SS President founders in the North Atlantic
- When
- 1841
- Where
- New York; Midway between Nantucket Shoal and St. George's Bank; North Atlantic Ocean
- Episodes
- 3
The SS President, a British paddle steamer commanded by Richard Roberts, departed New York on 11 March 1841 for Liverpool. Last observed in a severe gale on 12 March, the vessel foundered in the North Atlantic, resulting in the loss of all 136 passengers and crew. The disaster contributed to the collapse of the British and American Steam Navigation Company.
Episodes
- Departure from New York
The SS President departed New York on 11 March 1841 for Liverpool, carrying 136 passengers and crew.
- Last Sighting in Gale
The President was last seen by the Orpheus during a severe gale on 12 March 1841 in the North Atlantic.
- Foundering and Loss
The President foundered with all 136 on board, likely during the night of 12 March or before sundown on 13 March.
Background and detail
Background. Commissioned in 1840, the SS President was the largest passenger ship in the world but suffered from underpowered engines and disappointing voyage times. The British and American Steam Navigation Company, which owned the vessel, had established a transatlantic service requiring frequent sailings. The ship's performance issues, including the removal of patented feathering paddles, preceded its final voyage.
Final Voyage. Under Captain Richard Roberts, the President completed a westbound voyage to New York in February 1841. Departing New York on 11 March for Liverpool, the ship carried 136 passengers and crew. The vessel was last seen by the Packet Ship Orpheus during a terrific gale on 12 March, situated in a dangerous part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Loss and Consequences. Captain Cole of the Orpheus believed the President foundered with all on board before sundown on 13 March, likely during the night of 12 March. The disappearance of the ship led to the collapse of the British and American Steam Navigation Company, which had relied on the vessel for its transatlantic service.
People involved
- Captain Cole · Captain Cole of the Packet Ship Orpheus, as described in sighting testimony
Sources
- SS President Wikipedia, revision of 2025-12-13
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.