RMS Empress of Ireland

In the early 20th century the Canadian Pacific Railway company had grown to an enormous size with railway services across the American continent and steamships to connect their railheads to the far east and across the Atlantic. It was said that one could travel across the globe from Canada to Japan and back, always heading west, without once stepping foot from off of a CPR ship or train.

Despite this the transatlantic fleet was, in the early 1900s, not entirely impressive, comprised mostly of small steamers and some combination cargo-passenger ships bought second-hand. CPR needed to raise standards to meet those of other lines like White Star and Cunard. In 1906 a pair of sisters were built at Fairfield Shipbuilding in Govan Scotland to meet this demand - Empress of Britain and her identical sister, Empress of Ireland.

The two ships were constructed to an exacting standard and brought huge improvements in terms of comfort and safety - for first and second class passengers there were sumptuous lounges, music rooms and cafes. Third class also got their own smoking room and general spaces as well as a sand pit for children to play in.

Quickly the Empress of Ireland became a favourite for Irish migrants owing to her name. At St Patrick’s day the ship would hum with laughter and mirth as passengers danced and celebrated - from her masthead would fly an Irish flag. A group of Irish artisans collaborated to create a unique clock which was gifted to the ship and proudly put on display.

In May 1914 after 8 years at sea the Empress of Ireland was tragically sunk after a collision with a Norwegian collier. Deficiencies in the ship’s design, particularly the size of her boiler and engine compartments, were laid bare by the damage which sank her in just 14 minutes claiming 1,012 lives.

GRAND VOYAGE seeks to commemorate the Empress of Ireland and her passengers & crew by depicting her in the prime of her career. Players will be able to explore the ship’s interior as well as the sprawling ports she operated between; Liverpool and Quebec.