"Empress of Ireland" reached Pointe-au-Père in the early hours of 29 May 1914, where the pilot disembarked. She resumed a normal outward bound course of about N76E and soon sighted the masthead lights of SS "Storstad", a Norwegian collier, on her starboard bow at a distance of several miles. Likewise, "Storstad", which was abreast of Métis Point and on a course W. by S., sighted "Empress of Ireland"s masthead lights. These first sightings were made in clear weather conditions, but fog soon enveloped the ships. The ships resorted to repeated use of their fog whistles. At 01:56 local time "Storstad" crashed into "Empress of Ireland"s starboard side at around midships. "Storstad" remained afloat, but "Empress of Ireland" was severely damaged. A gaping hole in her side caused the lower decks to flood at a rate alarming to the crew.