SS Storstad

SS Storstad was a 6,028 GRT Norwegian collier (coal freighter), built in 1910 in Newcastle upon Tyne by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd. She was torpedoed and sunk during the First World War on 8 March 1917 by SM U-62 at 51.33333°N, -11.83333°W.

Storstad is perhaps best known for colliding with the ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland in 1914, resulting in the sinking of the latter ship and killing over a thousand people.

Empress of Ireland disaster
Storstad sailed from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Quebec, loaded with coal from the Dominion Coal Company.

On 29 May 1914, the Storstad collided with the RMS Empress of Ireland in the Saint Lawrence River near Pointe-au-Père, tearing a 14 ft hole in the Empress's hull. The Empress sank in 14 minutes, killing 1,012 of her passengers and crew. There were 465 survivors. On duty at the time was Chief Officer Alfred Toftenes. The Storstad did not sink and made it to shore with only slight damage to the bow.

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. She was bought by Dampskibs Klaveness A/S, Christiania, Norway and operated under the management of A. F. Klaveness & Co.

Loss
On 8 March 1917, Storstad was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nmi south west of the Fastnet Rock (51.33333°N, -11.83333°W) by SMU U-62 with the loss of three crew.