax Explosion (1917)
The SS Mont-Blanc carried explosive cargo, and ended up colliding with another vessel out in Halifax Harbor. This triggered a huge explosion that ended up killing around 2,000 people and also leveling much of the city.
6. SS Princess Sophia (1918)
This massive Canadian passenger ship ended up running aground in Alaska’s Lynn Canal. Even though there were mounting hopes for rescue, a storm ended up wreaking havoc on the ship, and drowning all 343 souls that were onboard.
7. RMS Republic (1909)
The RMS Republic was a luxury ocean liner that ended up colliding with another ship just off the coast of Nantucket. Even though most of the passengers would end up surviving, it was notable for also managing to use the first-ever SOS distress call.
8. SS Morro Castle (1934)
A fire ended up breaking out on this cruise liner that was located near the New Jersey coast. It led to 137 deaths. The crew’s delayed response in addition to a lack of safety measures only ended up exacerbating the disaster as well.
9. MS Georges Philippar (1932)
The MS Georges Philippar was a French ocean liner that ended up catching fire in the Indian Ocean. It led to over 50 deaths, which included journalist Albert Londres. Londres’ investigative work on forced labor very well might’ve made him become a target for sabotage.
10. MV Doña Paz (1987)
Even though this tragic incident is technically a bit past the Titanic’s era, this Philippine ferry disaster stands as one of the deadliest maritime tragedies of all time. Over 4,300 people died upon the ship’s collision with an oil tanker.
