43 years ago today the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared in 25'+ seas on Lake Superior off Whitefish Point, Mi., with no survivors.

I went out on a fishing charter on Lake Michigan on a day when they had 6~9' waves. Or boat was a 34 footer. We went 3 miles off shore, and within 30 seconds of hitting the area we wanted to fish, waves were crashing over the bow of the boat. We promptly called it quits, and headed back in.

I can't even imagine how bad it was on that day the Edmond Fitzgerald went down.

I was at K.I. Sawyer AFB when the Fitz went down. Its loss was felt by a lot of people here.
The Titanic of Lake Superior.

History Channel Mega Disasters (back before History Channel found out Aliens and Hillbillys have a better profit margin):




11-10-2015: The Names and Ringing the recovered Bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Every time I hear this song it sends a chill up my spine. I've seen Lightfoot live a couple of times and watching and listening to him do this song is an experience.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Every time I hear this song it sends a chill up my spine.

Same here.

The Bell Ceremony hits hard. I've attended Final Roll Calls in the Army before, but that bell feels like it resonates one's soul.

I wonder if that was the last big ship to go down on the Great Lakes?

I remember the day well.

When my youngest son was 6 (that's him behind the Lego Edmund Fitzgerald), he started to get interested in ships. We went to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and the song was part of a video about the wreck. My son played it over and over the entire summer on his iPad. He keeps track of what ships are going by with an app and we got to see the Arthur M. Anderson go by.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Arguably one of the best ballads ever written, along with Harry Chapin Taxi/30,000 pounds of bananas.

Captain was from Ottawa Hills; the Day is always special in NW Ohio.

If you go to YOU-TUBE you can find some videos of Lake Superior and they are unforgettable. Waves breaking over the lake boats.

I've read just about everything I can find on the Fitz (absent alien or conspiracies). Seems to come down to the Fitz was notorious for having a bad keel (especially after it was lengthened) and McSorley was a "rock star" and pushed her way too hard.

Consensus is that she just split in two due to the hull failure.

Saw it in person in the mid 60's on the Detroit river. Reason it stood out to me was the name Edmund which was my father's name which is uncommon. Usually it's Edward. Also, this freighter was really long as opposed to other ships which tend to be shorter.

I've relayed this story before, but I was an engineering cadet on the SS Middletown owned by Columbia Steamship, the same company that owned the Fitzgerald, during the summer of 1979. Being only four years after the Fitz went down, many of my shipmates had friends that were lost and of course, the pain and loss was still felt.

I have been to the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point in the Michigan upper peninsula. It is a very solemn experience.

I'd love to see that museum someday. It's very sobering to hear the song.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
43 years ago today the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared in 25'+ seas on Lake Superior off Whitefish Point, Mi., with no survivors.

Sorry for being a nitpicker but shouldn't it read 44 years ago?

I had just gotten out of the Service when the E. Fitz went down. Didn't know about it 'til I went to visit the guy I went into boot camp with. He and I were friends with Paul Repa (spelling?), who went down with the ship.

As I entered, my buddy and Paul's older brother were there, looking rather uneasy. When they told me what happened I couldn't believe it. My buddy and I had just spent four years on the oceans without any trouble to speak of. Paul goes out on the lakes and is lost. It just doesn't make sense.
I still have Paul's High School picture. he wrote on the back,... "I thought you should have this in case you have to scare away any rats in the place".

quote:

Originally posted by blueye:
Saw it in person in the mid 60's on the Detroit river. Reason it stood out to me was the name Edmund which was my father's name which is uncommon. Usually it's Edward. Also, this freighter was really long as opposed to other ships which tend to be shorter.

My father and I were out on my grandfather's boat, on Lake Michigan near Leland, and saw the Edmund Fitzgerald, the summer before she was lost. We crossed her wake a few times, but never the bow, my father remarking what a chance it was to see a large lake freighter up close. Remember well reading the name on the stern, but more so will never forget the wave I got from the sailor on the stern. Could not see his face, but remember the connection as remote as it was. Was stunned at the news. Will never forget that sailor and his kindness.