Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-25

mated the number OF bodies to be
taken TO the Second Regiment ar
mory at 1900. OF these he said
500 had already reached the armory
from morgues and other places
where they were first taken.
CHICAGO, July 24.--More than
1000 persons, possibly 1900. most
OF them women and children, we're
drowned today within a few feet of
land by the capsizing OF the steel
steamer Eastland, as 1t was about to
leave its wharf in the Chicago river
with $500 relatives and friends of
employees Of the Western Electric
company, for an excursion across
Lake Michigan. The ship rolled on
its side in twenty-five feet OF water
within five minutes after 1t began to
list.
Coroner Spring tonight declared that
1900 persons were killed. while other
estimates ran as high as 1900. but these
did not agree with the statement that
not more than $500 passengers were on
board the vessel. During the day more
than 100 bodies were taken from the
river and the hull of the overturned
steamer, whose sides were cut open with
gas flames To admit divers.
Taken ont Alive.
Several persons we're taken alive from
the cabins In the ship after II had lain
on its aide in tho river for four hours,
but the 800 other persons said to be In
the hulk are all dead
Under the glare OF searchlights to-
night. scores OF men worked In the hull
Of the vessel 10 remove the bodies. The
steamer lay on the bottom OF the river,
one-half OF It protruding from the river.
The cause Of the capsizlng had not been
determined tonight. but federal city and
state officers were conducting investigs-
tions TO determine whether the ship was
tophesvy from faulty designing, was
improperly ballasten. or was poorly
handled in warping from the wharf.
Faulty I'm Design.
Marine aohiteots asserted that the East
land was faulty In design. that the top
deck had been removed, because OF the
tendency OF the ship to list and alse
pointed to the possibility tnat the snl2
had been unevenly. or insufflciently bal
lasted. The BastlAnd used water ballast.
so that It could pump out some on en-
tering shallow lake hArbors. and inves-
tigators are WORKING on a theory that
the ballast tanks were not filled and the
rushing of passengers on one side OF the
decks, causing II TO roll over.
Under misty skies. 1000 men. women
and children went to the river wharf
early today to fill five large lake steam
ers with holiday mirth In trip to Mich
igan City. The steamer Eastland. brought
to Chicago from Lake Erie. after an un-
satisfactory career. was the first TO be
loaded.
Rain began 10 fall as the wharf super
intendent lifted the gang plank from the
Eastland. declaring that the government
limit Of 1850 had been reached. White
dreases peeped from raincoats along the
shore rails. as those aboard waved good
bye to friends on shore waiting to board
the other vessels.
Does Not Bulge.
Then the passengers swarmed to the
left side OF the ship. as the other steam
ers drew up the river towards the wharf.
A tug was hitched TO the Eastland, ropes
were ordered cast off and the engines
began 10 hum The Eastiand had not
budged. however.
Instead. the heavily laden ship wavered
sideways. leaning first towards the river
bank The luroh was 80 startling that
many passengers Joined the large con-
coatrna m, tha oAher side of tha dAcl<a
Tho ship then keeled back. II turned
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