As a gamer with a deep-rooted passion for history and a knack for disaster management games, I found “Sink or Swim,” the opening episode of Chicago Med Season 10, to be an eerie yet captivating portrayal of a real-life tragedy – the Eastland Disaster. The chilling similarities between the fictional boat accident in the series and the historic Eastland Disaster were uncanny, serving as a stark reminder of one of Chicago’s darkest days.
Contains spoilers for “Chicago Med” Season 10, Episode 1 — “Sink or Swim”
During the initial moments of “Sink or Swim,” Chicago Gaffney Medical Center faces an unexpected emergency. This isn’t about Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) announcing that Jackson-Monroe Hospital is closing and part of its patients will be transferred here. Instead, it’s a massive accident involving a commuter ship colliding with another boat. The first vessel capsizes just a few feet from the dock, catching fire, flipping onto its side, and filling with water.
In a strange turn of events, this catastrophe presents both advantages and challenges: On the positive side, the boat’s proximity to the dock at the time of incident could facilitate rescue operations. However, the fire and capsizing complicate matters significantly for everyone involved in the rescue efforts. As reported through dialogue, Gaffney manages to save approximately 80 individuals. Unfortunately, 29 deaths have been confirmed by news broadcasts, with another 49 in critical condition.
The narrative evokes comparisons with the Eastland Disaster in Chicago, a maritime calamity that serves as a grim reminder. Although the Eastland capsized closer to the dock in the Chicago River on July 24, 1915, the scale of this incident was truly immense. Tragically, hundreds of lives were lost when the boat, which was already known for tilting to one side, eventually overturned completely, leaving behind an indelible memory of sorrow.
The Eastland Disaster took over 800 lives
On a typical day, the SS Eastland was tasked with transporting a significant number of employees from Western Electric to their yearly employee gathering in Michigan City, Indiana. However, this specific journey wouldn’t take them beyond the docks in Chicago. Tragically, some of these passengers would not even leave the city after this incident.
When the Eastland vessel suddenly leaned heavily towards the left, it was just 20 feet from the pier. Only about half of the ship sank beneath the water’s surface. However, out of the 2,572 individuals on board – both crew and passengers – a staggering 844 tragically lost their lives. Some were pinned by heavy furnishings as the ship tilted sideways. Others found themselves trapped below deck due to the rapid flooding, as the waters rose. Given its proximity to the dock and the numerous other boats nearby, the death toll was extraordinarily high.
In the following investigation, it was determined that the ship’s captain and engineer were responsible for the instability of the vessel due to overloading and poor management of its water ballast, as well as other issues. The faulty structure of the ship, exacerbated by recent flooring modifications, also played a role in the problems. The Eastland disaster, which claimed many lives, is still commemorated today through various means such as a memorial near the Chicago River, videos by YouTubers like Caitlin Doughty of Ask a Mortician, and dramatic portrayals on “Chicago Med” Season 10, Episode 1.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-26 14:59