SS Atlantus facts for kids
SS Atlantus the day she ran aground, 8 June 1926
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | SS Atlantus |
| Builder | Liberty Ship Building Company, Brunswick, Georgia |
| Laid down | March 1918 |
| Launched | 5 December 1918 |
| In service | 1919 |
| Out of service | 1920 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 8 June 1926 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 2,391 GRT |
| Length | 79.2 m (259 ft 10 in) p/p |
| Beam | 13.3 m (43 ft 8 in) |
| Speed | 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) |
The SS Atlantus is a very famous ship. What makes it special? It was built from concrete, not steel! It was one of twelve concrete ships made by the Liberty Ship Building Company in Brunswick, Georgia, USA. This happened during and right after World War I.
Contents
Building a Concrete Ship
Why Build Ships from Concrete?
During World War I, there was a big need for ships. Steel was hard to get because it was used for weapons. So, people looked for other materials. Concrete was a good choice because it was cheaper and easier to find.
The Launch of the Atlantus
The Atlantus was launched on December 5, 1918. It was the second concrete ship built for the US fleet. The war had actually ended a month before, so work on the ship slowed down.
First Journeys
The Atlantus had its first big test, called sea trials. This was a trip of about 400 to 500 miles. After that, it sailed to Wilmington on May 26, 1919, for its first official trip. The ship was meant to carry goods between New York and the West Indies.
The Atlantus at Work
Carrying Troops and Coal
The Atlantus helped bring American soldiers home from Europe. It also carried coal in the New England area. These were important jobs for the ship.
Early Retirement
After just two years of service, the Atlantus was retired. This happened in 1920. It was sent to a place in Virginia where old ships are taken apart.
A New Plan for the Atlantus
A Ferry Dock Idea
In 1926, a man named Colonel Jesse Rosenfeld bought the Atlantus. He had a big idea! He wanted to use the Atlantus and two other concrete ships to build a ferry dock. This dock would be for a ferry route that now connects Cape May and Lewes.
How the Dock Would Work
The plan was to dig a channel to the shore. The Atlantus would be placed there. The other two ships would be set up in a "Y" shape. This would create a safe spot for a ferry to dock.
The Plan Goes Wrong
Work on the ferry dock started in March 1926. The Atlantus was fixed up and pulled to Cape May. But on June 8, 1926, a big storm hit. The ship broke free from its ropes. It got stuck about 150 feet off the coast of Sunset Beach.
Stuck Forever
People tried many times to free the ship. But none of their attempts worked. The Atlantus stayed stuck right where it landed.
The Atlantus Today
A Famous Landmark
For a while, there was even an advertisement painted on the side of the ship. Since it got stuck, the Atlantus has slowly fallen apart. But it has become a popular place for tourists to visit.
What You Can See Now
Today, not much of the ship is left above the water. The wreckage is broken into three parts. The back part (stern) is the easiest to see. The middle part is completely underwater. You can only see the front part (bow) when the water is very low.
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Postcard from around 1940
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The Atlantus in July 2015
