The worst maritime disaster EVER in Chicago history happened on this day in 1915. Known as the Eastland disaster where 844 people drowned while boarding a ship to go to a company picnic in Michigan City Ind sponsored by Western Electric it ranks as a disaster of the highest order on so many levels. The funeral homes were overwhelmed as the hot July sun exacerbated the sickening stench of rotting flesh downtown as bodies were recovered from the ship. Many bodies were laid out in school gyms and anywhere available so family members could identify the dead and entire families were wiped out. Astoundingly, the owners of the ship and the captain escaped punishment due them by the Chicago way that was in place as authorities soft pedaled the charges and subsequent punishments that were avoided. It was a heinous travesty of justice that this disaster was not avenged by the courts to those responsible

by | Jul 24, 2023 | Chicago centric content, Natural disasters

#OTD in 1915: Western Electric employees gathered at the Chicago River on South Water Street (Wacker Drive) to board the SS Eastland soon would find themselves in an overturned ship. In minutes, 844 of the estimated 2,500 people on board would lose their lives:...