Tarzan's Chicago Adventure: Eastland Survivor Faces 2nd Maritime Disaster
Collage of images created for “Tarzan's Chicago Adventure: Eastland Survivor Faces 2nd Maritime Disaster,” Flower in the River Podcast, Ep 45. Design by Natalie Zett ©2024
Introduction
In 1927, Johnny Weissmuller (AKA Tarzan) was present and provided rescue assistance when another ship, The Favorite, tipped and capsized in Lake Michigan. Gertrude Berndt, an Eastland Survivor, was on board and survived the Favorite as well. Other members of her family were not so fortunate.
Tarzan's Chicago Adventure: Eastland Survivor Faces 2nd Maritime Disaster
Each week brings a new chapter in my quest to unearth hidden stories from the Eastland tragedy. Just when I thought my journey had shown me all its secrets, I stumble upon a revelation that leaves me both gobsmacked and astounded!
Imagine uncovering the tale of Gertrude Rabjohn (or Rabjohns) Berndt, a remarkable survivor who escaped the clutches of fate not once, but twice in the capsizing of both The Eastland and The Favorite. Impressive, isn't it? But the plot thickens even more when Johnny Weissmuller, the iconic Tarzan, emerges as a part of this extraordinary narrative.
Exhaustive Research Underway
Unearthing Gertrude's tale was like finding a plot twist in a mystery novel—totally jaw-dropping. But here's the puzzle: her story is splashed across old newspapers, yet it's playing hide-and-seek in the books and databases I usually Sherlock around for Eastland characters. It's like she's the elusive Waldo of historical records. But hey, this is just the opening act. Keep your detective hats on—there's more sleuthing to come!
Importance of Primary Sources
It's a bit on the nose, but let's talk about the real MVPs of genealogy and history: primary sources. It certainly came up again as I was researching and writing the script for this episode. There's a place for the experts and the keepers of knowledge, sure. But let me tell you, I've hit a fair share of dead ends and tumbled off some unexpected ledges on my genealogy quests. Lesson learned? Take everything with a grain of salt until you've got solid citations to anchor it down. Trust, but verify – that's the genealogist’s mantra.
“A primary source is any record created during the time you are researching - an eyewitness account. Primary sources can take many forms, such as newspapers, letters, journals, tax lists, court documents, church records, or a census.” Library of Congress.
Images and Newspaper Clippings
Chicago Daily Tribune, Friday, July 29, 1927
Gertrude Berndt’s interview post-Favorite Disaster.
Favorite Disaster Survivors, including Gertrude Berndt, Edward Berndt and Lois Lorainne Berndt. Rockford Daily Republic, Rockford, Friday, July 29, 1927
Closeup of Johnny Weissmuller diving into Lake Michigan post-Favorite capsizing. Rockford Daily Republic, Rockford, Friday, July 29, 1927
Podcast Notes
"Tarzan's Chicago Adventure: Eastland Survivor Faces 2nd Maritime Disaster" is Episode 45 of Flower the River Podcast.
Highlights:
Email from listener in Austria
I’ll share an exciting update: an email from a family member of George Dobek, one of the victims of the Eastland disaster that I profiled in an earlier podcast episode (Beyond the Titanic: The Eastland Love Story of George and Theresa)
Story of Survival:
The incredible story of a woman who survived not only the Eastland Disaster but another maritime tragedy--The Favorite Disaster on July 29, 1927
Johnny Weissmuller’s Heroism
The tale of Johnny Weissmuller, best known as Tarzan(!), and his brother’s heroic actions during when The Favorite capsized on Lake Michigan.
Paris Times, July 30, 1927
Gallica (Bibliothèque nationale de France). The digital library of the National Library of France, offering access to millions of digitized documents. (source)
The story was covered in the English language Paris Times, July 30. 1927
