The Full Story of the Eastland Disaster (1915)

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One of the worst maritime disasters in the United States actually occurred in downtown Chicago, at the Clark Street Wharf in 1915. The top-heavy, unstable SS Eastland took over 2,500 souls onboard and prepared to depart when she rolled over at her mooring.
The causes over the long, slow-burning lead up to the Eastland Disaster are muddy and a bit confusing, but with the help of detailed computer recreations in Unreal Engine 5 and in cooperation with the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, we do our best to paint a broad picture of the life and death of the unlucky ship, looking at the happy memories, the near catastrophes, and the changes over her career that built up to this disaster.
The Eastland Disaster Historical Society can be found at eastlanddisaster.org/
HistoBrick's Lego Eastland kit can be found here: histobrick.com/collections/bu...
Listen to the full song "On the Boat Eastland" here: • "On the Boat Eastland"...
The pronunciation of Calliope: www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
1:29 - The Michigan Steamship Company
3:45 - Construction of Eastland
9:42 - Her First Season
12:28 - Instability Issues Begin
16:07 - Eastland at Cedar Point
21:05 - Eastland Returns to Chicago
25:15 - Eastland Sinks
38:30 - Rescue and Recovery
48:20 - The Aftermath
50:50 - The Criminal and Civil Trials
53:43 - USS Wilmette
56:05 - Eastland Site Today
58:55 - Acknowledgements and Conclusion

[@PartTimeExplorer]

My pronunciation of CALLIOPE - the most popular subject in the comments of this video - is correct according to Merian Webster www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calliope . I've also been told that it is pronounced "cal-iop" when referring to an instrument aboard a ship, and "ca-lie-o-pee" when used in a circus. This documentary took over 200 hours to make; saying Calliope took one second of that time. In the meantime, there's an alternate song I used for the Calliope scene that delivered the point of "the Eastland boys goofing around" with it better. Here's that alternate cut: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3W9i3l9jrdqpKM

[@Keraulonus]

I thought you had mispronounced it as well, but when I looked it up, both pronunciations are correct.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

@@Keraulonus I'd like to think so, but half the comments on here disagree

[@claudiadarling9441]

I'm just appreciating the love the Great Lakes seem to be getting lately from channels like yours and Big Old Boats. They're full of fascinating stories, unique ship designs, and odd ball characters.

[@lenking410]

You do amazing work. There are facts you discuss here that I rarely see brought up. Such as the complete dismissal of the false everybody on the wrong side of the ship myth. Thank you for everything you do. I discovered your channel about a year ago with your SS Atlantic video and have been hooked ever since!

[@charlesdexterward7781]

You also mispronounce "en suite" @8:10 (it's "on sweet", not "en sweet"). Heh, just busting balls and it wouldn't have even registered if I hadn't first seen this comment.

[@AndyHappyGuy]

I know this I very cliche, but can we appreciate that this is free? This video covers essentially the whole history of the ship with visuals and 3d animations of the ship through the various stages of her life. The disaster itself is described in incredible detail with 3d animations and sound effects to make it as immersive as possible. I really appreciate you guys for making this!

[@Dude_1864]

This sort of content really is what PBS was supposed to be/ used to be

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I don't break even from ad revenue.

[@sp1n4l_sn4p]

andy you are literally everywhere, every youtube comment section, every discord server, please just let my family live 😭😭 (jk your a great guy)

[@IreneWY]

No, you're absolutely right. The amount of research that went into this, incredible.

[@dmoore7519]

I pay for YT Red to avoid commercials. Best $13.99/month in the world.

[@rangda_prime]

As a person who has struggled mental health issues, I was gripped by the account of the suicidal man who had paced the river, but leapt in to save the lives of others. I so hope that this showed him his life was worthwhile, that he could make a difference and that the world would had been worse off without him. And to anyone reading this feeling the same he did that day, please consider that you never know what is around the dawn of tomorrow.

[@gullybull5568]

Redonkulous.idea.clearly.coo.coo😂

[@PeriMedic1]

Reminiscent of "It's a Wonderful Life".

[@ChelseaH1]

Thank you.

[@mikeholiday5970]

Good observation

[@peeron6829]

Thank you mate :) I hope you are good

[@only2genders772]

It's crazy to think how deadly a ship wreck can be so close to the shore.

[@ingridakerblom7577]

Similar thing happened a few 100m from where I live.. a ship went down & people drowned bcs of the bad weather, they couldn't see/know how close to shore & people they were..

[@Matt-ur3dm]

The video on the SS Atlantic is worth watching as that happens in that too

[@CJM-rg5rt]

​@@ingridakerblom7577the worst loss of life on Lake Erie happened near me. It was a calm summer day and less than a half mile from shore with the ship already stuck in sand.. but up to 290 people still drowned. I don't understand why nobody could swim back then. They had to jump into water that was barely too deep to stand because of a fire on board. They were mostly immigrants and a few were immediately dragged down by the weight of all their gold, sewn into their clothes or worn in money belts but I'm guessing that's a minority.

[@materialbwoy3777]

⁠​⁠@@ingridakerblom757736:49 You have to have a lot of self control, mental and physical strength to continue playing with your fellow band mates, and the music not to mention, contrasts the situation greatly.

[@kurtisvandermiller4507]

​@@CJM-rg5rtwell also when a ship sinks the weight can create a suction hole when it goes down. Which is why in the navy they require sailers to pass rigorous swim test because when a ship sinks if you don't get away fast enough gravity is taking you down.

