The Eastland Disaster: A Cameraman's Legacy
Harry and William Birch Collection. Eastland Disaster Photos. Harry Birch.
Several pages from the Birch family scrapbook featuring photographs of the aftermath of the sinking of the S.S. Eastland in Chicago (Ill.).
Harry Birch and The Eastland Disaster
Harry Birch (1895-1968) had a remarkable media career, capturing significant events such as the Eastland Disaster. His work is preserved in the Harry and William Birch Collection at the University of South Carolina.
The SS Eastland Disaster: On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland, a Great Lakes passenger ship, capsized while moored at the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago. Over 2,000 employees of Western Electric Co. had boarded for a day trip. The ship listed hard to port, took on water, and quickly settled on the riverbed, resulting in the deaths of over 800 passengers.
Harry Birch's Role: Harry Birch, a young cameraman newly arrived in Chicago from Los Angeles, responded to the disaster almost immediately. He worked for the Rothacker Film Co. and the Chicago Tribune Animated Newsreel. Harry’s footage from that day was crucial, capturing the rescue efforts and the aftermath of the disaster. His films reached audiences both nationally and internationally.
Testimonies and Recordings: The Harry and William Birch Collection holds two key audio testimonies documenting Harry’s experiences on the day of the Eastland sinking. The first is a brief audio clip in Harry’s own words, partially recorded over with music. The second is an audio tape made by his son Bill, who reviewed and summarized the content of Harry’s original recording, providing additional context and information about the events Harry witnessed and filmed.
The Chicago Tribune
A letter from the Chicago Tribune, dated October 14, 1915, commending Harry Birch for his exceptional photography of the Eastland disaster. The letter highlights Birch's work as some of the best and most impactful photography of the tragedy.
Harry Birch's Career: The Eastland Disaster significantly boosted Harry Birch’s career as a newsreel cameraman. He went on to work for Gaumont-Mutual News and Fox News, becoming a prominent figure in the Chicago news scene. Harry was instrumental in founding Local 666 and transitioned into making industrial films and working in television.
Bill Birch's Legacy: Inspired by his father’s work, Bill Birch pursued a career in news cinematography. He worked for Fox Movietone News and filmed with Frank Capra’s Signal Corps outfit during World War II. Bill later established NBC Network News in Chicago and remained active in television news through the 1970s, expanding his work to include feature films and significant documentaries. His son, Randy Birch, continued the family tradition by becoming a television news cameraman for NBC.
Family Efforts to Preserve History: Despite efforts to locate Harry Birch’s original film of the Eastland disaster, only two fragments have been found in European film archives. These fragments, discovered at the EYE Film Institute in the Netherlands, strongly support the claim that Harry Birch was the cameraman. The University of South Carolina’s Moving Image Research Collections houses the Harry and William Birch Collection, preserving this important historical legacy.
To learn more about Harry Birch
Please visit the Harry and William Birch Collection (DIGITAL COLLECTIONS of the University of South Carolina Libraries) to view the contributions of Harry Birch, including his Eastland Disaster Photo Album.
Harry Birch and family are also featured on the Smithsonian’s Channel, America in Color series, Season 1, Episode1, the 1920s. Harry was one of the first people to make some of the earliest known home movies!
From Wikimedia Commons
. This is a Cameraman's Title and Dispatching Sheet from Fox News, filled out by Harry Birch for a film coverage of the baseball scandal trial in Chicago. The sheet, dated September 24, 1920, details specific scenes filmed, including general courtroom views, jurors exiting the court, and close-ups of key figures such as Judge Charles A. McDonald and William L. Veeck, president of the Cubs. The document indicates the film was 150 feet long and undeveloped at the time of shipment.
Harry Birch and Lucille Birch. Chicago circa 1917.
