By James Heinz
The greatest loss of life on a Great Lakes shipwreck occurred when the excursion steamer EASTLAND capsized while tied to a dock in the Chicago River on July 24, 1915. 844 people lost their lives on a ship that never left the dock.
EASTLAND disaster
Commercial divers were called to recover the bodies by entering the wreck to recover the bodies trapped inside. The work was hazardous, both mentally and physically. One diver lost consciousness for 30 minutes after his air hose was blocked. Another diver became so “hysterical” at the sight of all the bodies that the Chicago Police felt the need to “tranquilize” him by beating him unconscious with their clubs.
EASTLAND divers – Iver is 3rd person from left, the 2nd diver
One of these divers was Iver Johnsen. At age 45, he was assisted by his 17 year old son Walter. Iver was credited with recovering over 100 bodies from the wreck.
Andrew and grandfather Iver’s helmet
Recently, Iver’s grandson Andrew Iver Johnsen brought the helmet that Iver used on the EASTLAND to the Diving Equipment and Supply Company (DESCO) in New Berlin Wis. DESCO helmet savant Bill Pelky identified it as a Morse helmet with serial number 4F.
black brazing marks
Bill said that the helmet was constructed differently from the classic diving helmets that DESCO still makes. Instead of being built in one piece, it was built as tube with the top or crown brazed onto the tube, a process called “castellation”. In the accompanying photo, the black lines are where the top was brazed to the tube.
This is Iver or his son Walter in the suit
The helmet served Iver’s brother and his son Walter, all of whom were commercial divers. Andrew Johnsen only dives recreational SCUBA gear.
Iver and his wife
Iver Johnsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1870. He lived to age 81, continuing to dive until age 76.
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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.
