Two very different accounts of the collision were given at the Inquiry. "Empress of Ireland"s crew reported that after the pilot had been dropped at Pointe-au-Père, the ship proceeded to sea at full speed in order to obtain an offing from the shore. After a short time the masthead lights of a steamer, which subsequently proved to be "Storstad", were sighted on the starboard bow, approximately six miles away, the weather at that time being fine and clear. After continuing for some time, "Empress of Ireland" altered her course with the object of proceeding down the river. When making this change, the masthead lights of "Storstad" were still visible, about miles away, and according to Captain Kendall it was intended to pass "Storstad" starboard to starboard at no risk of collision. The green light of "Storstad" was then sighted, but a little later a fog bank was seen coming off the land that dimmed "Storstad"s lights. The engines of "Empress of Ireland" were then stopped (and put full speed astern) and her whistle blown three short blasts signifying that this had been done. About a minute later the fog shut out the lights of "Storstad" completely. After exchanging further whistle blasts with "Storstad", her masthead and side lights were seen by Captain Kendall about 100 feet away almost at right angles to "Empress of Ireland" and approaching at high speed. In the hope of possibly avoiding or minimizing the effect of a collision the engines of "Empress of Ireland" were ordered full speed ahead, but it was too late and "Storstad" struck "Empress of Ireland" amidships. Kendall placed the blame firmly on "Storstad" for the collision. Famously, the first words he said to Captain Andersen of "Storstad" after the sinking were, "You have sunk my ship!". He maintained for the rest of his life that it was not his fault the collision occurred.