April Fool's Day, 1873 - The grand steamer Atlantic of the White Star Line crashes hard onto the rocks of Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia (not too far from Halifax), with almost 1,000 people on board. The ship is rapidly tearing apart as the waves batter it against the rocky coastline. The lifeboats wreck before they can escape and the stern sinks rapidly. It seems hopeless for everyone aboard Atlantic, but rescue is on its way in the form of a small group of local fishermen.