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Empress of Ireland

The RMS Empress of Ireland was a Canadian Pacific ocean liner that sank in the St.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The RMS Empress of Ireland was a Canadian Pacific ocean liner that sank in the St. Lawrence River on 29 May 1914 after a collision with the Norwegian collier Storstad. Of the 1,477 people aboard, 1,012 died, making it the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history. The wreck lies near Rimouski, Quebec, and is a National Historic Site of Canada.

Construction and service

The Empress of Ireland was a British-built ocean liner operated by Canadian Pacific Steamships. It entered service in 1906 and was used on transatlantic passenger routes between Canada and Britain.

Sinking

On 29 May 1914, the ship collided with the Storstad in fog on the St. Lawrence River and sank rapidly. The loss of life was exceptionally high despite the ship carrying lifeboats and watertight compartments.

Casualties and significance

The disaster claimed 1,012 lives among 1,477 people aboard, leaving 465 survivors. It is regarded as the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history and one of the deadliest civilian shipwrecks before the First World War.

Wreck and memorial status

The wreck remains on the floor of the St. Lawrence River near Rimouski, Quebec. Its site has been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.

Key facts

  • The Empress of Ireland was built for Canadian Pacific’s passenger service between Canada and Britain.
  • It sank in heavy fog near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River after colliding with the Storstad.
  • The disaster killed 1,012 of the 1,477 people aboard.
  • The sinking is widely described as Canada’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.
  • The wreck site is protected as a National Historic Site of Canada.
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Canadian context

The disaster is a major part of Canadian maritime history and is recognized as the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canada; the wreck site near Rimouski, Quebec, is a National Historic Site of Canada.[11]

Frequently asked questions

What was the Empress of Ireland?
It was a Canadian Pacific ocean liner that operated on transatlantic routes between Canada and Britain from 1906 until it sank in 1914.
How did the Empress of Ireland sink?
It sank after colliding with the Storstad in fog on the St. Lawrence River near Quebec in the early hours of 29 May 1914.
How many people died?
Of the 1,477 people aboard, 1,012 died and 465 survived.
Why is it historically important?
It is commonly described as Canada’s worst peacetime maritime disaster and one of the deadliest civilian shipwrecks of its era.
Where is the wreck located?
The wreck lies on the floor of the St. Lawrence River near Rimouski, Quebec.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Empress_of_Ireland
    Supports: Collision with Storstad, sinking date, fatalities, and Canadian peacetime disaster significance.
  2. World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/RMS_Empress_of_Ireland/
    Supports: Total aboard, deaths, and description as Canada’s worst maritime disaster.
  3. Titanic & Co — https://www.titanicandco.com/empressofireland/empressindex.php
    Supports: Builder, launch date, operator, and basic ship specifications.
  4. Parks Canada — https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=12391
    Supports: Wreck location near Rimouski and National Historic Site designation; worst maritime disaster in Canadian history.
  5. CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/almanac-the-sinking-of-the-empress-of-ireland/
    Supports: Sinking in 14 minutes and casualty count.