[@BarefootFarmFL]

Yet again a KZbin video proving that network executives determining the content we consume are completely out of touch and tone deaf. These videos you produce are simply better than anything out there found on network programming. Thank you for devoting so much of your time and energy into creating these spectacular pieces. I hope people can continue to appreciate them for decades to come.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment; I'm glad you're enjoying these videos!

[@justinstrickland5382]

Amen!

[@dexterpoindexter3583]

Check Part Time's masterful recounting of The Broker, a 1951 New Jersey train accident -- just posted!

[@caverstacy]

@@PartTimeExplorerbrilliant storytelling well researched. Now… I recommend respectfully a bit of work on the VO to push these works to perfection: take the time to edit out the gasping breaths. Nit picky perhaps (I teach video editing at a local university) but please consider it a critique, not a criticism.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

As a naval architect, I’d like to thank you for making this video. There’s a lot of accidents that happened because somebody who thought they knew what they were doing actually didn’t.

[@meepgaming6987]

I’m not a naval architect but I like to draw and design ships and immediately saw how top heavy the ship is. Maybe if they had cut a deck into the hull of the ship and put the lifeboats there like you see on cruise ships

[@jeffbybee5207]

Michael Imbesi understand why they had trim tanks and the problem of being 18 inches to deep to get over the bar but instead of however many tons of water why would they not add extra keels so that the weight added would have been in the very best place. Would it have made the roll period to quick? And finally why/ when subdivisions added in the tanks to fight the free surface effects?

[@xMilkManDanx]

One of the pieces of legislation that William Alden Smith pushed for was lifeboats for all. In Titanic: End of a Dream, naval experts pushed back against this regulation stating that lifeboats were a very last resort and likely could not save all souls so adding more was costly and useless. Until I saw this, I would’ve sided with Smith. Now I’m not so sure.

[@whyjnot420]

To be fair that might describe most accidents in any context.

[@lewisdoherty7621]

I remember there was a case where a company decided to cut a ship in the middle and insert sections to increase cargo capacity without consulting a naval architect. This changed the ratios and when it found itself in a big wave trough with peaks at the ends as always happens, it snapped. A while back I was told that the person managing a project deferred to the person who operated heavy equipment because he did that. I told him that people who operate heavy equipment implement engineering solutions, but don't design them. I can only imagine what it must of been like when the marketing guys for cruse ships told the ship designers that they had to have swimming pools on the top decks.

[@davidjturner]

Something about the fate of the chief engineer hurts quite a bit. I guess it's in the knowing of his efforts to prevent the boiler from exploding and then being villainized over the whole affair. As you said, he acted within the expected expertise of his position operating under the information he knew. Hard to blame him for his missteps, and sad to see what came of him.

[@onezvideos315]

US Government Cover-ups often make victims of those who did their duty.

[@tazoomturret377]

​@azurie580 So if someone was to end you're whole family, you wouldn't care and would let them get away with it?

[@tazoomturret377]

@azurie580 So we should just let anarchy run it's course and let mass murderers and serial killers run loose, murdering everyone they see?

[@chasb3234]

It seemed that the chief engineer was supposed to be the fall guy regardless. They literally gave the captain a slap on the wrist when he was the negligent one!

[@beowulf1312]

@@tazoomturret377 That's not his point. He was trying to say it was not his fault. Although people died, you don't go around accusing people of causing their deaths or being the major cause without some grounding.

[@tdestroyer1882]

The fact that there are no ads in this and that it’s completely free truly tells us how well this guy does his vids!

[@Vinzmannn]

How so?

[@ruthshelton-tp9ie]

WRONG !!! You Tube DE--$ed this fantastic video & so for all the hard work he put into it he hasn't gotten paid A DIME !!! YOU TUBE should give him an apology big time and make sure he gets paid but they won't.... they're too busy dumping comments that go against 'big Brother' & Puppet-master & buds.

[@CruelestChris]

Naw, that's just because it's been age restricted.

[@peeron6829]

​@@CruelestChris😂 dont ruin it

[@Mark-uh4zd]

This platform has become insufferable without ad blocks

[@Spitfire_1940]

Every time I walk past the spot it happened, I get chills. Crazy to just walk past the exact spot that almost 1,000 people died within an hour

[@matthewschreiber2421]

Me too except I'm just learning about ship wreck and I just connected dots

[@kated89141]

It's amazing to me to see how many people watch both Part-Time Explorer and Ask a Mortician. I love them both.

[@erikaswanson7072]

Both of them are great KZbin personalities!

[@speederscout]

That's pretty funny; I had no idea! I watch them both, too!

[@noellemcclain]

Yess

[@martinclark8162]

Ask a what?, dude WTAF?

[@kated89141]

@@martinclark8162 Ask A Mortician. Her name is Caitlin and she's amazing. Her videos are educational and entertaining. And her personality is awesome.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Fantastic re-telling of events as always! Beautifully presented.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thanks man!

[@concept5631]

@@PartTimeExplorer Yeah good job.

[@Cabooseified]

Any chance of you both doing a collab? Both of you are absolutely fantastic in your research and editing.

[@karolinasandrapaulinamarit8090]

@@PartTimeExplorer Magnificent job! Any plans for SS Carl D. Bradley, and SS Edmund Fitzgerald?

[@BoomerG21]

This is game recognizing game. Wholesome.

[@bekaemery2918]

My gosh. I had to stop and take a moment to cry when you said about the guy who was contemplating suicide and then ended up saving several people. That's amazing.

