Eastland Disaster Memorial - Old Lighthouse, Michigan City, IN
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 43.379 W 086° 54.355
16T E 507825 N 4619025
Marker and anchor chain commemorating the eight hundred forty-four souls who perished in Chicago on board the Eastland as it prepared to steam to Michigan City.
Waymark Code: WMRMXQ
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 07/10/2016
Views: 2
From the Old Lighthouse Museum website: "July 24, 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the SS Eastland disaster. The Hawthorne Club made up of employees of the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works in Cicero Illinois chartered several excursion ships to carry approximately 7,000 employees and family members to Michigan City Indiana's Washington Park to enjoy the annual picnic. The SS Eastland was to be the first of the ships to depart Chicago for Michigan City. Tragically, the Eastland rolled over onto its port side in about 20 feet of water while still partially tied to the wharf in the Chicago River. Eight hundred forty-four of the 2,501 passengers on board perished. The victims included mostly young women and children. Twenty-two entire families were lost on that fateful day. To this day, the Eastland disaster represents the single greatest loss of life in Great Lakes maritime history.
The Michigan City Historical Society, Inc. Old Lighthouse Museum is planning (now complete) an Eastland Disaster Memorial to honor those lost in this unfortunate tragedy. It will be built on Michigan City's magnificent waterfront in early 2015 and completed in time to commemorate the 100th anniversary. An anchor chain made of 844 links will wind its way to the Trail Creek wharf where the SS Eastland was to have arrived on Saturday morning, July 24, 1915. One chain link for each lost soul symbolically represents the magnitude of the tragedy. Two cast bronze plaques will remind visitors of the historical significance of the event. Ship mooring bollards on the wharf will bear witness Michigan City's maritime heritage and indomitable hopeful spirit."
Stop in to the museum during your visit.
Disaster Date: 07/24/1915
Date of dedication: 07/25/2015
Memorial Sponsors: The Old Lighthouse Museum and the Michigan City Historical Society
Disaster Type: Technological
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
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