A Tragedy on the Chicago River

Chicago’s Worst Tragedy Occurred in the Chicago River by Alberta Adamson, President & CEO Eastland Fellowship Authority Center for History, Wheaton, Illinois

Drizzling rain did not hamper the spirits of the picnickers boarding the S.S. Eastland heading to Western Electric’s annual picnic in Michigan City, Indiana on July 24, 1915. The Hawthorne Club at the Western Electric plant in Cicero organized the event and sold 7,000 tickets to employees for their family and friends. Everyone anticipated a day filled with games, food, swimming, relaxation, and fun. Parents held their children’s hands as they walked through the crowded decks and looked for a place to sit. For some this would be their first boat ride which raised the expectation of a day to remember. Five boats were chartered but the Eastland, the largest, was the first scheduled to depart at 7:30 a.m. Ticket takers counted 2,500 eager passengers before raising the gangplank and directing people to the other steamers.

The band was playing on a lower deck and guys and gals danced as the boat swayed back and forth. It was a remarkable scene filled with gaiety and anticipation. As the steamer was getting ready to depart, the ship listed to port and then to starboard but seemed to right herself. Passengers were not concerned until she listed to port again and things started to fall. Within two minutes the Eastland was resting on the floor of the Chicago River. Pandemonium broke out – people screaming and jumping into the river, others tightly holding on to their children, and some were climbing over the deck railing to the side of the ship which had risen out of the water. Those below were grabbing onto whatever they could to keep their heads above the water. A few managed to slip out of 18” port-holes resting above the water. Eventually grasps gave way and many were lost in the depths of the ship decks before divers and welders could save them. Bystanders were tossing items into the river hoping these would keep someone afloat. Individuals were diving in the river to rescue as many as possible.

In the end 844 people perished including 22 entire families. Temporary morgues were setup and the task of identifying loved ones was overwhelming. Spouses were lost, children became orphans, and parents cried over the loss of their children. Some families rejoiced in the safe return of loved ones while mourning the loss of other family members. Many families lost their only source of income. The capsizing of the S.S. Eastland marked the greatest loss of life in Chicago or the Great Lakes.

Chicago jumped into action to help from rescue efforts to raising funds. Within two weeks $350,000 was raised for the relief of those families in need. Businesses helped in many ways, for instance Marshall Fields sent blankets to cover the victims and warm those pulled from the river. Storefronts and hotels opened their doors as shelters and medical stations. Phone lines were installed and lists of victims and survivors were complied and forwarded to the switch board operators at the plant in Cicero.

Western Electric provided compensation to the families by establishing two funds. One was to help with the funeral expenses including cemetery plots and even a new suit if necessary. The other provided funds for food and everyday expenditures. The company gave needed medical care and inoculated over 200 people against typhoid, and adopted a policy of favoring victims’ relatives in application for employment.

Czech, Polish, German, Italian, and Swedish immigrants were among the nationalities employed at the Western Electric plant in Cicero. Individual ethnic groups responded and offered assistance. Organizations such as the Masons and Eastern Star aided with the financial burden of burying the victims as well as supporting and comforting families. An Eastern Star member attended numerous funerals and wrote, “It rained all week at all burials. It seemed as if the heaven was weeping too.”

Newspapers across the country reported on this horrific incident with some sensationalism, such as 1,200 people dead, or 300 still missing. Nonetheless, newspapers were the best source of information and quickly the number of victims was reduced. Everyone wanted to know the cause of the disaster. Fault was wide spread and contributed to improper construction of the steamer, faulty equipment, negligence of the captain and engineer, graft and greed. Naturally, those involved cast the blame on to others. Testimonies were heard and recorded; insurance coverage was certainly not adequate so the families of the victims had to shoulder another burden. The possible causes leading to the S. S. Eastland rolling on its side have been defined yet still disputed. Some like to say she was simply a “cranky ship” and never should have sailed. Testimony proved she sailed for twelve years without incident if the water ballasts contained water. Who was responsible for the water ballasts and keeping the ship even keel is also debated. Trying to find the answer to why the S. S. Eastland capsized was never resolved. Even after almost twenty years of criminal and civil investigation no one was held responsible.

Regardless of the cause, the story of the Eastland Disaster should focus on the people who perished and their families, those who rescued so many survivors, and the businesses and organizations that offered assistance that fateful day. It truly is a story of a community coming together to pay respect to the victims and help the survivors.

Alberta Adamson is the President and CEO of the Center for History in Wheaton, Illinois, a mid-size privately funded, history museum and education center. She started as a founding member of the Wheaton Historic Preservation Council in 1980. Her leadership led to the establishment of the Center in 1985 and its expansion including the Eastland Disaster Gallery in 2005, and Fairways, Greens & Clubs golf museum in 2006. Adamson's approach to "making history fun" and professional standards has earned the Center forty- nine awards from national, state and local organizations. She has a BA in Museum Management from DePaul University, earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive certification in 1998, and is a 1992 Seminar for Historic Administration alumnus. She is currently a board member of Illinois State Historical Society. She served on several history and community boards including the American Association for State & Local History.

Adamson has presented programs and sessions at several national conferences, developed numerous educational programs and exhibits. She researched and wrote We've Put The Past In Front Of You, an architectural tour of Wheaton, and was the Managing Editor of Recollections of the War of the Rebellion. Adamson was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Illinois State Historical Society in 2011.

The Center for History’s interactive programs on slavery, abolition and Underground Railroad attract students from all over the greater Chicago area. Recently after attending a NO RIGHTS! The Injustices of Slavery program, a 5th grade student said, “Thank you. This was much better than learning history out of books”. Adamson said she is rewarded every time a student makes a comment like that.

2624 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026 866-858-8449 www.ravenfoundation.org This article was sponsored by the Raven Foundation for inclusion in the Lookingglass Theatre’s Eastland: An Original Musical study guide. Visit http://lookingglasstheatre.org to view the entire study guide.