The Sinking of the Eastland by Jay Bonansinga summarizes the sinking of the passenger ship Eastland in Chicago on July 24, 1915 that resulted in 844 deaths. The top-heavy Eastland carried 2500 passengers for a company picnic when it rolled over in the Chicago River due to improper ballast and post-renovation instability issues. The disaster was one of the worst maritime accidents in Great Lakes history and led to new maritime laws and emergency response regulations being put in place.

1. The Sinking of the Eastland
Author: Jay Bonansinga
By: Carlie Brown

2. The Eastland
• Launched on May 6, 1903
• Overall length – 275’ 0”
• Beam (width) – 38’ 0”
• Water compartments filled carry 800 tons of ballast
• Twin screws, driven by 2 powerful triple expansion
engines, supplied with steam from four Scotch boilers

3. The Eastland
• St. Joseph-Chicago
Steamship Company was
the ship owner in 1915
• Purchased vessel simply
to generate profit
• Issues of safety and
seaworthiness played
minor role in company
decisions

4. Eastland Dangers
• Top heavy due to the
increased amount of
life preservers, rafts,
and boats the ship
carried
• Ship burned 5 tons of
coal per hour
• Renovations of the
forward dining room –
addition of concrete
• No keel

5. 3 Maritime Disasters
Titanic in 1912 Eastland in July 1915
Luistiana in
May 1915

6. Western Electric Company
• Western Electric Company invited all of its employees
and their families to the annual picnic on July 24, 1915
• Implied that it was highly encouraged to attend
• Large amount of women employees during this time
period

7. Sinking of the Eastland
• July 24, 1915
• 2500 passengers
• 70 crew members
• Death count: 844

8. Local Response
• Divers sent in to • Increased law
rescue bodies dead enforcement to secure
and alive site and reduce thieves
• Facility established at • American Red Cross
a local company to and other health officials
house fatalities assisted

9. William Moorhouse
• Chicago’s Commissioner
of Public Works
• Stand in Mayor at time
the Eastland sank
• Immediately released
relief funds and closed
city
• Arranged a command
post
• Took charge in
emergency relief for
Eastland disaster

10. Indictments
• Recovery – blame • Jury returned verdict
needed to be placed placing blame on 6 men
• Investigation was ordered • William Hull
• Federal Grand Jury • Captain Harry Pederson
Indictments – 10 different • J.M. Erickson
individuals • Robert Reed
• Charges – “conspiracy to • J.C. Eckliff
defraud the federal
government by • W.K. Greenbaum
preventing the execution
of marine laws, and for
criminal carelessness”

11. Shaping Future
Emergency Management Planning
• The Eastland, Titanic, and Luistania were the basis for maritime
laws and regulations
• Importance of supplies and readiness plans
• The Eastland was purchased and was used for future testing for
ship safety
• The importance of integrated emergency management instead of
different levels of government working against each other

12. References
• Bell System Memorial. (n.d.). Eastland Disaster.
www.beatriceco.com/bti/porticus/bell/eastland.html
• Bonansinga, Jay. (2004). The Sinking of the Eastland: America’s Forgotten Tragedy. New
York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corps.
• Chicago Tribune. (2012, June 10). The Eastland Disaster. Retrieved from
galleries.apps.chicagotribune.com/chi-0720-eastland-disaster-pictures-pg/
• Eastland Memorial Society. (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2013 from www.eastlandmemorial.org
• Hilton, George W. (1995). Eastland: Legacy of the Titanic. Stanford, California: Stanford
University Press).