"Storstad", which remained afloat, lowered her own lifeboats and began the rescue survivors in the water. The radio operator at Pointe-au-Père who picked up the emergency signal from "Empress of Ireland" notified two Canadian government steamers: the pilot boat "Eureka" at Pointe-au-Père Wharf, which left the wharf at full steam at 02:30; followed by the mail ship "Lady Evelyn" at Rimouski Wharf which left at 02:45. "Eureka" was first on the scene at 03:10 and rescued about 150 survivors from the water. She brought the survivors first to Pointe-au-Père, but was redirected to Rimouski Wharf where doctors and relief supplies were waiting. "Lady Evelyn" arrived at the site of sinking at 03:45. No survivors were left in the water but "Lady Evelyn" collected the 200 survivors rescued by "Storstad", as well as 133 bodies, and arrived to join "Eureka" at the Rimouski Wharf about 05:15. "Storstad" was damaged but not severely, so her captain continued on to Quebec.