The Eastland is a non-diveable shipwreck in Lake Michigan.
|
Eastland
|
| Location: |
, |
| Registry #: |
200031 |
| Loss Information: |
capsized, Wrecked on: 07/24/1915 |
| Vessel Type: |
Propeller, Steel, Excursion Steamer |
| Built: |
1903, jenks shipbuilding, port huron hull# 25 |
| Cargo: |
passengers |
| Lives Lost: |
815 |
| Depth: |
-- |
| Temperature: |
Unknown |
| Visibility: |
Unknown |
| Dimensions (Len x Beam x D. of Hold): |
265 x 38 x 20 |
| Mooring on Site: |
No |
| Park: |
|
| LoranC: |
|
| Lattidue: | (Format: ) |
| Longitude: | (Format: ) |
Dive Operators that
visit this site: |
|
| Average Diver Rating: |
0 (No. of Divers who've rated this site: 0) |
| |
| About this Wreck |
the passenger steamer eastland capsized while pulling away from her dock for an excursion. she was heavily loaded with passengers and rolled over in her berth, trapping hundreds inside. the ship's design was the main factor - flaws included a shallow draft and high center of gravity, an inadequate ballast system and the addition of several lifeboats and their associated gear on her upper deck (done due to the post-titanic boats for all law). this was the worst disaster in great lakes history in terms of loss of life.
early on the morning of Saturday, July 24, 1915, thousands were gathering along the chicago river for western electric's fifth annual employee picnic. in fact, over 7,000 tickets had been purchased.
the s.s. eastland, known as the "speed queen of the great lakes," was part of a fleet of five excursion boats assigned to take western electric employees, their families and friends across lake michigan to michigan city, indiana, for the day's festivities.
but the eastland, docked at the clark street bridge, never left the chicago river. it instead rolled into the river at the wharf's edge with over 2,500 passengers, including crew members, on board. over 800 people lost their lives, including 22 entire families. |
| |
If you know the (updated) GPS/LoranC for this wreck, please login and enter it!!Additionally, logging in allows you to add this wreck to your dive list!!