Two keynote speakers will be at the Old Mill Heritage Centre’s History Day in Kagawong tomorrow to share the history of the Empress of Ireland.
Museum curator Rick Nelson says the Empress was a Scottish-built ocean liner that sank near the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River following a collision with the Norwegian collier Storstad on May 29th, 1914.
He says historian David St. Pierre from Montreal is the author of a new book about the sinking who will host two sessions tomorrow, one at three pm, the second at 7:30 pm.
He will be joined by Salvation Army historian Ron Miller who will share the story about the members of the Army who were on board when the Empress sank.
St. Pierre adds the sinking is considered the worst peacetime maritime catastrophe in Canadian history.
Nelson adds admission is by donation with funds going towards ongoing museum projects with the 2022 Salvation Army also in attendance providing entertainment to attendees.
