Few details seem to be available about the Norwegian survivors of this shipwreck, or about the children who lost both their parents. An initial count with little information shows about 11 husband/wife pairs died, with indications that at least 6 children became orphans- the true number is probably much more. I invite anyone to add names, corrections, or information to this, or to point out a related research site.

The large group of Norwegian emigrants left Christiana in mid June 1852 aboard the ship Argo and arrived in Quebec in mid Aug. From there they traveled several more days to Buffalo NY.
The SS Atlantic left Buffalo bound for Detroit across Lake Erie late on Aug 19th. The ship sank several hours later, and the passenger list was among the losses in the disaster. Stephen Olson of Wisconsin, who had accompanied the Norwegians as a translator, provided a list of casualties that was published about two months later. There was an accounting for 132 Norwegian passengers- 64 rescued, 68 victims. The number of children on the victim list appears to be well over half of the total.

Known or suspected survivors (just beginning) -
Erik Iversen Thorstad.... Amund Eidsmoe- wife Gjertrude and two children Ole and Gunil.... Stephen Olson- guide.... at least one child of Marit Stephensdatter.... possibly three children of Johannes Iverson Rudi Alfstad and wife Marit- Ingeborg Johannesdatter b1848, Johannes Johannessen b1842, and a second Anne Johannesdatter b1835-1838....possibly two of these sons of Aslak (Knudsen) Dolven Mitlien- Ole b1827, Ole b1848, or Abraham b1851....

Hopefully this survivor list can be made much longer. A list of victims is at this site:

http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/great-disas...