SS Eastland

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ss-eastland

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the ship class?Excursion steamer
2. What is the year of launch?1903
3. What was the SS Eastland and why was it popular?The SS Eastland was a big sidewheel steamer launched in 1903 that carried people for day trips from Chicago. It was loved for its lively atmosphere and company outings.
4. Why did the SS Eastland sink in 1915?The ship had a high center of gravity and lifeboats on upper decks, making it unstable. On July 24, 1915, it listed and rolled onto its side in just 20 feet of water, causing many deaths.

Excursion Steamer: A steamship designed for short trips and sightseeing, often carrying large numbers of passengers.
Center of Gravity: The point where the entire weight of an object is concentrated; a high center of gravity can make a vessel unstable.
Maritime Safety Regulations: Laws and rules established to ensure the safety of ships, passengers, and crew at sea.
Salvaged: The process of recovering a ship or its cargo from a wreck or disaster.