Rare Photos of Divers Searching for Eastland Disaster Victims in 1915

[KathyV]

Friday, July 24 2015, is the 100th anniversary of the Eastland disaster when 844 civilians, including 22 entire families, died when a Lake Michigan excursion boat (chartered for a company picnic) capsized in the Chicago River.

The Chicago Tribune recently re-discovered rare, glass plate photographs of the event, including some pictures of divers searching for the victims and working to refloat the capsized boat.

In 1915 the Tribune reported of the perils the divers faced, "Many feet below, a diver, tangled in the wreckage, was fighting for his own life."

More photos and information about Eastland divers' recovery efforts are available at:
Eastland Disaster - Organized Response - Professional Divers

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

 

[iamrushman]

interesting info and great old photos...such a tragic event...thanks for sharing.

 

[Jared0425]

A friend of mine has some of the silverware and dishes that was salvaged from the wreck he also has a few of the oak panels that adorned the dining room.

 

[KathyV]

Most people have heard about the Great Chicago Fire but not many have heard of the Eastland Disaster although almost 3 times as many people died on the Eastland, many of them children.

I am glad that the efforts of the divers are being recognized as part of the 100th anniversary memorial. I don't mean to sound facetious regarding a sad and solemn event, but I think that they were very brave men - not just because of the difficult, dangerous and gruesome work that they did - but also because they were willing to jump into the awful water of the Chicago River!

My company's offices are on the bank of the river and I walk over it at least twice a day going to and from work, when I saw this picture of a diver jumping into the river all I could think was YUCK!

Here's a recent article about the river and its impact on Lake Michigan:
Nasty: Another Chicago River Re-Reversal Highlights Need for Climate Action | Henry Henderson

 

[KathyV]

A friend of mine has some of the silverware and dishes that was salvaged from the wreck he also has a few of the oak panels that adorned the dining room.

There was a recent display of artifacts from the Eastland at an event in Forest Park, IL:
Eastland Disaster artifacts displayed in Forest Park July 17 - Oak Leaves