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844 People Lost Their Lives— and
Each One Had a Story
On July 24, 1915, the city of Chicago suffered a tragedy
that was witnessed by nearly 10,000 bystanders and claimed
more lives than the infamous Chicago Fire. Taking place in
broad daylight on the city’s bustling wharf side, it
was a heartbreaking maritime disaster that sorrowfully echoed
the sinking of the luxury liner Titanic just three years
earlier.
But the victims of this terrible mishap weren’t among
the world’s most rich and famous. They were everyday
people who worked hard for the right to enjoy a day’s
pleasure at a company picnic. They did not know that for
many aboard, this day would be their last. And the only thing
more shocking than the event that took their lives is the
fact that it has been all but forgotten. Until now…
Chicago, July 24, 1915: The day began like many other carefree
summer Saturdays. Over two thousand Western Electric employees
and their families, dressed in their finest, arrived early
at the riverfront to board the Eastland, a bold and breathtaking
steamship. That morning the boat was scheduled to ferry its
passengers to the annual company picnic in Michigan City.
Suddenly, as it sat in port, the Eastland began to list.
While thousands of people watched in horror, the ship rolled
to its side and silently capsized, killing a staggering 844
people….
Unlike the fabled sinking of the Titanic three years before,
the Eastland disaster has somehow been lost within the annals
of recent American history. Now award-winning writer and
Chicagoan Jay Bonansinga has set out to discover why—and
the result is a historical thriller that details a real-life
drama with all the excitement and suspense that a remarkable
storyteller can deliver.
Using eyewitness narratives, rare archival materials, and
touching, first-hand accounts from those who escaped with
their lives, Bonansinga pieces together the untold story
of the sinking of the Eastland in the only book ever devoted
to the human drama of the subject. Bringing to life all the
sights and sounds of 1915 Chicago, Bonansinga recounts minute
by minute the extraordinary events of that fateful day. He
explores the secrets behind the Eastland’s troubled
past, why the catastrophe could have been predicted, and
how safety measures taken in the wake of the Titanic disaster
ironically contributed to the Eastland’s demise.
You’ll meet the master of the Eastland,
Captain Harry Pederson, whose behavior before, during, and
after the wreck
would be scrutinized for years to come; the Eastland’s crew, some of whom became helpless victims of the wreck;
both lucky and unlucky passengers, including a thirteen-year-old
girl faced with the fight of her life; and a young mechanic
who became one of the day’s unsung heroes. At once
riveting and poignant, The Eastland honors the forgotten
victims of this tragedy, while bringing to life a haunting,
bygone era.
Jay Bonansinga is the award-winning author of seven novels.
The Chicago Tribune has called him “one of the most
imaginative writers of thrillers.” Several of his titles
are currently in development as major Hollywood movies, and
his work has been translated into eleven languages. He is
a longtime resident of the Chicago area and is a visiting
professor at Northwestern University. He lives with his wife
and two sons in Evanston, Illinois. You can visit his Web
site, www.jaybonansinga.com.
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