The Fateful Voyage of the Empress of Ireland
A Tale of Betrayal, Redemption, and a Curse's Wrath
by Cheryl Roberts Gale

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We all conceal some secrets that we dare not share with anyone. But for Captain Henry Kendall—who has borne a particularly heavy burden of secrecy for decades—the thought of carrying them with him into the afterlife, still unspoken, is just too much. And so, on his deathbed, he confides his untold story to the kind young nurse taking care of him, hoping to, perhaps, find some redemption at last. For the rest of that nurse’s life, the captain’s story remains a mystery never forgotten nor confirmed. Or at least, not until forty-two years later, when she happens upon an article about a 97-year-old English murder—committed by the infamous “London Cellar Murderer”— confirming at least a part of the captain’s story, as well as the murderer’s connection to the tragic sinking of the Empress of Ireland, the curse believed to have caused it, and most intriguingly, to Captain Henry Kendall himself! Inspired by actual historical events and challenged by scientific evidence gathered in the interim, The Fateful Voyage of the Empress of Ireland - A Tale of Betrayal, Redemption, and the Wrath of a Curse will grab readers right from the start with its story of love, betrayal, and tragic consequences, on land and at sea. As readers dive into this fascinating account, they are welcome to form (or rethink) their own beliefs about what really happened on that “fateful voyage,” as well as the events that (perhaps) birthed the very curse that sank the mighty ocean liner to the bottom of the St.Lawrence River on May 28, 1914.

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"THE FATEFUL VOYAGE OF THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND is a fascinating, page-turning mix of fact and fiction that reads like a thriller. Did Dr. Crippen really murder his wife? What was the fate of the sea captain who turned him in? Did Crippen’s curse actually sink a ship? Offering new perspectives on an oft-told tale, author Cheryl Roberts Gale masterfully leads the reader on an exciting narrative journey, replete with twists and turns, towards an ending that will surprise and shock. A beautifully written debut!" —Lynette Brasfield, author of award-winning NATURE LESSONS: A NOVEL (St. Martin’s Press, NY) "A well-researched account of “the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history “and Captain Henry George Kendall’s role in the capture of murderer Dr. Hawley Crippen. Cheryl Roberts Gale does a remarkable job telling this story, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys history!" —Peni Jo Renner, multi-award-winning author

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Author (and avid reader) Cheryl Roberts Gale has skillfully woven her life’s vibrant experiences into the fabric of her writing. From orchestrating successful business ventures to traversing the world and the adventures of motherhood, Cheryl’s inspiration to pen this novel began over a decade ago with a trip to Quebec to scatter the ashes of a family member. Oddly, this led her to a moonlight ghost tour, where whispers of the ill-fated Empress of Ireland, its stoic captain, and an intriguing curse rumored to be responsible for the tragic sinking unfolded. Recently, encouraged by a writing class, her vision for the story was reignited from the back burner, and she embarked on a literary voyage. Now residing in the seaside town of Laguna Beach, California, Cheryl shares her coastal cottage with her husband, Rich, and their two Old English Sheepdogs, Cambridge and Oxford, whose endearing antics make up for what they lack in IQ despite their regal names. When not immersed in reading, writing, or traveling the globe in search of the next historical site, Cheryl is on her laptop, crafting witty holiday cards complete with humor and puns while overseeing a bustling wedding venue – a place where love stories emerge against the backdrop of her very own historic chapel.

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Contributors

Author

Cheryl Roberts Gale

Illustrator

Jeanette Maclean