The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-28

CHICAGO. July II. 80 Overlooking.
under. r.ballasting and grounding on the
river bottom were today cited In tes-
timony at the coroner's inquest As
reasons why the steamer Eastland top
pied over Saturday AZ its wharf ana
drowned hundreds OF excursionists.
Adam y Weckler harbormaster. ana
Joseph r. Lynn. assistant harbormas-
ter. both OF whom were present when
the steamer capsized with $500 per
sons. its licensed capacity aboard. In
ascribing the accident TO these causes
told the coroners jury that the boat
was cranky and should never nave
been permitted by government inspec-
tors TO carry more than 200 persons.
While the eoroner's jury was hear
ing this and other testimony. Secre-
tary OF Commerce Redheld looked
over the upset boat and watched div
ers combing the wreck and surround
ing waters recover three more bodies.
lie stated formally that government
supervision had not been lax and that
the Eastlahd had safely carried many
more passengers than were aboard
when the ship rolled over. He said
that federal officers would do every
thing possible % fix the blame. n
there was any. let. Il rest where it
might
Harbormaster weckler testified that
he arrived at the Eastlands wharf
twenty minutes before the steamer
was due TO start and saw that the
boat was listing TO port. He said ne
called to Captain Pedersen OF the
Eastland TO trim the vessel. shouting
that he would not open the Clark
street bridge until the boat was right
ed
Mr.. Weckler said the captain tried
to right the ship. but seemed unable
to take water into the ballast tanks
fast enough. The harbormaster said
he had no doubt that the tanks had
been pumped dry. but that the cap
tain should have been able to MI them
In from three TO six minutes II moth
ing had been wrong with the valves,
Heavily Laden.
II never saw the EasIland loaded
so heavily as II was Saturday morn
ing" said Mr.. wcckler. "and 7 have
seen her depart many times. The
boat first listed about seven degrees
then came back slightly and again
started over. and kept on going. 4
boat that Is difficult to handle under
all circumstances is known as q
cranky boat. and 7 have noticed this
Eastland to he cranky constantly.
Il don't think that the Eastland
should have been allowed to carry
more than 1900 passengers. because
IL did not have enough draft and sta.
bility 10 carry a larger load Only
last Tuesday ! told Captain Petersen
that his boat needed trimming as i,
was constantly travelling on its ears
lie said that the twin screws kept
the Eastland on an even keel while
under way.
After his arrest / heard Captain
Petersen say that he tried for seven.
teen minutes TO trim the steamer. but
could not get water into the ballast
tanks fast enough don't believe
that Captain Petersen realized the
danger until the final plunge came. d
Mr.. Lynn. assistant harbormaster
testified that he arrived just a. the
Eastland was due to start. lie saw
the dangerous list OF the steamship
and called the police and fire depart.
ments, returning 10 the wharf 10 see
passengers leaping from the decks "a
the river
u belivcd." said Mr. Lynn. that
the ship was on tho bottom aft Of mid
ship. n she lay on a bank slopire
towards the middle OF the river and
Ccontinusd on PsEs rsn.J