The: “Romeno”
was coming down from the shores off: “Newfoundland.”
Unfortunately she sank thirteen minutes into her voyage.
Author’s
Note:
“Everyone
aboard the Steamer Romeno was saved.”
Keeper
Charles Carlson
In
1876, at the age of thirty, Captain Charles Carlson migrated to the United
States. Just off the shores of: “Hull,
England,” I spent twenty-five months deep-sea fishing, in the North Sea, My
time in “Hull” was interesting but I
was getting restless. After weighing my options, I decided to ship out on a
vessel bound for: “Spain.” In April
1887, my next voyage was aboard “Scotia”
out of: “Buffalo, New York.” I made
two trips on the: “Scotia” that was bound
for the “City of Chicago.”
In 1890, Charles married Barbara (“Sommers”) Carland in Hasting, Minnesota. Barbara Sommers was born in Ohio in 1850. On the 14th day of September 1892, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Charles & Barbara’s son Frank B. Carland was born. At the time of my birth, my father was stationed at: “Milwaukee Lifesaving Station.” This particular station was situated in the “State of Wisconsin,” along the shores of: “Lake Michigan.” On the 21st day of November 1893, I became a: “United States Citizen.” My citizenship sponsor was Jacob Sinniger, Keeper-in-Charge of: “Jackson Park Lifesaving Station.” Captain Carland spoke fluent: “English” and he had an excellent understanding of the “English” language.
In 1890, Charles married Barbara (“Sommers”) Carland in Hasting, Minnesota. Barbara Sommers was born in Ohio in 1850. On the 14th day of September 1892, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Charles & Barbara’s son Frank B. Carland was born. At the time of my birth, my father was stationed at: “Milwaukee Lifesaving Station.” This particular station was situated in the “State of Wisconsin,” along the shores of: “Lake Michigan.” On the 21st day of November 1893, I became a: “United States Citizen.” My citizenship sponsor was Jacob Sinniger, Keeper-in-Charge of: “Jackson Park Lifesaving Station.” Captain Carland spoke fluent: “English” and he had an excellent understanding of the “English” language.
Author’s
Note:
“In 1918 Captain Carland was
responsible for rescuing fifty-four orphans that were stranded during the Ohio
River Flood.”
United
States Lifesaving Service
In
April of 1890, I applied for an appointment with the United States Lifesaving
Service. I passed the written examination and my physical as per U.S. Government
regulations. In 1891, the first station I was assigned to was in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin and my rank at that time was “Surfman.”
At that time Captain N.A. Peterson was the Keeper-in-Charge. He was responsible
for the upkeep and maintenance of the station that was constructed along the
shores of: “Lake Michigan.” On the 5th
day of April 1898, I was appointed to the position of: “Acting Keeper.” I served in this capacity for about six weeks. Weeks
later, I received my permanent appointment to Keeper-in-Charge. The appointment
was approved by the: “Government.” I
was now fully responsible for: “Milwaukee
Lifesaving Station” and those dedicate Surfmen who served alongside me.
Here is a list of those men:
o
Frank
Gerdis Surfman No. 1
o
Henry
Sinnegan Surfman No. 2
o
William
Peterson Surfman No. 3
o
John
Allie Surfman No. 4
o
Julius
Meyers Surfman No. 5
o
Charles
Johnson Surfman No. 6
o
Immel
O. Peterson Surfman No. 7
o
Richard
Wacksmith Surfman No. 8
They were all fine able body of men and each of them were: “Expert Boatmen’s.” Several of them were: “Seamen” before they were assigned to my station. During his long and outstanding career, Charles Carland received many accolades. Here is just one of them:
They were all fine able body of men and each of them were: “Expert Boatmen’s.” Several of them were: “Seamen” before they were assigned to my station. During his long and outstanding career, Charles Carland received many accolades. Here is just one of them:
“Charles Carland is the right man and in the right place.”
The “U.S. Government” noted: Captain Carland was a well-rounded sailor. He had plenty of experienced and was a very reliable man for the position he held. The: “Government” noted, Carland is a self-made man, a born sailor and has the right stuff to run this station.
1898 Rescues (Milwaukee Lifeboat Station)
The
most important assistance rendered to vessels in distressed and those mariners
clinging to life; was the appointment of Captain Carland appointment to the: “Milwaukee Lifesaving Station.” Since I
took over the reins, there have been less than fourteen wreck reports written
in the station logbooks.
