The SS Princess Alice is one of the most heartbreaking shipwrecks in history, and it doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. In 1878, this passenger paddle steamer was cruising along the Thames in London when it collided with a larger ship, the Bywell Castle, breaking apart in minutes. Tragically, over 600 people died, many because the water was heavily polluted with raw sewage, making survival almost impossible. Families out for a pleasant evening were suddenly caught in a horrifying disaster that devastated the city. The tragedy led to public outrage, prompting improvements in river safety and pollution control. Though less famous than the Titanic, the story of the Princess Alice is just as haunting and important to remember. Credit:br Final route: By Goran tek-en, CC BY-SA 4.0 , Animation is created by Bright Side.