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Empress of Ireland
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Empress of Ireland

[Replies: 8]
Last Post Nov 6, 2008 4:11 PM by: neilvr93
kimigirl
Posts: 16
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: 11/5/06
(1 of 9)

Empress of Ireland

Nov 7, 2006 8:20 AM
Hi all, this is only my second post.
I just received the episode of DSD on the Sinking in the ST Lawrence. It was really well done. The Empress has always interested me, and I thought that the information that they found about the trial was very interesting. Everything I had seen up to this point had blamed the Storstad for the collision, even though the Captain admitted he had failed to close watertight doors in the fog, etc. The episode actually changed my opinion. It seems that the Empress made more mistakes than the Storstad did...they were just unfortunate enough to find out what an extremely strong ship like the Storstad can do do the not so strong(reinforced) side of a liner. I'm not sure when this episode came out, but since it is new to me...I was curious as to everyone else's thoughts are on the Empress?
goindwn
Posts: 123
Registered: 10/21/04
(2 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 7, 2006 1:44 PM
Hello, It seems in this tragedy there is plenty of blame to go around.. But if we take a step back you can see the events unfolding, 1914 our waterways are getting somewhat crowded and without the invention of radar navigating at night and in fog is at best dangerous, At this time there are many recorded close calls. But i think what happened that night lies in the fog if they could visually see each outher this collision would have never happened, The fog decided the steps both captains made that night. The one thing about the Empress that still amazes me is how few people have heard of the empress or the tragedy.
rawls
Posts: 186
Registered: 8/2/05
(3 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 7, 2006 1:49 PM
kimigirl....

There is an outstanding book on the Empress of Ireland called "Dark Descent" by Kevin F. McMurray. Don't mix it up with "Deep Descent" which is by the same author about the Andria Doria. You may benefit by getting it...Great read...Bobby

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Edited by rawls at 11/07/2006 1:51 PM
kimigirl
Posts: 16
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: 11/5/06
(4 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 8, 2006 6:34 AM
Thanks Rawls, I'm abit of a bookworm. Also like the Andrea Doria, so I might have to get both books...sigh...:)
XJae
Posts: 7
From: NJ
Registered: 6/1/06
(5 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 13, 2006 8:21 AM
the empress of ireland is one of my favorite wrecks. for a ship that sank in 1914 it is amazingly intact. the low salinity of the brackish water and the cold temps have helped to preserve many of the wood fixtures and much of the teak decking. although many people have shunned diving her since she became a protected wreck in 1999, it's still a worthy expedition... in my opinion.
dragardiver
Posts: 1
From: N.Y.
Registered: 11/19/06
(6 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 19, 2006 5:51 AM
Kimi: I have done 5 dives on the Empress and have been lucky to dive the wreck under good conditions. The water is 38 deg, we are used to that diving up here in Syracuse N.Y. The wreck can be touched at 70ft during low tide, If an experienced boat captain like J.P. Bouillant is taking you to the site surface and underwater conditions like current will be safe. This past August I hosted a reunion of the "Syracuse Diving Society". These wreck diving pioneers were the first to penetrate the wreck in the early 70's. Their stories of diving the Empress wearing wet suits truly made me humble. If you would like some pictures of the event please send me an e mail with "Empress" in the subject. (pfunk2004@twcny.rr.com) I also suggest you get a copy of David Zeni's book "Forgotten Empress". This has incredible one of a kind photos and information about the wreck.

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Edited by dragardiver at 11/19/2006 5:52 AM

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Edited by dragardiver at 11/19/2006 5:53 AM

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Edited by dragardiver at 11/19/2006 5:53 AM
kimigirl
Posts: 16
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: 11/5/06
(7 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 22, 2006 9:12 PM
Email sent. Sorry it took me so long. My programming class has been taking up my time the past 2 weeks getting ready for the final. Thanks!
Nebka
Posts: 50
From: Missouri
Registered: 5/26/06
(8 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Aug 26, 2008 9:39 PM
Another good book is fourteen minutes the last voyage of the Empress of Ireland
neilvr93
Posts: 4
Registered: 11/6/08
(9 of 9)

Re: Empress of Ireland

Nov 6, 2008 4:11 PM
The story of the Empress of Ireland is a fansaniting story of survival that is well cataloged in Dark Decent. Unfortunatley the sinking of the Empress was forgotten because of the sinking of the Lusitania and WW1.
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