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



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



Last edited: