The Empress of Ireland
RMS Empress of Ireland was an ocean liner that sank near the
mouth of the Saint Lawrence River 29 May 1914, two years after the Titanic.
It had enough lifeboats, but sank in 14 minutes after a collision
with a Norwegian ship; which was not enough time to launch and fill
the lifeboats. Of the 1477 people on board, 1012 died.
On the ship were three parties of Filpus cousins.
- Tuomas Fabian Koivisto, his wife Susanna and sons, Arvi and
Martti. Their bodies were not recovered. Tuomas was 4th cousin
twice removed of grandfather Isaac Marttila.
- Emma Markula, sons Arvo, Eero and Aarno, and daughter Toini.
Arvo survived the disaster. Emma's and Toini's bodies were
recovered and buried in mass burial site in Quebec. Emma's
husband Frans, who had remained in Michigan, was
great-grandfather Frank Kaskinen's 7th cousin.
- Jaakko Vihtori Jaakonpoika Tiitu was traveling alone. His wife
was half 6th cousin once removed of grandfather Isaac Marttila.
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