..."I'll never forget the terrible scene"...
Lester Hessong told of his experience as a passenger on the Eastland. "I was on the main deck and had just started up toward the engine room when I noticed that the boat was listing. However, I thought nothing of this until a few seconds later when I realized that it really was going over. I then ran or really crawled to the starboard side and grabbed for the forward gangway door, pulling myself through the opening and on to the side of the boat, which was completely turned over by that time. Walking out on her side plates I, of course, realized immediately what had happened and went right to work assisting in the rescue."
Copyright © South Haven Tribune
reprinted with permission of South Haven Tribune