The Washington times., 1915-07-25

CHICAGO. July 25.-The passengers
Of the Eastland were responsible for
their own deaths. according to Jack
Elbert. gauge tender Of the steamer.
Ebert declares that, a great number
OF the passengers crowded to one side
of the boat when a launch came down
the river. resulting In the heavy listing
OF the ship. which was followed by the
capszing. as the human freight slid
across the decks to the port side.
He said he and J. NJ. Erickson. chief
engineer, escaped drowning by wading
through water In the hatch and crawl
ing out of a portfolio into the river.
Water Ballast System.
THE Eastland was kept stable by
means Of a water-ballast system" Ell
bert said. Water Is pumped into the
chambers In the ship until she becomes
steady. This Is done before even
freight is taken on board.
THE first thing noticed this MORN
ing was that the Eastland began to
lean to starboard. Erickson the chief
engineer. was in charge of the pumps
| used to pump the water into the cham
bers. He said. Boys. steady her up a
little and then we pumped water into
tho other side until she was up even
and all right.
We had just evened her up when a
launch came down the river and past
the Eastland. and the crowd OIL the
deck rushed over to portsidn 20 look
at 1t. The weight all on one side ap-
parently proved too much and the
Eastland began to list badly.
We worked frantically at the pumps
to try to bring her back. but she was
| too far gone"
A further statement from Ebert to-
day seems to settle the question upon
was expected to hinge: Whether the
boat WIS sufficiently ballasted to
make 1t reasonably safe.
He said:
Il d: not believe it would have hap
pcned in the lake, where the steamer
would have been drawing her proper
depth OF water. As it was, the bal
last tanks. kept full to prevent her
| listing. were empty when we entered
the river She would have drawn too
much water otherwise"
Two Other Theories.
Two other general theories have been
| advanced as to the cause Of the acct-
dent
One of which has gained much Gre
| dence here. although 1t has not been
| admitted by the steamboat company or
any of its employees. is that the water
ballast was let out Of tthe hull to enable
the boat to navigate the river In the
turning basin above the La Sale street
tunnel. This made 1t top-heavy, and
| when the listing began there was no
counter weight to prevent its capsizing.
Another theory is that the lines were
not cast off before the tug began pull
Ing the vessel toward the river, which
destroyed the equilibrium.
This theory Is advanced by William
| Flanagan. n lineman on the boat, who
| says the tug was pulling at the East
| land. although its lines had not been
| cast off. This Is denied by Arthur Nc
Donald. engineer of the tug who says
| that when the Eastland turned over the
towline had not been attached.
The police officer on duty at the dock
| says when the listing began the strain
| on the moorings was so great that the
| post over which the bowline was thrown
| began to break He at once sent In an
| emergency call. Some of the witnesses
say the listing was first noticedd fifteen
minutes before the caosize and before
] the gangplank was taken In.
The theory Of insufficient ballast ID