[@jamesdean258]

🙄

[@christianjesse8980]

@@jamesdean258got anything else?

[@jamesdean258]

@@christianjesse8980 How’s this? 🖕🏻🫵🏻

[@johndillinger6563]

@@jamesdean258 😂😂😂

[@suzzyq]

👍

[@chesspiece81]

So they took an already top heavy ship and added more capacity, more life boats, and replaced it's wood floors with poured concrete on the upper deck? Is that right? That seems insane.

[@tuxedomask7071]

If it didn't sound so insane I'd say it sounds strategic. ;) Especially when talking to a chess piece

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

It was rotting. Chicago is REAL big on SALT for even 3 flakes of snow! They dump more salt than a fat man at an AYCE buffet.

[@rocketamadeus3730]

This is really an astonishing tale of how much people were willing to put up with from a boat.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

They kind of got pushed into it from their jobs.

[@meteormedia7021]

I like the story of the suicidal man who ended up jumping into the water not to kill himself, but to rescue several victims from drowning. What a hero. No matter how bleak your situation may be, stay strong and hold on. There will yet come a time for you to shine.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I found the exact number of people he saved after I published this video. He allegedly saved 9 people!

[@concept5631]

@@PartTimeExplorer Damn. Impressive.

[@doristessier3683]

I lived in one Wheaton center downtown Wheaton.I went for a walk was a summer day & in back of a cosmetic storm were many pictures of the Eastland tragedy. As I looked at the photos a sadness came over me & that's how I found out of the Eastland. It was in the summer of 1986. Those photos were there to view for a few years.that was a memorial for the Eastland. I can only guess the photos are now at the museum in Wheaton. So sad

[@doristessier3683]

That Eastland tragedy happened happened because of greed

[@tomas4958]

He wanted to die….must been easy for him to help as hi got not much to loose

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

Utterly terrifying that so many lives were lost right in port, in city, in broad daylight and fair weather with many people able to immediately assist.

[@kayvictoria7250]

It's the captain's fault he should have evacuated immediately but no people never do what it supposed to be done.

[@OlOleander]

One thing I especially liked was the overlay of old photos onto the CG-model Eastland's signage. Seeing actual people in the context of the ship helps ground all of these events, and the ship itself, in reality.

[@SaucyTreasures]

My grandmother was a Westinghouse employee and planned to go to the employee picnic (via Eastland), and she was delayed and missed the catastrophe. It is amazing to think that my being here was likely due to a delay.

[@chrissywales6575]

Plus any children you have. I often think about those chances.

[@jmfs8738]

Western Electric - which was folded into Bell Telephone by the 80’s and then Lucent, which sold for 5 cents a share.

[@kurotsuki7427]

I feel bad for the engineer, he was blaimed for so much. He messed up but he also stayed at his post doing what he could till the last minute.

[@karanhdream]

Things I've learned watching this channel : - Listen to the crew and captain - Quickly locate all exits and emergency equipments (fire extinguishers, fire axes, first aid, alarms) - Partake in emergency drills - Make it outside as quickly as possible if something goes wrong, even if it's just a false alarm

[@schnetzelschwester]

I always do so staying in a hotel. I locate the emergency exits and test to get there with eyes shut. In case of fire there might be zero sight at all. My colleagues laugh at me, but better safe than sorry.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Once heard a fire drill in an office building. I was down the steps and out the door (3rd floor) in about 30 seconds. It was minutes away from the worst fire site in US history, the Iroquois. Nobody else MOVED, much less moved with the speed I did! I do NOT fool with fire! Btw, if your dryer/washer ever catches fire, DO NOT open the door! It SHOULD burn itself out! 14k fires a year that way. Don't dry oily or chemical-laden rags or pile them up (spontaneous combustion). Even olive oil can catch fire that way.

[@veeatemoder8695]

I was born and raised in Chicago. I remember being taught that the disaster was caused by an over-zealous crowd of people that tipped the ship, as they rushed to wave goodbye to people on the dock. You have cleared that up, and given me an even greater appreciation for the history that took place on that day. Your channel is wonderful! Thank you for putting in so much hard work to present your videos like you do. Absolutely top-tier content!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I'm always happy to be sharing history. Thank you for your support!

[@grantaylward7385]

Ja false information sux. It is what the media wants you to beleive

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Sad that even old people, native born to Chicago, never even HEARD of this because of news suppression!! Forget why, tho.

[@thedukeof5a]

Absolutely amazing work. There is no shortage of documentary type channels on KZbin, but where they simply toss stock footage into their videos that isn't even related to the topic, you take the long painstaking path of creating models in the Unreal Engine. Your work puts the History Channel to shame.

[@rocketamadeus3730]

The History Channel puts itself to shame too.

[@Matchboxtruckman163]

Absolutely, I look forward to seeing this amazing videos each time I see he uploads

[@meeseification]

This is the first video I've seen of his. It will not be the last!

[@herberthenry6213]

Outstanding production describing a tragedy I was totally unaware of.

[@sabrinarosario6499]

The fate of the engineer broke my heart while the Captain walked away free. The one at the bottom will always pay the price whilst the one at the top won't.

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

Not always. I just watched a video by ocean explorer about the sinking of the SS Arctic, where the captain was totally and horrific oh screwed over by his crew mutinying in the crucial moment, _stealing_ lifeboats from women and children; in fact, one life boat was already loaded with women and children, when the crew incompetently tipped it, killing everyone inside it. Most of the survivors of the ship carrying 400+ people were evil, vile crew members who, upon landing safely, turned the full force of the press against their captain, who lost his own son and very nearly his own life in the wreckage, having gone down with the ship. Not a single woman or child was saved. Really, it just matters who gets his side of the story out first.

