Speaker: David Nelson
David Nelson is a Eastland Historian. Grandson of Elmer Nelson -Eastland Rescuer and welder. He is Director of Remember the Eastland. Lecturer and historian, who informs the public of this 1915 worst maritime disaster and preserves its history with nautical error in ship-building and a cause of a great loss of life..844 people died.
The SS Eastland sinking was due to failed engineering. The ship sank in the Chicago River before heading to Michigan City, Indiana. The ship was known for cruising the Lake Michigan from Port Huron to Michigan City and Chicago. The speaker will cover the problems with the ship which had been known to the ship building company before the sinking. .
Program: Live and Zoom: SS Eastland Disaster
Speaker: David Nelson, lecturer and historian, Director of Remember the Eastland
Introduced By: Linda Karwisch
Attendance: NESC: 88; Zoom: 32
Guest(s): Bob Becker, Eduardo Alessandri
Scribe: Russell Judd
Editor: Ed Nitka
View a Zoom recording of this talk at: Today's Program 02242025
The talk today was about the S.S Eastland Disaster and was given by Dr. David Nelson, an Eastland historian. He is the grandson of Elmer Nelson who was an Eastland rescuer and welder. Dr. Nelson is the Director of "Remember the Eastland", a lecturer and historian who likes to inform the public of the 1915 maritime disaster and preserve its history. The sinking of the SS Eastland was due to failed engineering. It sank in the Chicago River before heading to Michigan City. The ship was known for cruising Lake Michigan from Port Huron to Michigan City. Problems with the ship were known to the ship's building company and this error resulted in the loss of 844 passengers. Dave was introduced by club member Linda Karwisch. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Nelson now resides in Fishers. Indiana. During his talk it was quite evident that he felt strongly about the tragedy and loss of passenger lives.
The Eastland was built to be an excursion ship from South Haven. He pointed out a lot of similarities between the Eastland and the movie The Poseidon Adventure. In the movie a ship was turned over by a wave and passengers struggled to get out and finally openings were created by means of a torch, much like what Dr. Nelson's grandfather did in Chicago. After the Eastland was built, it began to have a number of problems handling and sailing. It changed hands several times. In 1915 the ship was hired for an excursion starting on the Chicago River. 1300 people were loaded on the ship. Later that day the ship rolled over on its side and 834 people died. Fortunately, Dr. Nelson's grandfather was able to help by cutting a hole in the ship's side to allow some to get out.
There seemed to be several reasons for the disaster: poor management, overcrowding, too shallow channel, water ballast not filled and poor leadership by the captain.
Only about five of today's audience had heard about this disaster. Thanks to Dr Nelson for bringing it to our attention.
