The SS Eastland was a passenger steamship that primarily served Chicago during the early 20th century. On July 24, 1915, it was preparing to embark on a day trip with employees and their families from the Western Electric Company to a picnic at Hamilton Park. As the passengers boarded, the ship became unstable, leading to a catastrophic capsize while still tied to the dock. Over 2,500 people were on board at the time, and as the ship turned on its side, panic ensued. Passengers rushed to the upper deck in a desperate attempt to escape the rising water. Tragically, many were trapped inside the ship or thrown into the river.Rescue efforts by local authorities and citizens ensued, but the chaos contributed to the high casualty numbers. It was reported that some individuals were saved thanks to nearby boats and rescuers who braved the dangerous conditions. Though the ship was designed to hold a significant number of passengers, its design flaws and the excessive number of onboard passengers contributed to the disaster. Investigations revealed that the ship had been improperly loaded, and the tragedy led to serious assessments regarding maritime safety regulations in the United States and changes in ship design.