[@metamorphicme9378]

I wonder how long it takes this man to do all of this beautifully and tragically detailed research? I'm in awe! Love from a South African 🇿🇦. I'VE SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@XxXShevampXxX]

He said it was around 200 hours to make but I dunno if that includes research or not. I'm thinking it probably does. Wild, huh?

[@pietervanbreda4360]

Capetonian joining you.

[@tonypurle8667]

One of the best documentaries I've seen,ever,anywhere.....and I'm a 47 year old docu-addict. Such an original format, I was glued to it for it's entirety.

[@peeron6829]

I first red drug addict lmao Have a good one

[@valeriebower386]

You have done such a comprehensive compilation of the life of the Eastland and depiction of the tragedy of July 24, 1915. I greatly appreciate your efforts. My family had nine members aboard that day, including my mother in utero. My grandmother lost her mother and two brothers that day (one of whom was a Western Electric employee), along with the fiancé of one of the brothers. Her father, another brother, and my grandfather were all surviving employees of Western Electric Hawthorn Works. Thanks to the quick thinking of our grandfather, an experienced professional sailor, he dove for and saved our grandmother and, therefore, our mother. He continued diving to try to rescue others until stopped by the police. He is the personal hero of the Selig-Swangren-Bower families to this day. Thank you once again for your dedication in producing this wonderful documentary.

[@e.sterling141]

That's so sad that your grandfathers and grandmother's family was torn apart. But incredible that he was able to save his wife (and your mom). If I understand correctly HER mom was on board and didn't make it? As well as some of her brothers? It's all just so tragic and should have never happened. But certainly your grandfather is a hero.

[@valeriebower386]

@@e.sterling141 Thank you for your thoughtful response. Yes it was a needless tragedy.

[@e.sterling141]

@@valeriebower386 You're welcome. 😊

[@lsimon343]

What a crazy story!! That is just amazing how ur grandfather was such a quick thinking man! I’m sorry u had to lose other family but it’s great that so many did survive. That’s incredible that ur mom was in utero! U were meant to be my dear!! God bless and only focus on the positive ❤❤❤❤

[@brokenelectronics3665]

, I tried to wrap my hand around the incredible amount of work that had to go into the production of this video, not to even begin with the unbelievable research and preparation that had to be done before you even began to film. Well done, I am in awe.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I appreciate that. Thank you

[@indridcold8433]

When the movie comes out, Caitlan the Mortician and The Part-Time Explorer will be advisors to James Cammeron. The movie will be incredible!

[@peeron6829]

​@@indridcold8433is that a real thing or did you just imagined that? 😂

[@kennethsmolecki1345]

My grandfather was a milk vendor to the Hawthorne plant, he was one of several that were asked by Hawthorne to bring a load out to the Eastland for the picnic. He had delivered his load and was leaving the wharf when the disaster happened. He was tasked by the police with helping to pull bodies out and was there until after midnight. When he got home my Grandmother raised hell with him thinking he was out with the boys getting plastered. When he finally got the chance to tell her what happened. I heard he was sickened by all that happened. I had 2 uncles that were infants at the time. Dad was the baby of the bunch and didn't come along until '26. Grandpa died in '46. I didn't come along until '54. I remember Dad telling me the story while visiting my Grandparents grave at St. Adalberts cemetary.

[@Justicia007]

The free market of KZbin has, fortunately for us, led to this brilliant documentary by a true historian, who is also the narrator. Absolutely fantastic! This is what a real documentary should be, and by listening you can't help but learn so much about this tragic incident and about life as it was at the time.

[@theswagman1263]

hardly a free market lol

[@Justicia007]

@@theswagman1263 true enough but not much censorship in the area of historical pieces about shipwrecks.

[@peeron6829]

​@@Justicia007yeah but he got no advertising money for this video because its age restricted and i think its a shame what kind of content youtube promotes while the good quality bringing hard working creators get the middle finger in the face lol Im just glad we can support creators like this otherwise because the amount of time needed to do a video like this is just insane. I could never do it i think :) Have a good one

[@railfandepotproductions]

@@peeron6829 we need change in youtube (not saying those far right nitwits should take over youtube)

[@chdreturns]

One thing about this whole disaster is how stellar the employer of the victims was through all this. Not even needing a lawsuit to give a good payout, something you never see today from big companies.

[@dawnreneegmail]

Western Electric as a company remained a power house when I worked for her affiliated Bell Telephone in the 60s. Anyone who worked for Western had a solid employer.

[@FizzleFX]

This is the slowest catastrophe in history. SO MANY YEARS you saw it coming... And yet, here we are. Hope it was worth it.

[@SeanPiron]

Your videos are superior to the majority of documentaries I've seen. They don't have the commercial break recaps and cliff hangers every 5 minutes. They are incredibly dynamic with information about the current politics, social factors and technology, along with easily understandable physics of the crafts. You have amazing graphics and a very clear speaking voice. I am truly blessed to have found your channel!

[@michaelimbesi2314]

I used to work for the Great Lakes Shipyard, which was the shipyard owned by Great Lakes Towing (the company that owned Kenosha and also salvaged Eastland). They still exist and they still have a couple tugs from that era, if you wanted to see exactly what Kenosha would have looked like in person. In fact, they also own the tug Indiana, which also responded. The tug is currently known as Hawaii and is still in service.

