A light list to port occurs once again. The port No. 2 ballast tank is not pumped out. The Eastland's capacity of 2,500 is attained and boarding is discontinued. The picnickers are now directed to board the Theodore Roosevelt on the east side of the Clark Street bridge. The Petoskey also begins to load passengers.
Preparations begin to bring the gangplank in.
The passengers show no inclination to follow his directive. A.M. Bradfield's Orchestra begins playing music on the promenade deck aft , attracting many of the passengers who begin dancing. He calls out to Walter Perry, a co-worker, to come to the window. The list to port worsens to an estimated 10 to 15 degrees. Erickson orders the valves opened to fill the No. 2 and 3 starboard ballast tanks.