Schooner
D.P. Dobbins (Capsizes)
On
4th day of April 1898, the: “Schooner
D.P. Dobbins,” was in need of help. The crew managed to get her back into port.
One of the men apparently drowned, while Julius Meyers, Surfman No. 5 was on
beach patrol. The: “Schooner Alida,”
sprang a leak on 24th day of July 1898. My crew rescued seven men
from the schooner. On the 3rd day of August 1898, the crew and I pulled
under oars some fifteen miles out into the Lake Michigan. We were rowing: “North” of our station. As we made our
way along the lake, the seas became very dangerous. We continued to row on as
the waves kept pushing our boat about. In our minds, we knew there were at
least six crew members aboard the: “Scow
Dan Hayes.” The “Scow” was being
dismantled by the heavy seas and was floundering helpless as the seas continued
to toss her about like a rag doll. We managed
to pull all six of them off the floundering vessel. On the 17th day
of August 1898, we were called out to relieve the: “Schooner Abbie.” The vessel had sprung a leak and was struggling
to stay afloat. A little later on, we called out to save two people who were
aboard a couple of skiffs that were being tossed about on the lake. A man had
fallen asleep on skiff and was in need of assistance. The fisherman in the
other skiff was also struggling amidst the breakers near: “South Bay.” On the 25th day of October 1898, the: “Schooner Barbarian,” whose home port
was the: “City of Chicago” was caught
up in sixty miles an hour gale force winds that were blowing across Lake
Michigan. The crew and I rescued all seven men off the helpless: “Schooner Barbarian.” On the 20th day of November 1898, we
saved two fishermen from a watery grave after their boat capsized.
Author’s Note:
“There
small fishing boat capsized while the men were fishing out on Lake Michigan.”
In mid-June of 1901, it seems my good fortune ran out. On the 20th day of June 1901, the: “Minneapolis Journal” published a newspaper article in the: “Tuesday Evening.” The article that was published about me was rather large. The title of the article was: “Shipping New of the Lakes”
My name was one of many names and statements that
appeared in this newspaper article. The newspaper stated, that I was being
removed from my position by: “United
State Lifesaving Service, Secretary Gage.” The reason for my removal was
stated something like this:
“Captain Charles Carland was being brought up on: “Insubordination Charges.” These allegations were brought against two of the Surfmen who worked at the Lifesaving Station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”
The U.S. Government decided to review the: “Insubordination Charges.” During their review they found those two Surfmen innocent of all charges. Subsequently, with the finding in, both men were cleared by: “Secretary Gage.” He removed me from my position as Keeper-in-Charge. On the 29th day of June 1901, I received a tentative appointment as Keeper-in-Charge of “Plum Island,” however due to my record being under strict scrutiny, I was promptly transferred to: “Plum Island Coast Guard Station.” On the 11th day of July 1901, I was quickly transferred to: “Old Chicago Lifesaving Station.”
Tugboat
Indiana (Assists
in Rescue Efforts)
The
“Tugboat Indiana” was one of the
first vessels to take passengers off the overturned Steamship Manitou. It was
about week ago last Saturday, the: “Steamer
Manitou” was now stuck on a: “Sand
Bar.” The “Tugboat Indiana” was
called in to pull her off. Captain
Charles Carland and his crew Surfmen were also called out to assist in this
particular lake operation. Carlson and his crew were there in the event the
steamer capsized. The tugboat crew tied lines to the steamer and then went
about pulling her off the sand bar. What make this so significant, is even though
she was stuck, we managed to pull her free. About an hour after her scheduled
arrival time the, “Steamer Manitou” pulled
into her Chicago River berth at Rush Street.
Author’s Note:
“In
1893, the Lake Superior Transportation Company introduced the steel passenger
Steamer Manitou for the very first time. The steamship was constructed and
eventually launched along the shores of Lake Michigan. According to her
manifest, the Manitou would cruise from Chicago, Illinois along the shores of
northern Michigan and then make her way to other Lake Superior ports.”
