SS Eastland

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The Eastland disaster

The SS Eastland was a passenger ship based in Chicago and used for tours on the Chicago River. On July 24, 1915, the ship rolled over onto her side while tied to a dock in the Chicago River.[1]

A total of 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.[1][2]

After the disaster, Eastland was saved and sold to the United States Navy. After restorations and modifications, Eastland was designated a gunboat and renamed USS Wilmette. She was used primarily as a training vessel on the Great Lakes, and was scrapped after World War II.

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Eastland Memorial Society". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  2. Baillod, Brendon. "Introduction". The Wreck of the Steamer Lady Elgin. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2009.