The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland – 29 May 1914

In the St. Lawrence River on 29 May 1914, RMS Empress of Ireland sank with the loss of 1,024 lives, after colliding with the Norwegian collier, SS Storstad.

Here is a newspaper story – published on 30 May 1914 – which reports on the disaster.

Given that the loss of life in the Empress of Ireland disaster was almost on the same scale as the sinking of the Titanic, it’s amazing how few references are made in popular culture about the tragedy.

We imagine that’s because the disaster was soon forgotten about with the start of the First World War.

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Saturday 30 May 1914

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/19140530/135/0011

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Saturday 30 May 1914

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/19140530/135/0011