SS Eastland

The SS Eastland was a passenger ship built in the early 20th century, primarily used for transporting people around the Great Lakes. On July 24, 1915, while docked in Chicago, the ship suddenly capsized laterally into the river, trapping over 2,500 passengers and crew inside. The disaster resulted in the deaths of at least 844 people, making it one of the worst maritime accidents in U.S. history. The sinking was caused by improper weight distribution and design flaws that compromised its stability, and the tragedy highlighted the need for improved safety standards in ship construction and operation.