The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank 40 years ago today. The American Great Lakes freighter sank in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29. When launched on June 7, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there. Carrying a full cargo of ore pellets with Captain Ernest M. McSorley in command, she embarked on her ill-fated voyage from Superior, Wisconsin, near Duluth, on the afternoon of November 9, 1975. En route to a steel mill near Detroit, Fitz joined a second freighter, SS Arthur M. Anderson. By the next day, the two ships were caught in a severe storm on Lake Superior, with near hurricane-force winds and waves up to 35 feet (11 m) high. Shortly after 7:10 p.m., Fitzgerald suddenly sank in Canadian waters 530 feet (160 m) deep, about 17 miles (15 nautical miles; 27 kilometers) from Whitefish Bay near the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario—a distance Fitzgerald could have covered in two hours at her top speed. Although Fitzgerald had reported being in difficulty earlier, no distress signals were sent before she sank; Captain McSorley's last message to Anderson said, "We are holding our own." Her crew of 29 perished, and no bodies were recovered. The sinking of Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the best-known disasters in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Gordon Lightfoot made it the subject of his 1976 hit song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" after reading an article, "The Cruelest Month," printed in Newsweek's November 24, 1975, issue. (This is one of Mom's most favorite songs - we hope you enjoy and remember those who perished.)
Mommy remembers when this happened. It was sad then and still is. The song was very moving.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an interesting shipping history... not one those of outside of US are likely to know. I think any who sail the wider waters have a courage beyond reason. Or is that some kind of crazy? Loved the song. YAM xx
Lady was only 5 months old when this happens, but she knows the song well!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm think we'll cross cruising the great lakes on our bucket list. But thanks for the history lessons.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favorite songs too. It was great to hear it again. I didn't realize it sank only 40 years ago. Great story.
ReplyDeleteThis is also one of our Mama's most favorite songs....thanks for sharing the song and all this cool information!!!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Thanks for the history lesson. We bow our prayers in honor of those who lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Ciara and Lightning
Mom and dad have seen Gordon Lightfoot perform this song in person many times. He is one of their very favorite folk singers!
ReplyDeleteWe agree that song is pawtastic
ReplyDeleteWe lived just outside of Detroit when this happened and still remember it well. With the recent loss of El Faro, it was almost like history repeating itself...same scenario, different location.
ReplyDeleteThat was interesting to read about this ship... it's so sad that 29 sailors lost their life... is there any hypothese or theory what happened during the last minutes before the sinking?
ReplyDeleteMy sister was a big Gorden Lightfoot fan so I remember learning of the story that way. However, I never realized it was a modern wreck. I always thought it had happened in the more distant past.
ReplyDeleteMom heard that song all through her school days, living on the Great Lakes we always are reminded each year on the anniversary about the terrible tragedy. Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteThis song was real popular in Germany. Mom never thinks much about the song or the ship.
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