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

Wow! Its a good time to be an Eastland historian. Ask a Mortician did her video recently, you guys finally released this which I had been excited for since you told me on the last Titanic stream, and hell I'm working on my own Eastland project. I'm so happy!

[@xmtryanx]

Caitlin's doc was definitely good quality! She's such a pro.

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

@@xmtryanx My only complaint was I wanted it longer. Like an hour or two. Well looky here at that timeline.

[@theshenpartei]

I saw that video a while back

[@DevilSurvivor69]

@@LadyTylerBioRodriguez Fascinating Horror also did a video last year on the Eastland. It's very good as well.

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

@@DevilSurvivor69 Oh yeah that's true. I believe the Eastland Disaster Historical Society worked on that one as well. Its pretty awesome seeing a historical society working with KZbinrs so much. Hell I'm guilty of that, been emailing then quite frequently with specific questions about timelines and individuals.

[@marcuscook5145]

I've learned from this channel to always view a schematic of any large vessel you plan on boarding.

[@Regie57]

You sir deserve your own television show. This was a very well put together documentary. Thank You

[@TJWatson59]

My family lost two on the Eastland. It is nice to see you did your homework on this...one detail was the image of the Reid-Murdoch building - show as it was at that time, not as it is today.

[@juliemanarin4127]

So very sorry. My husband's family lost one.

[@eltonnoway7864]

Impending roll over around 37:10 - Final death toll 844 - An amazing amount of research and detail went into the making of this video. An awesome job by a excellent historian, narrator and organizer.

[@justinstrickland5382]

The animations, editing, and story flow is nothing short of fantastic. This is National Geographic levels of professionalism and research.

[@huohization]

What I especially like about this channel is that the presenter doesn't make it about himself. He's in the frame for a fraction of the video, showing us historical photos and animations instead. That's more than what could be said about other channels where the story is just a reason for the presenter to get some airtime.

[@saltybird]

I have been waiting for this video ever since Ask a Mortician covered this disaster I have NEVER heard of! Thank you for being so thorough and breaking down exactly what happened.

[@indridcold8433]

Caitlan the Mortician and Part-Time Explorer brought new attention to the Eastland. Hopefully James Cammeron is taking note of this revived interest in this horrible tradegy. There is already a couple of people I can think of to help with the movie.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

From a naval architect, bravo! Your explanation of the free surface effect was excellent!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you!

[@Jupa]

44:45 it’s truly tragic the entire event - but it was a huge relief to learn that this family survived. I felt like I was following with them since the start of boarding. This is peak storytelling. I have goosebumps. Thank you for your work.

[@anwolfs9804]

I'm glad I found this Channel! This is the stuff they should show on History, instead of the programs they have now. This is History! No wonder nobody ever heard of the Eastland, nobody seems to care, except Tom. We all know the Titanic, but because of Tom, we all are learning about the other (many) shipwrecks and disasters that happened that are equally harrowing as the Titanic. Incredible work!

[@extracelestial9527]

You did an absolutely fantastic job on this documentary. You covered the story so well, not just focusing on the disaster but the historical events of the vessel, which ultimately led to her demise and tremendous loss of life. Thank you for all the hard work you and your team put into this. It's classroom ready!

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

Another interesting fact, in the video you said "nurse" a couple of times when talking about the valiant actions they did, since there were three on station for the picnic that worked in the Hawthorne Works. But most of what is said in the video was from one nurse, a miss Helen Marie Repa. Oh what a lady she was. Daughter of two Bohemian immigrants, Repa had to work as a dressmaker by age 16 to support her mother, two sisters and a brother, the dad either died or left. She somehow became a staff nurse at Oak Hill Infirmary and later went to St Mary of Nazareth school of nursing, graduating in 1912 before being hired by Western Electric. She was one of the first medical staff at the Eastland when it sank, she did everything from CPR to bandaging wounds to injecting a small amount of stricknine into people to see if they were still alive. She also made round the clock trips to Iroquois Memorial Hospital since they were understaffed, and is the one who suggested Reid and Murdoch should be a command center for the rescue and recovery operation. She also had to help move bodies around, which must have been awful. At one point her family was informed Helen had died so her youngest sister went to disaster site and never fell over in shock when she saw Helen still alive. She only went home around 4 PM, more then 8 hours after the sinking. She later moved out of the city to Texas, got married, had a kid, and quit nursing altogether. She was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1930s and died in Chicago at age 58. Her obituary in the Journal of Nursing made no mention of the Eastland unfortunately. She likely saved dozens if not more lives. That's just one story of the Eastland disaster, there are so many stories of heroism, and also of cowardice. Its truly a shame its a mostly forgotten event.

[@petrmarek3356]

Exactly, Bohemian, better to say Czech nation... Repa is typical Czech name (this name means "beet" in czech). Many Czechs and Slovaks living in Chicago died that day... It was a "Czech Titanic"...

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

@@petrmarek3356 You are correct. Her parents Wojtech and Katerina were listed as from the Kingdom of Bohemia when they moved to Chicago in 1884, but they were Czech people. They changed there names to Albert and Katherine but they stayed in Czech communities. Even when Helen moved to Texas, she married a Frank Tomek. She was always Czech to her last days.

[@indridcold8433]

Miss Helen Marie Repa will be played by Kate Winslet in the movie. Leonardo Dicaprio will be play Captain Harry Pederson. With movie advisors Caitlan the Morticianer and The Part-Time Explorer to James Cammeron, this movie is going to be an amazing hit! I can not wait until it comes out.

