1

First buoy installed above the wreckage
Summer 1914
About 11 km northeast of the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse

Credits:
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

2

In the days following the tragedy, it was very easy to locate the wreck. Air bubbles were still escaping from the hull and a layer of oil was expanding on the surface. On May 30, a green buoy with a white light was installed above the wreck.

3

Team of divers hired by Canadian Pacific
Summer 1914
On board the Marie-Joséphine

Credits:
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

4

Canadian Pacific, the ship's owner, appointed a salvage company to establish the position of the wreck and determine whether it could be refloated. About twenty divers were sent to the location.

5

Deckhand assisting a diver
Summer 1914
On board the Marie-Joséphine

Credits:
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

6

Two possibilities were considered:
The first, which consisted of blowing compressed air into the ship, would not be selected. It was believed that at the time of the collision, the Storstad had torn a hole all along the hull of the Empress of Ireland.

The second, more plausible, consisted of introducing sealed reservoirs into the ship's holds. But all of the cargo would have to be removed, which proved a near-impossible task for the divers of that period.

7

Silver ingots brought up by the divers
Summer 1914
On board the Marie-Joséphine

Credits:
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

8

On June 20, 1914, on the advice of the divers, it was concluded that it would be impossible to refloat the Empress of Ireland.
During this time, a team of divers set out to access the interior of the wreck. A charge of dynamite was placed on the hull in order to pierce a hole 1.8 x 33.6 metres. On August 20, the safe was removed.

9

Ship's safe being brought out of the water
20 August 1914
On board the Marie-Joséphine

Credits:
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

10

The divers then endeavoured to recover the mail pouches. In 14 days, 318 pouches were turned over to the Post Office Department. At the same time, another team removed 212 silver ingots, worth $1,099,000 at the time.