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On May 28, 1914, the sailors cast off at 4:27 p.m. On board the passenger ship preparing to make its 192nd Atlantic crossing, there were 1,477 people. Captain Henry George Kendall was on his first voyage at the helm of the Empress of Ireland leaving Québec.

As for all ships greater than 30 metres in length, navigation on the river had to be done with a pilot assisting the captain. The presence of many islands on this course, the low depth of certain channels, the frequent currents and the great amplitude of the tides demanded constant attention.

As he had done for 8 years, pilot Adélard Bernier would guide the liner through the 157 nautical miles between Québec and Pointe-au-Père.

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The Empress of Ireland in Québec
1910
Port of Québec


Credits:
National Archives of Quebec, Québec