The History

Organized Response

“QUICK AND SYSTEMATIC ACTION WAS REQUIRED on that sad occasion and too much cannot be said in commendation for those of you who went into the dark depths of the vessel and recovered so many of the bodies of men, women and little children." -- the Office of the Fire Marshal

Countless organizations admirably responded in the minutes and hours after the Eastland capsized in the Chicago River, including: the Chicago Fire Department and Fire Insurance Patrol, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Department of Health, United States Coast Guard, professional divers, hospitals and more were critical in saving lives and recovering victims.