Sinking of the RMS Atlantic
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 The RMS Atlantic shortly before it's departure from Port Elizabeth. | |
| Date | January 4, 1962 |
|---|---|
| Time | 18:17 (UCT) |
| Location | Off the coast of Nnukwuti |
| Cause | Collision with undersea rocks. |
| Outcome | Sinking of the RMS Atlantic. |
| Deaths | 1,244 |
RMS Atlantic sank shortly after departing from Port Elizabeth on January 4 1962, only 4 days after Alanweke's independence. The Liner struck several undersea rocks before quickly capsizing onto her port side within four Hours. Many lifeboats on the starboard side were unable to be launched leading to only half of the lifeboats being able to be used. The ship capsized and sank three hours and eleven minutes following the collision leading to the deaths of 1,244 people.
Atlantic was a ship being used to transport members of the former Colonial Administration of Alanweke back to the United Kingdom following the country's declaration of independence. Whilst the new government had promised to protect former colonial staff, members of the public reportedly attacked several and this led to widespread fears of reprisal attacks. The ship was completely full and was on it's first voyage of seven from Port Elizabeth to Southampton.
Following Atlantic's departure from Port Elizabeth it turned to port to avoid Ihuo island. Six hours and eighteen minutes following her departure from Port Elizabeth, the ship struck a group of uncharted undersea rocks tearing a large hole on the port side. Water flooded the ships electrical room and the four of the ships compartments. Electricity was cut off following this.
Following the collision, emergency distress signals were sent out and many fishing boats in the area were the first on the scene. The liner RMS Carinthia was the first large ship to arrive one hour and forty minutes following the collision and helped in the rescue of passengers. Two commercial aircraft from BOAC that had departed Port Elizabeth International Airport.
Atlantic sank at 22:36 with over 1000 passengers and crew still onboard, many would perish before they could be rescued. The sinking caused outrage and many Conspiracy theories on the sinking were spread. A notable one was that a member of the Nwekese Armed Forces had planted a bomb onboard. This caused further panic among former Colonial staff and British citizens in the country.
Background
At the time of her voyage, Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Atlantic had been in service for 12 years primarily servicing Transatlantic voyages from Southampton to New York City although shortly before her use to transport evacuees from Alanweke she had been doing Leisure cruises in West Africa. She had finished a cruise around West Africa on January 2 and was called up by the British Government and Cunard Line to help ease the backlog of people trying to leave the country.
The mass exodus of British Citizens was prompted by the country's declaration of independence and fears of reprisal attacks. On the morning of January 4, additional aircraft and ocean liners had been brought to various Ports and Airports throughout the country. RMS Atlantic was the largest ship being used in the evacuation.
Sinking
Departure from Port Elizabeth
RMS Atlantic began boarding passengers at 06:32. Whilst boarding was initially peaceful, throughout the process many became restless and several fights broke out between people attempting to get tickets. By the completion of boarding at 12:11, 1897 passengers were onboard and 1288 crew members. Notable people onboard included Phillip Holcomb, the last Colonial-Governor of Alanweke who would later die in the sinking and Edwin Cunningham the colonial chief of the civil service.