Karl Roseland and Lena Roseland - Sibling Survivors

Aug 9

Generative AI Art, reimagining the Roseland Siblings - Karl and Lena (Lina) @2024 Natalie Zett

GIRL, CAUGHT IN HULL, TELLS OF SHIP'S DIVE

By United Press

CHICAGO, July 26, 1915. - Miss Lina Roseland of bast Forty- second St., an Eastland survivor, told a thrilling story of being taken from amidst a score of corpses under one of the ship's big plates that was cut out with electromagnetic drills by the rescuers. She was recovering today from her experience.

"My brother Karl and I were standing near the rall on a lower deck when the Eastland tipped over," the girl said. "I lost Karl as the boat carried me down, until I felt the muddy bottom. 1 can swim and knew onouch to hold my breath. Then I began to rise.

TOUCHED VICTIM’S BODY.

"At last I felt air against my face but could ane nothing, Then I felt things bobbing all about me. As I touched the slippery side of the wall that was ahout me, my hand struck something soft.

"I had not recovered fully my senses and held on to it. Then suddenly the horrible realization of what it was came over me. It was a body.

"I screamed and felt myself fainting, but then I caught hold of a projection. I screamed again and heard an answering shout. I could not believe my ears. It was my brother's voice. He told me to be brave; that he had come in the state room next to me.

HEARD THE RESCUERS.

"I way bravo for a time and then I thought I would lose my mind. Several bodles, all of them of women or little children, would keep knocking against me however much I tried to climb higher.

"Then I heard the hammering and cutting as the men worked to cut away the plates. As a piece came away, a little light filtered through and as I started a prayer of thankfulnoss It was choked in my throat, for light fell on the upturned, staring faces about me. Then I partly lost consciousness.

"AT LAST THEY SAW ME."

"I fell back in the water with just sufficient consciousness and strength to remember to float on my back. I could see the men finally break through the plate. Then they began taking out bodies,

"I tried to call them, for as each corpse was lifted out, someone would say: 'Yes, I'm afraid they’re all dead. Then at last they saw me and pulled me out. Brother Karl was there, urging them on as I was pulled out minutes before taken out a few minutes before.”

The Toledo News-Bee - Google Books - July 26, 1915

Features Lena Roseland’s account.

Afterward:

Siblings, Lena Roseland and Karl Roseland, continued living together in Chicago. Karl worked as a toolmaker for Western Electric and Lena worked as dressmaker. They are buried together at Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois.

Lena Roseland, born 1868 in Sweden. Died 1960 in Chicago.
Karl Roseland, born 1878 in Sweden. Died 1978 in Chicago.

Learn more

In this video, we commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Eastland disaster by highlighting the individuals whose stories have been covered in our podcast since November 2023. These untold narratives honor the memory and legacy of those affected by the tragedy. Here is the link to the complete video: https://tinyurl.com/2bps9bvt

natalie zett

I've been a writer, actor, photographer, and musician and have worked as a freelance journalist for magazines and papers since I was in my late teens.

My favorite writing job was working for an award-winning community newspaper in Saint Paul, the Park Bugle.

I’ve also taught others how to write for community newspapers at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, MN. And, during the last few years, I became a family historian.

https://www.flowerintheriver.com