'Eastland': Legacy of the 'Titanic'

by George W. Hilton

Overview

This is the first comprehensive account of the capsizing in 1915 of the steamer Eastland, an accident that killed more than 800 men, women, and children—the worst disaster of any kind in the history of Chicago and the worst in the history of the Great Lakes.

Reviews

"Hilton has written a comprehensive and exhaustive study of the worst disaster in Chicago's history. . . . Alterations and the addition of more lifeboats and rafts after the Titanic sank made the Eastland so unstable that it rolled over in the Chicago River. . . . The vessel's entire career is examined, and . . . the disaster itself is meticulously described and analyzed. Hilton also critically evaluates the subsequent civil and criminal court proceedings, raising a number of issues relating to marine safety regulations and the compensation of the victims' families."

—Choice

"Irony and tragedy combine in this account of America's worst marine disaster. . . . Hilton constructs a careful account of the events leading up to the calamity. The disaster itself is recounted minute by minute. . . . The numerous illustrations and period photographs, as well as numerous appendixes, make this a definitive account."

—Library Journal

"This is the book on the Eastland."

—Inland Seas

"It contains vivid accounts of drownings and rescues, heroism and cowardice."

—Chicago Tribune

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804728010
Publisher:	Stanford University Press
Publication date:	03/01/1997
Series:	Legacy of the Titanic
Edition description:	1
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.15(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.86(d)

Editorial Reviews

"This is a great book, the first full revelation of how one of America's most appalling marine disasters actually happened. The world of maritime history will find the work invaluable. Hilton's account of this exciting yet tragic story reflects a deep understanding of history, of naval architecture, of Chicago's ethnic makeup, and of law, both civil and admiralty. One hopes that this work will serve as a model for other maritime historians to follow."—Edwin F. Dunbaugh, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture

"The numerous illustrations and period photographs as well as numerous appendixes make this a definitive account."—Daniel Liestman, Seattle Pacific UniversityLibrary

"Hilton has written a comprehensive and exhaustive study of the worst disaster in Chicago's history. . . . Alterations and the addition of more lifeboats and rafts after the Titanic sank made the Eastland so unstable that it rolled over in the Chicago River. . . . The vessel's entire career is examined, and . . . the disaster itself is meticulously described and analyzed. Hilton also critically evaluates the subsequent civil and criminal court proceedings, raising a number of issues relating to marine safety regulations and the compensation of the victims' families."—Choice

"Irony and tragedy combine in this account of America's worst marine disaster. . . . Hilton constructs a careful account of the events leading up to the calamity. The disaster itself is recounted minute by minute. . . . The numerous illustrations and period photographs, as well as numerous appendixes, make this a definitive account."—Library Journal

"It contains vivid accounts of drownings and rescues, heroism and cowardice."—Chicago Tribune

"This is the book on the Eastland."—Inland Seas

From the Publisher

"The numerous illustrations and period photographs as well as numerous appendixes make this a definitive account."

Daniel Liestman

"Hilton has written a comprehensive and exhaustive study of the worst disaster in Chicago's history. . . . Alterations and the addition of more lifeboats and rafts after the Titanic sank made the Eastland so unstable that it rolled over in the Chicago River. . . . The vessel's entire career is examined, and . . . the disaster itself is meticulously described and analyzed. Hilton also critically evaluates the subsequent civil and criminal court proceedings, raising a number of issues relating to marine safety regulations and the compensation of the victims' families."

Choice

"It contains vivid accounts of drownings and rescues, heroism and cowardice."

Chicago Tribune

"This is a great book, the first full revelation of how one of America's most appalling marine disasters actually happened. The world of maritime history will find the work invaluable. Hilton's account of this exciting yet tragic story reflects a deep understanding of history, of naval architecture, of Chicago's ethnic makeup, and of law, both civil and admiralty. One hopes that this work will serve as a model for other maritime historians to follow."

Webb Institute of Naval Architecture - Edwin F. Dunbaugh

"This is the book on the Eastland."

Inland Seas

"It contains vivid accounts of drownings and rescues, heroism and cowardice."

Chicago Tribune

Irony and tragedy combine in this account of America's worst marine disaster. The Eastland was a Great Lakes excursion vessel that capsized while moored on the Chicago River, killing more than 800 people. The subtitle of this book is particularly telling, since following the loss of the Titanic a nationwide "boats for all" movement occurred. In anticipation of legislation mandating such changes, the Eastland added lifeboats. The additional weight contributed to the vessel's top-heaviness, causing the disaster. Hilton (American Narrow Gauge Railroads, LJ 2/1/91) constructs a careful account of the events leading up to the calamity. The disaster itself is recounted minute by minute, based on the court transcripts following the accident. The fate of the vessel after it was raised and recommissioned as a Coast Guard training vessel is also recounted. The numerous illustrations and period photographs as well as numerous appendixes make this a definitive account. The style is also accessible for nonnautical readers. Recommended for general collections.-Daniel Liestman, Seattle Pacific Univ. Lib.

Library Journal