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Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Always amazing memories.

5mn_Major said:
Growing up in Minnesota...it was one of the most influencial cultural events of my childhood. To this day, it still haunt the north shore.
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Really was, but God I hate "that song".

I was in Duluth in November, 1985 and taking the bus back to campus from downtown as a big storm hit and remember huge waves almost washing over of the road - the I35 project was in progress and the bus ran along Michigan Ave, IIRC. Some captain anchored too close (so he was over sand instead of rocks) to shore and woke up with his ship aground about 100 yards off of Park Point. Scary strong weather on the big lake.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

dubbie31 said:
Having numerous ties to the U.P. and the Great Lakes area, I was taught a lot about this incident. The "Big Fitz" was almost the Titanic of the Great Lakes. The flagship...my dad told me about the absolute shock that swept over the community when the news came.

It's amazing to look at the weather patterns in November on Superior...especially when that storm hit...almost completely unbelievable.

R.I.P. to the 29 brave men who perished on the night.
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Below is a quick animation of the waves during that storm. Crazy to see the sudden burst of huge waves (9+ meters, ~ 30 feet) covering a huge area of the lake and unless you stopped you had no choice but to go through them to get to Whitefish Bay. And then to see that almost the entire lake had waves of at least 10 feet or so. That storm had to be amazing.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bzh4lMti_0A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

during Hurricane Sandy, news people were talking with awe of 20 foot waves on Lake Michigan. that disnt seem like much. so I looked it up. "theoretically" no wave on the Great Lakes can exceed 26 feet. I imagine many who have sailed the Lakes would disagree. (my dad being one) have heard the Fitz was plowing through 40 footers.

Im blessed to be able to watch the freighters as they come around Keweenaw Point and head for DuLuth or Twin Harbors. Its amazing to see them take a wave
that goes over the bow and rolls the whole length of the ship. you can watch the boat pitching not only forwards amd backwards but side to side.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

huskyfan said:
"theoretically" no wave on the Great Lakes can exceed 26 feet.
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The 1905, 1913, and 1975 storms all easily bust that myth.

We'll never know exactly what happened, but I've heard that when she disappeared, the Fitzgerald had just slammed into a part of the storm that was super intense. The Anderson, sailing several miles behind, lost sight of the Fitzgerald's lights as they both entered that localized intensity. Shortly thereafter, the last radio contact occurred, at which time Capt. McSorley said the infamous, "We are holding our own". When the Anderson emerged some minutes later, the Fitz was gone.

There are a lot of theories of course, but with the boat already taking on water and having reportedly developed "a bad list" according to the crew, a rogue wave could've easily capsized her without warning, which would explain why they never had a chance to issue a mayday. The Anderson logged consistent 25 footers, with occasional 35 footers, so I've always felt that an unexpected 35-40 ft. wave hitting the already-tilting boat was the most plausible theory for the sudden sinking.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hgI8bta-7aw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Having grown up in Michigan all my life it is incredible to see what these lakes can do. If you haven't ever seen them you figure they're just a lake and can't be all that bad, people down here in NC definitely think that, but they are inland oceans and can be every bit as nasty. My heart definitely goes out to all those lost on the lakes over the centuries and their families.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

bose301s said:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hgI8bta-7aw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Having grown up in Michigan all my life it is incredible to see what these lakes can do. If you haven't ever seen them you figure they're just a lake and can't be all that bad, people down here in NC definitely think that, but they are inland oceans and can be every bit as nasty. My heart definitely goes out to all those lost on the lakes over the centuries and their families.
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Exactly. When you can't see the other side of the lake because of the curvature of the earth you don't wanna that lake to mess with ya.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

I forgot. Every year I remember the Fitz, but I forgot this year. Good thing this thread was here to remind me.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

There is a large ship moored in Duluth (I should know the name) that we've toured and we've watched countless others pass through the lift bridge and yet even then you get a sense of, "the unthinkable" daring Mother Nature. One wonders if those on board saw it coming and if so what they must have been feeling/thinking or if it was truly a one of a kind moment that took but a moment to take her down.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

bose301s said:
Having grown up in Michigan all my life it is incredible to see what these lakes can do. If you haven't ever seen them you figure they're just a lake and can't be all that bad, people down here in NC definitely think that, but they are inland oceans and can be every bit as nasty. My heart definitely goes out to all those lost on the lakes over the centuries and their families.
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You can't downplay the type of winter that comes from the Atlantic.

But the Lakes couple these massive bodies of water with the brutal cold coming down from a Canadian land mass that is second only to Siberia in its winter intensity.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

we have shown lots of people ther first view of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. the thing that surprises most people is the thing about not being able to see the other side.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

huskyfan said:
we have shown lots of people ther first view of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. the thing that surprises most people is the thing about not being able to see the other side.
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I came to the conclusion as a kid crossing on the Milwaukee Clipper that if you can't see the other side, it's not a lake. And I don't care what you call it! I mean, we have beaches in Chicago, but it's not the same as being out in the middle and not being able to see any land, anywhere.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

technically, I suppose, they should be called inland seas. I've always like the name Sweetwater seas.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Slap Shot said:
There is a large ship moored in Duluth (I should know the name) that we've toured and we've watched countless others pass through the lift bridge and yet even then you get a sense of, "the unthinkable" daring Mother Nature. One wonders if those on board saw it coming and if so what they must have been feeling/thinking or if it was truly a one of a kind moment that took but a moment to take her down.
Click to expand...
William H. Irvin?
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Having a bunch of friends, along with myself, who work and play on the Great Lakes as recreational fisherman, this is something that I keep on my mind... It's amazing the power that these lakes have... Always respect that...
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Ive been on these boards for a while and dont post much, and just came across this. What memories this brings back and amazing to see that people still follow and how this event impacted them.

By way of background, my mother's uncle was Captain McSorley. I never had an opportunity to meet him, but was in a cousin's 20 foot craft and drove by the Fitzgerald once during a summer vacation to Toledo (we were up on Lake Michigan). I'll also never forget "Aunt Nellie", the captain's wife....just world class and the nicest person you ever met., and definitely had her own way (always referred to as "Crazy Nellie" because she was so unemcumbered).

Absolute tragedy. Thank you all for continuing to follow and seeing what it meant to all of you.
 
Re: Nov. 10, 1975 - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

My history teacher in eighth grade really got me into the Edmund Fitzgerald. Such a moving song.
 
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