The Chicago Maritime Society pushes for a prominent lakefront museum to showcase Chicago's maritime history. Read Story

On Saturday, July 24, 1915, the passenger ship Eastland was docked in downtown Chicago on the Chicago River preparing to depart for a Lake Michigan cruise to Michigan City, Indiana for a Western Electric employee picnic. Soon after 2,500 passengers boarded the ship it began to list. First to starboard, then to port while still moored to the wharf. The Eastland rolled onto its side, spilling passengers into the river and trapping others underwater in the interior cabins, mostly women and children. The disaster claimed 844+ lives. This web site relates information regarding this disaster, which, for its magnitude and immense loss of life, remains relatively obscure in history. Even though this disaster resulted in the largest death toll of any single event occurring in the continental United States in the twentieth century, very few people are familiar with the story.

The Eastland Memorial Society is dedicated to provide information and support for descendants of Eastland disaster victims and survivors, to promote historical knowledge and remembrance of the disaster, and to plan and facilitate activities and projects which contribute to the commemoration of the disaster. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the disaster. We appreciate your interest in the Eastland and the events surrounding this catastrophe. Any general comments and discussions are welcome in our guest book. We are also proud to announce our alliance with the Dave and Rose Nelson Eastland Collection which is now part of the Center for History in Wheaton, IL

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