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Today in Chicago History: SS Eastland capsizes in the Chicago River; 844 people drown

Stranded passengers wait on the hull of the SS Eastland on July 24, 1915, as the tugboat Kenosha serves as a floating bridge to let survivors reach safety after the Eastland steamship rolled over on its side. The Tribune wrote, "The biggest factor in the business of life-saving was the Kenosha. Apparently its captain realized what was coming before the Eastland's own officers." (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Stranded passengers wait on the hull of the SS Eastland on July 24, 1915, as the tugboat Kenosha serves as a floating bridge to let survivors reach safety after the Eastland steamship rolled over on its side. The Tribune wrote, “The biggest factor in the business of life-saving was the Kenosha. Apparently its captain realized what was coming before the Eastland’s own officers.” (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 24, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Flashback: July 25, 2012

William Balfour, who was convicted in the deaths of three family members of singer Jennifer Hudson, was sentenced on July 24, 2012, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. (Chicago Tribune)
William Balfour, who was convicted in the deaths of three family members of singer Jennifer Hudson, was sentenced on July 24, 2012, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. (Chicago Tribune)

William Balfour was sentenced for killing three of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson’s family members in 2008. The motive, sources told the Tribune, was an ongoing domestic squabble among Balfour; his estranged wife, Julia Hudson (Jennifer’s sister); and Hudson’s family members. Judge Charles Burns imposed consecutive life sentences in the deaths of Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew.

“Your heart is an arctic night, and your soul is as barren as dark space,” Burns told Balfour in a shaky voice.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 105 degrees (1934)
  • Low temperature: 53 degrees (2000)
  • Precipitation: 3.64 inches (2010)
  • Snowfall: Trace (1911)
A victim is carried up the SS Eastland as the steamship lies on its side in the Chicago River after slowly rolling over and drowning 844 people July 24, 1915. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
A victim is carried up the SS Eastland as the steamship lies on its side in the Chicago River after slowly rolling over and drowning 844 people July 24, 1915. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1915: The SS Eastland — packed with Western Electric Co. employees and their families for a day trip to Michigan City, Indiana — rolled to its side in the Chicago River between LaSalle Drive and Clark Street.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Eastland disaster and its aftermath

More than 840 people of the 2,500 aboard died, many of them trapped inside the vessel as water poured in when the ship tipped over only a few feet from the riverbank.

1934: Chicago recorded its hottest temperature — 105 degrees.

Sid Luckman, right, shakes the hand of Chicago Bears owner George Halas after signing a two-year contract with the Bears in July 1939. Luckman broke out into another smile a bit later when he was told he had been elected to a place on the Tribune's All-Star squad. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Sid Luckman, right, shakes the hand of Chicago Bears owner George Halas after signing a two-year contract with the Bears in July 1939. Luckman broke out into another smile a bit later when he was told he had been elected to a place on the Tribune's All-Star squad. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1939: Columbia University halfback and future Hall of Famer Sid Luckman signed his first contract with the Chicago Bears after he was selected by the team with the second pick of the 1939 NFL draft.

The 6-foot, 197-pound Brooklyn native was voted first-team All-Pro five times in the 1940s.

The Bears have won nine championships in their 99-year history. Luckman was the quarterback for four of them, in 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1946. In 1943 he won the Joe F. Carr Trophy as the NFL’s most valuable player. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.

The dark secret behind the success of Sid Luckman, the greatest Bears quarterback ever

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