2014 (1914-) Canadian 50-Cent Empress of Ireland 100th Anniv Collection Coin & Stamp Set

2014 (1914-) Canadian 50-Cent Empress of Ireland 100th Anniv Collection Coin & Stamp Set

It was the greatest maritime disaster in Canadian history – a tragedy unparalleled by the loss of life and the speed at which the events unfolded. The sinking of RMS Empress of Ireland made headlines around the world in 1914; sadly, the onset of the First World War would quickly overshadow the events that transpired in the waters near Rimouski, Que.

Built in Scotland by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Empress of Ireland was launched on January 27, 1906. Measuring 172 metres long and 20 metres wide, the Canadian Pacific Railway steamship was widely regarded at the time as one of the fastest and most comfortable passenger ships for the transatlantic journey between England and Canada.

On the afternoon of May 28, 1914, the Empress left its berth in Quebec's harbour for its first summer voyage to Liverpool. In the early morning hours of May 29, the liner was steaming down the St. Lawrence River near Pointe-au-Père when at 1:40 a.m., the Norwegian collier Storstad was sighted at about eight miles to starboard. Both crews attempted to anticipate one another's course as a thick fog engulfed both ships, forcing Captain Henry George Kendall to bring the Empress to a stop. But minutes later, the Storstad emerged from the fog at a mere 30 metres from the Empress – it was too late for either ship to alter its course and at 1:55 a.m., the Storstad's reinforced hull ploughed into the centre of the Empress.

The Empress could not withstand such damage to its compartments. Water rushed into the Empress, trapping many passengers inside their cabins. The ship listed sharply on its starboard side, allowing water to pour in through the portholes and rendering it impossible to close most of the watertight doors. The tragedy was further compounded when only a few of the lifeboats were able to be launched before the ship turned over completely on its side. In the span of a mere 14 minutes after the collision, RMS Empress of Ireland had sunk to its final resting place.

Of the 1,477 passengers onboard RMS Empress of Ireland, 1,012 perished including 134 children. For most, the Empress will be forever linked with its tragic end, but it is also remembered for the thousands of immigrants who boarded this great liner to make their journey to a new life in Canada. In 1999, the wreck site was classified as a historical and archaeological property, and it has since earned a protected status as a National Historic Site.

Features

- A richly detailed 36-page colour book, telling the story of the Empress of Ireland - her construction, her eight years of service, and events before and after the tragedy
- A limited-edition commemorative coin (only 15,000 struck)
- Two reproduction postcards, including one mailed from the Empress just hours before sinking
- Only 6,000 sets produced

Plus EXCLUSIVE to this collection, these collectibles bearing unique cancels:
- A pane of 16 domestic rate stamps
- A souvenir sheet of the international rate stamp
- Both Official First Day Covers

Packaging

2014 (1914-) Canadian 50-Cent Empress of Ireland 100th Anniv Collection Coin & Stamp Set comes presented in commemorative holder with colour historical booklet, commemorative coin, stamps, postcards, and more.

Specifications

Face Value: 50 cents
Mintage: 6,000
Composition: Silver plated copper
Weight (g): 32.82
Diameter (mm): 42
Finish: Matte Proof