Storstad

The "Storstad" was a 6,000 ton Norwegian collier (coal freighter), built in 1910 in Newcastle upon Tyne, owned by A. F. Klaveness & Co. She was torpedoed and sunk during World War I on March 8, 1917 by U-62 at coord|51|20|N|11|50|W|display=inline.

Disaster

"Storstad" sailed from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Quebec, loaded with coal from the Dominion Coal Company.

On May 29, 1914 the "Storstad" collided with the RMS "Empress of Ireland" on Saint Lawrence River, tearing a 14 foot hole in the "Empress". The "Empress" sank in 14 minutes, killing 1,012 of her passengers and crew. There were only about 473 survivors. On duty at the time was Chief Officer Alfred Toftenes.

The "Storstad" did not sink, but made it to shore with damage to the bow. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=940DE3DA113FE633A25752C0A9609C946596D6CF "Official Statement Defending the Storstad Says She Had Right of Way and Tried to Avoid Collision,"] "New York Times." June 1, 1914.]

The Canadian Pacific Railway, which owned the "Empress of Ireland", filed a $2,000,000 lawsuit for damages against the owners of the "Storstad". As recompense, the "Storstad" was given to the Canadian Pacific Railway as part of a settlement. The "Storstad" was sold for $175,000.

Notes

References

* Bibliothèque et Archives du Canada, RG 12, Transport, vol. 1245, dossier « Empress of Ireland »
* [http://perso.orange.fr/cdasm.56/dictionnaire/667.pdf Dictionary of Disaster at Sea during the Age of Steam, page 667]
* [http://www.skipet.no/1917.pdf Ship history, page 32, item 116]

External links

* [http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/empress_of_ireland.htm Empress of Ireland]
* [http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/great-disasters.asp?articleid=99&zoneid=1 Norway-Heritage The Collision between the S/S Empress of Ireland and the S/S Storstad]