Milford chronicle., 1915-07-30
FISTLAND DEAD
ESTIMATED 1901.
II Recovered From Over
turned Steamer.
Id REPORTED MISSING

Z. Hull ana SdHiiS+
rr,tn Vessel is Raised.
oficial number of bodies re-
lls '.d from the steamer Eastland
csiooeo 1.tr as given by Coroner Hoff-
was S17. The carefully checked
.D ~ tbe missing prepared by the
.,on Electric Company contain
names and was slowly being
..osed This brings the approx
~ loss of life to 1901.
rirsrs engaged in rescue work re-
,,tsd TO Coroner Hoffman, that they
.r.red there were about 200 bodies
m IN the hull, many Of which are
such a position they cannot be
ban ont until the vessel is raised.
plans for raising the steamer are
complete. When wrecking dredges
20 nlaced the steamer on its keel
bul will be pumped out and a
,rshl search made for more bodies.
\ will take several days to raise
steamer. Dynamite will then be
nd in the river bed to release those !
5ies which may be stuck in the
bud.
The city council, at a special meet
|, decided to investigate the disas-
II The resolution delegated the
5,mmlttee on harbors, wharves and /
siges to conduct the inquiry.
The council also passed resolutions
,ling upon the citizens to contribute
4 the extent of their means to a re-
4 fund. The fund has passed the
|l;O,OOO mark.
The alderman in another resolu-
su asked Secretary Of Commerce
ssifeld to name a special commits
Ion to conduct the government in
Iesigation Of the Eastland.
The first funeral services for the
ashland victims took place on Mon
sy, when more than 300 corteges
sssed through the streets of the
fty. Arrangements have been made
hold services for some of the va
bus victims every day of this week.
In several instances the same SER
Ice was said over two or three vic
ms, members of the same family.
Various theories as to what caused
e Eastland to turn over were dis
ssed, but without prospect OF a def
te explanation being reached until
G official inquiries to be taken are |
ished. The most discussed theories q
E four: /
That the boat was overloaded; that {
e was not properly ballasted; that s
tug that made fast to warp the 4
stand from the docks started pull
too soon; that congestion of pas S
igers rushing to the port side, at C
cted by some passing sensation O
ped the steamer over. T
Inder misty skies, 1000 women and Il
dren wended their way to the a
TX street dock to fill five large f,
steamers with holiday mirth in
Up to Michigan City. The steamer N
tland was the first to be loaded. fl
ain began to fall as the wharf h.
srintendents lifted the gang planks
the Eastland, declaring that the
9Fnment limit of 25OO passengers
been reached. White dresses r
Jed from raincoats along the
e rail as those on board waved
0ye to friends on shore waiting ri
oard the steamer Theodore Roose- n
and other vessels.
len the passengers swarmed to l.,
Ell side of the ship, as the other ~
ners drew up the river towards ~
wharf. A tug was hitched to the ~
and, ropes were ordered cast off 81,
Ine steamers engines began to 81
The Eastland had not budged, ~ ~
YER Instead the heavily laden -
Wayered sidewise, leaning first -,
's the river bank. The lurch .
SO startling that many passen- ="
joined the large concours al - -
On the river side of the decks. a.
cams from passengers attracted a. a.
IIention of fellow excursionists ~
E dock awaiting the next steam
'narimen and picknickers soon
the edge of the embankment, sb
ing out helplessly towards the
ing steamer.
nearly five minutes the ship c..
before it finally dived Hnder mr.
VIII current of the river, which, 60,
70 the drainage canal system, a..
from the Lake. During the 20
turning of the ship, with its
OF humaHty, lifeboats, chairs ob.
ner loose appurtenances on the -, G
shpped down the sloping floors, -,
lg the passengers towards the tha a.
waters. tne
tnere was a plunge with a ~.
L air escaping from the hold N'-
q with crying of children and 4
Oh women and the ship was A
bottom of the river, casting Ste
Us OF living creatures to the bia
sank, entagled with clothing inc
inales, and did not rise, but hon
US came to the surface, seized ~
chairs and other objects. ond
On shore threw out ropes and Mi
! In those who could hold Ia
lie lines. Employees of COM
nrms along the river threw
chicken coops and other float G
lhgs into the current, but most kill,