In 1960, the city of Chicago witnessed a humorous incident during an attempt to raise a sunken ship near the Chicago River, part of river improvement projects. A barge assigned to hoist the ship tipped over due to a miscalculation, causing its cargo to spill back into the water. Despite the dramatic mishap, no serious injuries were reported, and the event was regarded as a light-hearted spectacle by onlookers who found amusement in the unexpected turn of events.