...kept vigilance around the Eastland...
John McFarlane and his partner, John Palmer, were on duty for the Police Pier and Harbor Service the morning of July 24, 1915. When they learned of the Eastland Disaster in the Chicago River, they immediately took their speedboat and went to the Clark Street dock. Upon arriving at the scene they were able to aid in the rescue and recovery of passengers from the water.
Following that tragic day, McFarlane and Palmer kept a daily vigilance in the Chicago River, assigned to protect the Eastland from sight-seeing boats which tried to get close to the overturned ship. The two police officers had no days off for several weeks as they continued this assignment until the Eastland was righted.