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Old Chicago Lifesaving Station
Here
are a few of the actual accounts from “Old
Chicago Lifesaving Station” keeper’s logbook starting on: “The 18th day of July 1915 and
ending on Tuesday the 27th day of July 1915.” All of these entries
were handwritten, signed and approved by: “Surfman
No. 1, William E. Preston.” Preston’s signature was authorized by the Clerk
to the Superintendent of the Twelfth District: “Clayton Vanden Berg.” The “Keeper-in-Charge”
at that time was: “Captain Charles
Carland”
Handwritten
Accounts
On
Monday the 19th day of July 1915, the station crew was busy cleaning
the lifeboats. Captain Charles Carland, Keeper-in-Charge was summoned by Cook
County Coroner, Peter Hoffman office.
Hoffman asked me to participate as a member of the: “Coroner’s Jury.” Captain Carlson and the eight other juries were
about to hear testimony during an investigation of two young women and three
young men who drowned along the city shoreline. According to the station logbook
these five people were bathing around the early evening hours at: “Cornelia Bathing Beach.” This particular
bathing beach area was less than 5½ miles “North” of the: “Old Chicago
Lifesaving Station.”
According to several eye witnesses:
“These
five young people were last scene at the bathing beach around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday evening the 18th
day of July 1915.”
I left my station post at: 10:00
a.m. and I started walking towards the: “Coroner’s Office.” Surfman
No. 1, William E. Preston was anticipating my return to the Lifesaving
Station just before: 4:00 p.m. that same evening. On
Tuesday the 20th day of July 1915, Captain Carland was again “Absent” from his post. According to the
logbook, I was back at the “Coroner’s
Office” and this time I had F. J. Hoake, Assistant Inspector, Twelfth
District, United States Coast Guard’s approval to take the time I needed to
serve as a member of the: “Coroner’s
Jury.” On Wednesday morning William E. Preston, Surfman No. 1, reported:
“Keeper-in-Charge Charles Carland was absent from: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.”
Reason given for my absence was listed as: “Personal Business” Over the next few days it was business as usual around: “Old Chicago Lifesaving Station.” Crew members were working around the station. During the early morning hours, they were taking classes and spending time participating in: “Lifeboat Drills”.
Carlson & His Crew (The “Eastland
Disaster”)
On
Saturday the 24th day of July 1915 at 7:30 a.m., the station
received a telephone call from R. H. McCreary, “Deputy Collector of Custom Homes.” He sounded rather panic
stricken as he spoke to me. As the call came in, William E. Preston, Surfman No. 1 had the duty watch that
morning. This is what Deputy McCreary told Surfman Preston:
“The Steamship Eastland Was Sinking!”
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Inside the Surfboat were Captain Charles Carland and these
seven dedicated crew members:
o
William
E. Preston, Surfman No. 1
o
S.
Nedeau, Surfman No. 2
o
E.
Kristofferson, Surfman No. 3
o
M.
J. Muzynski, Surfman No. 4
o
J.
LeClare, Surfman No. 5
o
G.
A. Lehne, Surfman No. 6
o
J.
Ericksen, Surfman No. 7
Surfman No. 2, S. Nedeau was scheduled to leave the station at: 8:00 a.m. on: “Regular Leave” and return to lifesaving station at “Midnight.” Unfortunately his leave was: “Cancelled.” As I dictated my thoughts to William E. Preston, Surfman No. 1, he wrote this in the station logbook:
“We found the “S.S. Eastland” had capsized with a load of passengers aboard. We estimated there were approximately 2,500 people on board and eighty crew members at the time she rolled on her side and sank into the muddy water. We succeeded in rescuing eight-four passengers from the steamship. We had the “Grim” task of recovering: 574 bodies in and around the capsized ship.”
On Sunday morning the 25th day of July 1915, the crew and I left the lifesaving station at: 7:30 p.m. Our destination was the capsized: “S.S. Eastland” that was lying on her side in the “Chicago River.” This time I only had four Surfmen with me:
o
William
E. Preston, Surfman No. 1
o
S.
Nedeau, Surfman No. 2
o
M.
J. Muzynski, Surfman No. 4
o
J.
