On May 6, 1903 the Eastland was launched at Jenks Shipbuilding Company, Port Huron, Michigan. While this
ship survived until 1946, then under the name USS Wilmette IX-29, she was involved in one of the greatest
maritime disasters in U. S. history. On July 24, 1915 she rolled over on her side in the Chicago River trapping
843 people inside, another man was killed during the rescue attempt.