[@heatherstub]

Indeed, you're right about that! It seems that the West, especially here in the U.S., seems to have a bad habit of forgeting everything. It's no wonder we're so messed up.

[@indridcold8433]

@@heatherstub It is how so many forgot the banking collapse of 2008. Many lost their life's savings and FDIC meant nothing. Now, many are blindly pumping more money into the same banking system that ruined many from 2008 to about 2012.

[@oliversherman2414]

I can't imagine how terrifying this must've been to experience in real life. RIP to the victims

[@DeadCanuck]

The recreations - complete with photographs overlapping the locations - is just one of the many things that make this documentary amazing. Incredible work

[@eschdaddy]

I’m from Chicago, yet I never heard of this. Memories are way too short. Yet the Chicago fire is deeply sewed into the Chicago fiber. Maybe they WANTED to forget this tragedy?

[@simonofmonroe7793]

There is a brass plaque on the sidewalk above the river walk. I stumbled on it a few years ago and looked it up. That and the fire in the theater down the street (nederlander now)are horrific moments in Chicago’s history.

[@cos36566]

Same, haven’t heard of it until now either. I even went on a boat trip through the same river and the tour guide on the boat never mentioned it.

[@robbicu]

Well done, Tom. Katelyn Doty also did an excellent video on the Eastland which was shockingly demonetized for unknown reasons. I recommend anyone that wants more information on the Eastland and the rescue efforts, the trial and the victims to visit that video under 'Ask a Mortician'.

[@rymoats6460]

Thank god for this channel. I’ve learned so much about lesser known ships in history. Very informative and very accurate from doing other research. Not to mention, it’s just straight and to the point. I cant stand some of these other channels that try to make corny jokes, terrible graphics, and just annoying narrators. This is the complete opposite. So thank you so much for just giving us fact filled videos that are straight forward and to the point. I love these stories.

[@johnmichaelrichards]

As ever, superbly researched, compiled, produced, and presented. This remains the very best documentary I have seen about the SS Eastland. Thank you, Tom and team. Who else on KZbin, PBS, or even the BBC, would acquire a period piano to play authentic contemporary music?! That is outstanding attention to history and thorough detailing of the period ambiance. Yet some then complain about the pronunciation of 'calliope' even though it was contextually correct. Get a grip, folks!

[@JR-ut2ne]

Your Shipwreck documentaries are honestly so well made they put a lot of high budget TV productions to shame.

[@zillia6784]

The mock trial is FASCINATING. I almost wish more historic cases had this. Just occasionally revisit the cases and see if the results would change.

[@sorrenblitz805]

Would it be relevant at all though? A lot of those cases were decided by laws we don't have anymore, conversely we have many laws now that judging the past by those standards wouldn't be even close to appropriate.

[@zillia6784]

@@sorrenblitz805 not relevant at all, i wouldn't think. But, then again, neither is covering/watching old solved cases, and they here we are. I'm not saying we should try to get cases retried just for funsies. But am occasional mock trial would be, if nothing else, enlightening.

[@cail171]

​@@zillia6784I also love the mock trial & wish more did them. It's fascinating to me; I watch trails live now & the big differences are very interesting.

[@Greymalkin-]

Hi Tom! Just wanted to let you know that our youtube overlords have gone hardcore nanny state of ridiculousness and put a warning on this video that: "The following content may contain topics related to suicide or self-harm." I didn't know whether you'd like to contact them to remove it, and I have a screenshot if it helps. Brilliant documentary, by the way. The research, love, and respect that's gone into it makes it head and shoulders above most tv documentaries. Thank you.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Yup, and they took away my monetization on it for promoting harmful topics. I've contacted them, but they won't budge. It's all because of the brief story at 40:49

[@Greymalkin-]

@@PartTimeExplorer that is absolutely crazy, I'm so sorry. Then really it needs to be your followers to complain enough so YT submit to reason. Their AI must just flag the word and ignore the context, because as you know it's more of an uplifting 'It's a Wonderful Life' story because of the lives the man saved. Honestly, this is so disgraceful and infuriating! Is there a history youtube creators union of sorts where everyone, including the followers, can support each other and bombard yt with complaints when something like this happens? Again, I am sorry that you're being treated this way by the platform.

[@NadirEatsRocks]

@@PartTimeExplorer Ask a Mortician is dealing with the exact same issue on a video about the exact same topic. I don't know what caused KZbin to crack down on the Eastland, but it's weird that both videos I've seen on the subject have been flagged

[@stevetorres76]

Thank you for your professional presentation and quality narration. Rest In Peace to the poor souls lost on the Eastland. The blue collar version of the titanic.. : ( The story always makes me sad. I think about these people. Mostly factory workers who, back in those days worked 6 days per week. God knows how many hours and for not very much pay. It was supposed to be a rare enjoyable day for them.

[@higglybiggly1174]

This channel is an absolute masterclass in historical storytelling. I'd never heard of this, but not only did you manage to divulge the relevant information - but made me cry for something that happened 108 years ago. The story of the little boy who represented all the lost children just broke me. Having little kids myself, I can't imagine the heartache these families felt as what they thought would be a fun day together turned into this tragedy.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

It's an amazing photo, by a very rare phenomenon at the time, the first Japanese photographer. I'd like to put it up somewhere to remind me not to take things for granted.