LeClare, Surfman No. 5
A. E. Kristofferson Surfman No. 3 went on: “Regular Leave” at: 8:00 a.m. He was
scheduled to report back “On Station”
by “Midnight.” Our orders from the Twelfth
District Inspector were to: “Drag”
the Chicago River for bodies and do other work: “As Required.” We found the body of a young women floating near the
water’s edge. We turned her remains over to the governing authorities. In the
afternoon I sent, Surfman No.1, William E. Preston to the scene to: “Render All Possible Assistance” to
those victims of this maritime tragedy. The remainder of his crew reported back
to the station at: 3:00 p.m. Surfman No. 1, William Preston was back on scene at: 5:30
p.m. On Monday, the 26th day of July 1915 by 7:50
a.m., I had the following Surfmen leave for the: “S.S. Eastland” in our: “Power
Surfboat.”
o
William
E. Preston, Surfman No. 1
o
S.
Nedeau, Surfman No. 2
o
E.
Kristofferson, Surfman No. 3
o
M.
J. Muzynski, Surfman No. 4
Today my crew and I will work: “Two Shifts” as per our directive from the Twelfth District Office. We will continue to drag the Chicago River for bodies. Keeper Carland note: “None Were Recovered Today!” During the afternoon we rendered all types of services to those working the wreck site. We moved our efforts further down river. We continued to drag the waters near the mouth of the Chicago River. At: 1:45 p.m., the crew and I found a purse that had: $2.00 in it. Inside was some sort of identification that was pretty water logged. As I reviewed the contents inside the purse, I noticed it belonged to “Katherine Kerbel.” According to one of the items in the purse Katherine resided at: 1036 North Karlov Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois. I later discovered that:
“Katherine Kerbel lost her life while aboard the S.S. Eastland.”
We turned the purse and its contents over to the “Chicago Police Department.” The crew and I arrived: “On Station” at: 5:00 p.m. I recalled that one of us fixed dinner. All of us sat down to eat ate. Once dinner was done we cleaned up and left the station around at: 6:45 p.m. We arrived back at the site of the disaster. Our orders were to continue dragging the Chicago River until: 10:00 p.m. On Tuesday the 27th day of July 1915, the: “Old Chicago Lifesaving Station” crew spent the entire day overhauling and cleaning the: “Power Surfboat.” The crew and I had to replace some of the mechanical gears that were worn down and rounded over. My crew also overhauled the engine and transmission of the surfboat. I decided to suspend all boat drills for the remainder of the day. The temperature at sunrise was list as sixty-five degrees. There was a light breeze blowing out of the northeast, the surf on the Lake Michigan was calm and it was raining.
Somewhere in all the National Archives records I remember
reading: There was an account by someone who talked with Captain Charles
Carland, Keeper-in-Charge of: “Old
Chicago Lifesaving Station.” Carlson said:
“According to the courts a Human Life was
worth: $5K”
Author’s Note:
“If Captain Charles Carlson had been paid $5K for each of the lives he saved or helped saved over his thirty years of dedicated service, Keeper Carland would have been worth some $250K, if he was instrumental in the preservation of some 5,000 lives?”
“The Eastland Disaster saw “844 people” drown that day. This was one of the high spots in Captain Carland’s life! Charles and his crew of dedicated Surfmen saved the lives of eighty-four passengers and recovered some five hundred bodies from the capsized “S.S. Eastland.”
A few days later I received a package in the mail from
Peter M. Hoffman. Inside the envelope was a letter of “Thanks” and a “Silver Star”
bearing a reproduction of the “S.S. Eastland?”
The inscription engraved on the “Silver Star” said:
“For Value Services Rendered to the Coroner, Eastland Disaster 1915”
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On
the left is the S.S. Eastland docked at Wyandotte, Michigan in 1910,
Courtesy of Paul E. Petosky “Private Collection”
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Hero Has Passed
On
the 24th day of June 1940, Captain Charles Carland passed away. His
body was laid to rest in: “Arcadia Park
Cemetery and Mausoleum” located in Chicago, Illinois.
Author’s Final Thoughts
This
story gives you some real insight into the character and fortitude of Captain Charles
Carland and his dedication to his fellow man. Can I reasonably conclude that
Captain Carland was a: “Heroic Figure?”
In my mind, I would have to say: “Yes” & “No!” The reason for my
somewhat simplistic but yet indecisive answer is:
“If
it was not for the other dedicated Surfmen that worked right alongside him day
after day, Keeper Charles Carlson would not have been able to “Save” or “Preserve” the lives of some 5,000
victims!”
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