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How could 844 people drown in only 20 feet of water on a mild summer
day?
 Many drowned within
the ship's cabins. In the river, so many panicked passengers covered
the river, thrashing about, that many were pushed under.
Where did the
disaster occur?
The ship capsized
on the south bank of the Chicago River between Clark & LaSalle Street.
Why did more women
than men drown?
There was a light
rain that morning. Many women moved into the inner cabins and ended
up being trapped there. Women also generally had ankle-length dresses,
which made it difficult to swim.
Who was responsible
for this disaster?
Although legal
cases levied no fault, the ultimate responsiblity rests with the ship's
construction and operation.
Is there a passenger
list?
No, there is no
passenger list. Since it was a chartered vessel, the passengers simply
boarded, first come, first served. One of the Society's efforts is
to compile this list.
What was the gross
tonnage of the Eastland?
Original gross
tonnage was 1,961 tons (1903). Total weight at the time of the disaster
is unknown, given modifications, ballast, coal, passengers, etc.
How many lifesaving
devices were aboard the ship?
11 total lifeboats.
(6 original lifeboats, 2 added in 1905 and 3 added July 2, 1915).
37 life rafts (6 added July 2, 1915). 1 work boat. 400-600 life jackets
on the hurricane deck, more on the promenade deck & crew's quarters.
How much did the lifesaving
devices weigh?
Total lifeboat
weight (boats & rafts) was about 62 tons. Each lifeboat weighed between
3.62 and 3.96 tons. Life rafts weighed 1,100 lbs. each. The work boat
weighed about 1.65 tons. Life jackets weighed 5.5 to 6 lbs each.
Why are there so many different 'official' counts of victims?
For years, the official Coroner and Red Cross count was 812 victims. This figure was later revised to 835, after the inclusion of death certificates not counted. During research for his book, Eastland: Legacy of the Titanic, Dr. Hilton discovered another 9 victims uncounted, bringing the total to 844. Our current research indicates an even higher total.
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