[@MegCazalet]

This is visually stunning. The animations are breathtaking. The tragedy is heart-stopping. Incredible work, Tom! 🏆

[@alexmelisz7724]

Very happy to see this story get some attention outside of the Great Lakes region!

[@maryannebeauchamp1649]

I had never heard of the Eastland disaster. You did an incredible job of telling the sad story.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I know people born there, over 80 year old, who never heard of it. News suppression. Forget why.

[@LivermoreTelCo]

You did an awesome job and I’m sorry people get hung up on pronunciation - let’s not let it prevent you from being very proud and all of us from thoroughly enjoying your work. Thank you for producing this!

[@ardanblade641]

Maritime disasters are one of my guilty pleasures, and I really getting different takes on these tragedies. Thank you for sharing your take.

[@matthewspindler14]

This was by far one of the greatest and most in depth documentaries of this disaster that exsists on the internet. Love your effort Tom. Please keep giving us beautiful and well put together pieces like this.

[@j4513]

This channel is one of those few examples of something that deserves vast funding - and keeps that fire under me to ensure my business succeeds, as I would love to be a large funder donating to this channel and this very impressive young man. I’ll be back.

[@jadlad9666]

I'm a very visual learner and the amazing animations and images in this video are so, so helpful. Thank you!

[@peckishpagan]

This was such a well thought out, informative and educational video about the SS Eastland. I hope it doesn’t get flagged by KZbin like the other Eastland videos I’ve seen.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I made a point of not showing any shots of bodies, which I believe is the important thing they care about.

[@peckishpagan]

@@PartTimeExplorer let’s hope because you really knocked this one out of the park. I really enjoyed hearing you explain how the ballast system worked.

[@pineappleroad]

It seems the video did get flagged (as youtube came up with a warning when i went to watch it)

[@restitvtororbis5330]

​@@pineappleroad Yes it said it was flagged for suicide and self harm, and because ive already seen this one before and know exactly the part its probably flagged for, and it is absolutely insulting to see this get flagged. The story about someone NOT commiting suicide and instead choosing to rescue people was deeply inspirational to me, and many others judging by the comments. im just going to conclude that the reason youtube is so incompetant when it comes to videos that even slightly hint at someone overcoming suicidality for the sake of others (this is not the first time, and seeing certified mental health councilors also getting age restricted is disgusting and shameful by youtube) is that youtube is, in fact, in favor of supressing resources and content that can aid and motivate suicidal individuals to believe help is possible, and that there are ways to find it. Im not exaggerating about this, literally the only videos i have ever seen flagged for this have NEVER portrayed suicide in a positive light, or even been careless with how they approach the subject when it comes up. It only seems to happen to videos that actually take the effort to frame the subject in a way that might give hope to suicidal individuals, and even if youtube isnt doing this intentionally, it's shameful that they still havent done a damn thing to stop doing it.Yes it said it was flagged for suicide and self harm, and because ive already seen this one before and know exactly the part its probably flagged for, and it is absolutely insulting to see this get flagged. The story about someone NOT commiting suicide and instead choosing to rescue people was deeply inspirational to me, and many others judging by the comments. im just going to conclude that the reason youtube is so incompetant when it comes to videos that even slightly hint at someone overcoming suicidality for the sake of others (this is not the first time, and seeing certified mental health councilors also getting age restricted is disgusting and shameful by youtube) is that youtube is, in fact, in favor of supressing resources and content that can aid and motivate suicidal individuals to believe help is possible, and that there are ways to find it. Im not exaggerating about this, literally the only videos i have ever seen flagged for this have NEVER portrayed suicide in a positive light, or even been careless with how they approach the subject when it comes up. It only seems to happen to videos that actually take the effort to frame the subject in a way that might give hope to suicidal individuals, and even if youtube isnt doing this intentionally, it's shameful that they still havent done a damn thing to stop doing it.

[@yvetteaguirre9522]

As soon as this came up I had to see this right away! I’m so happy that you finally made a video of the Eastland. This one hits so close to home, my home city. I’ve been wanting to attend their annual memorial on July but there’s always something that gets in the way. Anyways wonderful documentary and it’s so upsetting that many people died due to negligence of the ship. More than ever I have to visit the museum. Thank you Tom! Thank you for bringing the story of the Eastland to life.💙💙💙 -Betsi

[@pugsymalone6539]

I'm a Chicagoan and a lifelong sailor. This is the best explanation of the Eastland disaster, hands down. Such detail. Great work. Thanks.

[@Morcaiden]

The visual recreation of the events is magnificent! Again, thank you for these reenactments of maritime history.

[@614CBB]

So sad. That photo at 47:27 is heartbreaking. He’s probably holding a drowned child.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

He is... it's terrible. The photo can be found online if you look for it; it's also on the cover of the Images of America series book about the Eastland Disaster produced by the Historical Society

[@williamwoolhouse5018]

Absolutely devastating. You can see that man is in the process of breaking. The terror and sadness in those eyes...

[@otakuemi4676]

My disaster story youtube binges took me pretty far away from your channel recently but the moment this popped up i jumped on it. Your documentaries are incredibly well done and never fail to make me tear up. You're a wonderful storyteller, keep it up!

[@doc2w534]

My office is on LaSalle right on the river. So many people sit on the newer steps where the ship was docked eating their ice cream and sipping coffee. Many have no idea they are sitting where hundreds of people lost their lives and many miss the two dedication plaques posted at the entrance down to the River Walk. I spend a lot of time sitting on those steps looking into the river.

