The Ghosts of The SS ''Eastland''

By Crusader1307

 The SS ''Eastland'' is known to some as The ''Titanic'' of The Chicago River (Chicago, Illinois). She did not perish from a collision, torpedo hit or even an iceberg. It was a design flaw that – while The ''Eastland'' was docked on The Chicago River on the morning of July 24, 1915 (3 years after the famed ''Titanic'' met Her end) – ''Eastland'' violently rolled to Port and capsized. 884 Men, Women and Children were crushed and drowned. In fact, of the casualties (2,500 Passengers and Crew were listed), 22 complete Families died – wiped out in a moment. The disaster brought hundreds of Police, Fire and average Citizens to The Chicago River to aid in the rescue. It would quickly become a recovery effort. Many Dock Front buildings were pressed into makeshift Morgues, as hundreds of bodies were laid – awaiting identification. In fact, most were taken to The Old Armory (National Guard) Building. In time, ''Eastland'' would be righted and fixed, ultimately being taken over by The US Navy as The USS ''Wilmette''. She served in a variety of roles during World War II (no combat service). In 1945, She would be scrapped.

But very early in Her tragic History, many strange reports began to surface. Once righted (1916), ''Eastland'' was Ported farther down The Chicago River (farther than Her initial, almost downtown location). A Port Captain was housed on board to monitor any damage and serve as Ship Security. After 3 months He was relieved, and very happy at the fact He would recall later. The Port Captain stated that it was common to ''hear the sounds'' of ''people running throughout The Ship'' and of ''cries and screams''. The Captain also reported ''Shadowy Figures'' – darting from ''this corner and that''.

Which brings us to The Old Armory Building. Long since torn down and rebuilt several time, the location would serve as the famed Harpo Studios of Television Personality Oprah Williams. Almost every Employee and Night Security Guard had a ''story''. Cold Spots, moans and cries where another common fixture. The outright feelings of sorrow, grief and anger were palpable it was said. The events became so well known locally, that several Paranormal Investigations of The Building were conducted. One, which involved Electronic Voice Recordings, ''picked up'' the sounds of ''people talking about The ''Eastland'' Disaster, as if it had JUST happened. Most Investigations concluded that there are ''presences'' in The Building.

The final experienced phenomenon most commonly reported – involve the many Tourists that walk along The Chicago River, to admire the lights of The City as they reflect off the waters. Only a small Plaque marks the Site of The ''Eastland Disaster'', and it can easily be overlooked. But as some have reported, in the dark of the night, the ''sounds'' of ''screaming and splashing'' can easily be heard. Urban Legend fanned by many years of local ''talk'', pranks or ''wishful thinking''....one this is sure, ''something odd'' is still going on at the site of one of the worst local Maritime Disasters in that State's History.