This is a fascinating story. I had heard about the Empress of Ireland, but googled it after I read your post. It is a tragic story. The Empress evidently went down in less than fifteen minutes making it virtually impossible for passengers to get off the ship. This also shows just how lucky any of us are to be here on this orb . I have been working on my family history for over five decades. I am fortunate that there are many other folks out there doing the same thing. I have found several cases where a many times great grandfather of mine as a young man fathered one child then died in battle or by illness. I had a great grandmother (Barbara Hume)of Renfrewshire, Scotland who as a very young child was emigrating with her parents, in about 1680, to America on the ship, Caledonia. The plague or some other scourge spread across the ship leading to the death of many passengers who were buried at sea including both of Barbara's parents.
One of my great great grandmothers, Emily Osburn Durant, died at age 18 about a month after giving birth to my great grandmother Sylvina Emily Durant. Sylvina was raised by Emily Osburn's family and her father, James Durant lit out for the California gold fields. These are but two stories from my family; there are others.
If these women hadn't grown up, there still would be folks around, but I wouldn't be among them. The truth is we are all here by the skin of our teeth. I'm just glad that you and Mrs. A. are around to take beautiful photographs and to help keep the pubs with their pork pies and pints of ale in successful operation. You, Mrs. A and all of your family please stay safe.