[@QueSara1111]

Just found this channel yesterday and as a historian, I am super impressed with it for accuracy and content. You narrate in such a clear, easy to follow, and non-sensationalised way that it is easy to see I will be watching many more in the near future 😊

[@CammieRacing]

Just watched the Lexington episode and suddenly this is uploaded - what a treat. Question - Is the Empress of Ireland a disaster you might cover one day?

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

Yeah they visited the site of the wreck a while back and he mentioned it would eventually come.

[@FacesoftheForgotten]

Your animations of the ships have always been stellar, but you sure have stepped it up for this one. I really appreciate it, because this has been an ongoing very special story to me personally. We’ll done.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Glad you liked it! I actually had wanted to contact you to inquire about using some of your footage of the Eastland graves, but I was on too much of a time crunch.

[@bekaemery2918]

I watch alot of videos covering disasters but this one hit different for someone reason. Its so tragic. So preventable. They were all going on holiday :(

[@stevennagel9264]

These videos are engrossing. I can’t stop watching this channel

[@connern5791]

Well done Tom. It's honestly mind boggling how many wrong decisions were made throughout the Eastland's life that led up to the disaster

[@noranlexer8108]

What an amazing video, animations, story, and dialogue. You are one of my favorite history channels!

[@Skaggins]

Splendid use of Unreal Engine 5! Great documentary!

[@terriart7124]

from Adelaide, Australia .your doco is of a very high standard I enjoy the way that you keep information coming and NO repeating as to NOT make the program last over hrs and or many episodes like some of the others do well done mate

[@BlairAir]

Just discussing this tragedy with my son... THIS MORNING! And here is a great, deep dive and recreation. Thanks for all the work this must have entailed.

[@mathew85]

What a horrible thing to go through for those ppl who were expecting just to have a fun day out.😢😢

[@justjackiehealy]

Fascinating historical documentary film. Excellent production. Thank you for posting this. I came across it by accident but will be viewing your work again.

[@talesoftheinlandseas5063]

My heart swells when I see great lakes disasters given the attention they deserve. Thank you.

[@hurricanefury439]

23:39 WTF that company actually sounds great to work for most places now barely give any vacation time so the fact that western electric hosted these excursions is epic and the one the eastland was meant to do was practically a free trip to disneyland by the standards of 1915 chicago

[@royalewithchz]

Most union companies still host these annually. But it’s at the demand of the union.

[@DreamingByDay]

I grew in Peoria (three hours from Chicago), and I had never heard of this disaster until Ask A Mortician made a video about it, in coordination with the Eastland Historical Society. She did a wonderful job, but this gave a lot more background and technical info. Thank you very much for your time and efforts in making this. I hope your holidays are safe, warm and happy.

[@brielliott04]

As a Chicagoan I really appreciate the amount of detail and imagery you provided in this video. All of your videos are just absolutely incredible! Thank you so much for your excellent info-packed videos.

[@Tallorian]

30 years ago as a child I've read a book about some notable ship catastrophes, and this one was among them (btw it also leaned to the version of overload and disbalance caused mainly by people crowding on one side). Despite having no other connections to the area of accident, or to the story (I'm Russian and the book was by a Russian author), it got well-preserved in my memory; and it's absolutely amazing for me to re-visit it thanks to your video with all the animations, detailed history of the ship, photographs and correction of misconceptions. Brilliant work!

[@MountainCry]

As always, your historical photos overlaid with current day locations are amazing and bring history to life! Thank you.

[@wubaru]

Excellent videos sir. I didn’t realize it was an hour long with how you told the story. Keep up the great work!

[@olgreywolf9688]

Just adding to the many compliments here for your truly astonishing work on this video. Such a contrast to countless worthless wastes of time present on the site. Outstanding highest quality research work ...

[@karenhaley3444]

Astonishing video! Professional, thorough, utterly fascinating! Thank you.

[@bo7341]

This video was spectacularly done. Thank you and the historical society for bringing this story to life.

[@connorredshaw7994]

A terrible tragedy may all those who died on the Eastland rest in peace. Thanks for the video Tom I hope you're Lusitania project is going well.

[@jayharr6250]

As a lover of maritime history i love your channel. Time and time again I am captivated with your story telling. Excellent presentation. Thanks for always entertaining me and educating me at the same time. I truly appreciate your stories. They are AWESOME!

[@TrevorNet]

One word in the video and it gets age restricted. That’s like putting your head in a paper sack while you’re getting robbed. Just because you can’t see them, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. There is probably more freedom of speech in the non-allied Korea.

[@DerpyPossum]

Breathtaking animations, brilliant information, awe-inspiring stories, and just when we all thought your production quality couldn’t be any higher 👍

[@Khanjikai]

I really appreciate how our Host uses miles per hour instead of knots. As a non-naval person, it allows me to learn about the subject in a way I can comprehend. I hope I will one day understand knots and ship speeds, but for now, I'm glad our Host uses lay terms and isn't concerned with gatekeeping.

[@sauter1]

Being a sailor I recoil a bit at anything but knots being used for a ship's speed..haha. But anyway, 1 knot (or 1 nautical mile per hour) = 1.1508 mph = 1.852 km/h

[@hoofarted]

Gatekeeping? Lol 😂😂😂

[@hoofarted]

😂😂😂😂

[@AmandaM22587]

I can trace my family in downtown Chicago back to the early 1800s and even today I live less than a mile from the Eastland disaster wreck site. My great great grandfather was a chauffeur/driver in the city and I often wonder what he was doing that day and if he was able to help. Thank you so much for this documentary, this was incredibly moving.