Whatever comes out of the mock trial will likely be more conclusive than what happened in the aftermath 100 years ago.
The ship's captain, engineer and four company executives were charged with manslaughter and criminal carelessness in August 1915. All in the group were accused of loading the ship "greatly in excess of the number of persons the boat could carry with safety." They were also accused of operating the ship despite knowing it was in substandard condition and of hiring an incompetent engineer.
Captain Harry Pederson additionally was accused of not following the proper procedures and failing "to warn passengers to leave the Eastland when it became apparent to him that she was about to overturn." Engineer Joseph Erickson faced similar charges.
But U.S. District Judge Clarence Sessions cleared the men, reasoning that there was not enough evidence to prove the group knew of or ignored problems with the ship.
In the end, no one was found criminally liable. Law at the time limited damages to the value of the ship which came to about $46,000 which went to pay claims of companies that provided coal to the ship and that towed the Eastland out of the river. Families received next to nothing.
Sure Wouldn't Have Happened Today.
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