Gales of November The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

The book by Robert J. Hemming tells the story of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975. The "mighty Fitz" was the largest and newest Lake hauler built in 1958. They had the best communications and equipment of the period. Like the Titanic it was thought to be unsinkable. If you enjoy reading about shipwrecks I recommend this book.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee--

Superior they said never gives up her dead

When the gales of November come early.

-From the song
" The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,"
by Gordon Lightfoot

 

[Napoleon1er]

I love the song and I have read a bit on the actual event. Thanks for posting!

 

[29 Let's Go]

Thomas Bentsen,Oiler and college friend went with the Edmund Fitzgerald. I took him to my parents for dinner while up at school. I remember my Mom and Dad remarking later on what a gentleman he was.

Steve

 

[tdubel]

Thomas Bentsen,Oiler and college friend went with the Edmund Fitzgerald. I took him to my parents for dinner while up at school. I remember my Mom and Dad remarking later on what a gentleman he was.

Steve

Steve,
Small world, thanks for sharing. I have read many a book on this tragedy and everytime it is a humble, sobering experience. Just hard to believe that it vanished as quickly as it did and the Song is a haunting memory that gives me chills every time I hear it.

Tom

 

[mikemiller1955]

the song is a haunting recant of the story...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks Mike for the fine video of Gordon's Lightfoot ballad. I enjoyed viewing it and I try to go up to whitefish point every couple of years. They have a nice museum there on Great Lakes shipwrecks and the bell retrieved from the Fitz. Along the shore family members have small memorials for their loved ones.

On another note that in 1958 the Carl Bradley from Rogers City Michigan went down when it broke in half. My friend went to Roger City High School and said that about 12 of his classmates were lost. The Morrell also broke apart in1961 with one survivor.

November is a bad month on the lakes. John

 

[Leadmen]

Bump> Gales of November look like it will start by Thursday. High winds and storms on the lakes.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Thanks Mike for the fine video of Gordon's Lightfoot ballad. I enjoyed viewing it and I try to go up to whitefish point every couple of years. They have a nice museum there on Great Lakes shipwrecks and the bell retrieved from the Fitz. Along the shore family members have small memorials for their loved ones.

On another note that in 1958 the Carl Bradley from Rogers City Michigan went down when it broke in half. My friend went to Roger City High School and said that about 12 of his classmates were lost. The Morrell also broke apart in1961 with one survivor.

November is a bad month on the lakes. John

yea John...

the story it tells...

it a sad song...

but...one of his best...

 

[Ivanhoe]

Mike;

Thank you for posting this, my Father worked for the Oglebay Norton Company, Columbia Shipping, on the Great Lakes from 1958 through his retirement in 1989, as "Wheelsman" and "Crane Operator" (while in port). Although he did not ever serve on the Fitzgerald, he knew many of the crew.
When young he told me many times how bad the weather could get on the lakes, especially Superior.

 

[villagehorse]

Interesting story, another unsinkable ship expected to last 50 years working within lakes. Robin.