The Empress of Ireland – Canada's Titanic Part II

A couple of weeks ago I shared the story of Edith Stainer and the tragedy of RMS Empress of Ireland.

In May 1914 the ship sailed from Quebec on her way to Liverpool. The journey would take six days, two of them spent sailing along the St Lawrence River. During the early hours of 29 May, the ship was engulfed in thick fog – so thick that it lost its position and ultimately collided with a Norwegian collier. It took only 15 minutes for the Empress to sink – with catastrophic loss of life.

Although the story shared in Posted in the Past was concerned with Edith Stainer (it was her postcard that began the research) I also researched other passengers – including some who had connections with my part of the UK.

Albert Mullins
(Photo courtesy of Brian Cleary, from Barnes and Mullins Ltd)

Albert Mullins was born in Somerset and his family moved to Wimborne after his birth in 1872 – living in Leigh Road. Samuel ‘Bowley’ Barnes was born in Wimborne and his family lived in the High Street. The young men shared an interest in music and formed Barnes and Mullins – selling musical instruments. Their company began trading in Bournemouth.

In 1914, Albert was returning to England following a successful business tour of several countries. Accompanying him were his wife Kate and their daughter Eileen (their son remained in England). With only 15 minutes from impact to sinking, it’s perhaps understandable why so many children – 133 – were lost, including Eileen. Albert also drowned. His wife survived with terrible injuries – and was eventually brought back to England by her sister and brother-in-law, Bowley Barnes (the business partners had married sisters).

(Photo courtesy of Brian Cleary, from Barnes and Mullins Ltd)

Barnes and Mullins continued to trade – and still does. The founders never forgot their roots and even named a mandolin The Wimborne Mandolin. A banjo was named The Empress – acting as a form of remembrance for the company’s co-founder and his daughter.

The Wimborne Mandolin
(Photo courtesy of Brian Cleary, from Barnes and Mullins Ltd)

You can read more about Edith Stainer in Posted in the Past – available from a number of online stores, indie bookshops and direct from me for £9.99 including P&P.  Email me at info@helenbaggott.co.uk for more information.