On May 2, 2023, at 3 p.m. the Mariners' Church of Detroit tolled its bell 30 times; 29 times in memory of the crew of the Fitzgerald, and a 30th time in memory of Lightfoot, who died at age 84, on May 1, 2023. Edmund Fitzgerald Timeline S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Online "I've often wondered whether these two particular seas might have been the ones that finally did the Fitzgerald in, because they were really huge," he said. Other authors have concluded that Edmund Fitzgerald most likely broke in two on the surface before sinking due to the intense waves, like the ore carriers SSCarl D. Bradley and SSDaniel J. Edmund Fitzgerald: The Shipwreck that Never Gave Up Its Dead Email him at gellison@mlive.com or follow on Twitter & Instagram. The intensity of the November 10 storm would have made it difficult, if not impossible, to access the hatches from the spar deck (deck over the cargo holds). [40] The weather forecast was not unusual for November and the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted that a storm would pass just south of Lake Superior by 7a.m. on November 10. Later that same year, she struck the wall of a lock, an accident repeated in 1973 and 1974. [98] On the basis of the amended law, to protect wreck sites considered "watery graves", the Ontario government issued updated regulations in January 2006, including an area with a 500-meter (1,640ft) radius around Edmund Fitzgerald and other specifically designated marine archeological sites. On June 8, 1958, the vessel was christened the Edmund Fitzgerald, the name of the firms president. [75], The Michigan Sea Grant Program organized a three-day dive to survey Edmund Fitzgerald in 1989. In addition, some blamed rogue waves. [112] The NTSB came to the same conclusion as USCG because: The proximity of the bow and stern sections on the bottom of Lake Superior indicated that the vessel sank in one piece and broke apart either when it hit bottom or as it descended. [32] The vessel's usual route was between Superior, Wisconsin, and Toledo, Ohio, although her port of destination could vary. En route to a steel mill near Detroit, Edmund Fitzgerald joined a second taconite freighter, SSArthur M. Anderson. [18] In 1969, the ship's maneuverability was improved by the installation of a diesel-powered bow thruster. Over an hour later, the Fitzgerald reported to the Avafors that it was listing badly. [208], In 1986, writer Steven Dietz and songwriter/lyricist Eric Peltoniemi wrote the musical Ten November in memory of Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking. The ship then hit ground, and broke in two. After the inquiry, the question remained: What caused the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald? She remains the largest ship to have sunk in the region. [29] By November 1975, Edmund Fitzgerald had logged an estimated 748round trips on the Great Lakes and covered more than a million miles, "a distance roughly equivalent to 44trips around the world."[33]. [198] The controversy continued when the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum tried to use the bell as a touring exhibit in 1996. [201] Artifacts on display in the Steamship Valley Camp museum in Sault Ste. "[150] Thereafter, at the request of the Marine Board and the Commander of the USCG Ninth District, the Canadian Hydrographic Service conducted a survey of the area surrounding Michipicoten Island and Caribou Island in 1976. What Caused the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Two internationally known Canadian divers think they may have the answer. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) AP. The USCG took the position that only the captain could decide when it was safe to sail.[174]. [107] The analysis further showed that the maximum sustained winds reached near hurricane force of about 70mph (61kn; 110km/h) with gusts to 86 miles per hour (75kn; 138km/h) at the time and location where Edmund Fitzgerald sank. Some theories are nonsense relating to UFOs or a Great Lakes Bermuda Triangle in the area where the ship sank. The final position of the wreckage indicated that if the Edmund Fitzgerald had capsized, it must have suffered a structural failure before hitting the lake bottom. Lightfoot drew his inspiration from Newsweek 's article on the event, "The . Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, invested in the iron and minerals industries on a large scale, including the construction of Edmund Fitzgerald, which represented the first such investment by any American life insurance company. I detected undue stress in the side tunnels by examining the white enamel paint, which will crack and splinter when submitted to severe stress. The cuisine was reportedly excellent and snacks were always available in the lounge. Anderson. Edmund Fitzgerald Sinking: Weather? Crash? Failure? On Nov. 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald was sailing across Lake Superior and loaded with more than 26,000 tons of taconite ore pellets when it ran into a storm . Edmund Fitzgerald may have been swamped, suffered structural failure or topside damage, grounded on a shoal, or suffered from a combination of these. [41], SS Wilfred Sykes loaded opposite Edmund Fitzgerald at the Burlington Northern Dock#1 and departed at 4:15p.m., about two hours after Edmund Fitzgerald. It was then they saw a huge wave pouring green water over their entire vessel. For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald Captain McSorley said he did not like the action of a ship he described as a "wiggling thing" that scared him. The slow flooding supposedly went unnoticed by the captain and crew until it caused an imperceptible but fatal buoyancy loss and eventually sent the Fitzgerald plunging to the bottom. The flooding of the cargo hold took place through ineffective hatch . Theories about the Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald However, divers found no recent damage to the shoal after the wreck and the ship's exact course could only be estimated because the Fitzgerald radars were inoperable and the Anderson kept inexact course records during the journey. A large galley and fully stocked pantry supplied meals for two dining rooms. What caused Edmund Fitzgerald to sink? While the Coast Guard said the cause of the sinking could not be conclusively determined, it maintained that "the most probable cause of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald was the loss of buoyancy and stability resulting from massive flooding of the cargo hold. Because the ship had no depth sounding technology, the crew had no way of knowing that incoming water was pushing the ship lower in the water until the flooding exceeded the height of the iron ore in the holds. The Fitz hull took a fatal blow on a shoal. [177], Under maritime law, ships fall under the jurisdiction of the admiralty courts of their flag country. The Anderson lurched. She became known as the "Pride of the American Side". [101], Extreme weather and sea conditions play a role in all of the published hypotheses regarding Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking, but they differ on the other causal factors. Officers from Arthur M. Anderson observed that Edmund Fitzgerald sailed through this exact area. Edmund Fitzgerald previously reported being in significant difficulty to the saltwater vessel Avafors: "I have a bad list, lost both radars. The NTSB hewed to the Coast Guard line somewhat, agreeing that that non-weathertight hatch covers probably caused flooding during the trip, but the board ultimately concluded the probable sinking cause was "sudden massive flooding of the cargo hold due to the collapse of one or more hatch covers." Fitzgerald's own grandfather and all great uncles had themselves been lake captains,[22] and his father owned the Milwaukee Drydock Company, which built and repaired ships. The efforts of a third freighter, the Toronto-registered SSHilda Marjanne, were foiled by the weather. In 2000, author Hugh Bishop pushed the "Three Sisters" theory about a trio of rogue waves that overwhelmed the Fitzgerald in quick succession. McSorley also asked the Anderson to stay near the Fitzgerald, which was reducing speed. United States Coast Guard - Public Domain See Details Related Categories American Cargo vessel Gale / Storm Lake Superior SS Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck Location The exact cause of the sinking remains unknown, though many books, studies, and expeditions have examined it. Based on the NWS forecast, Arthur M. Anderson and Edmund Fitzgerald instead started their trip across Lake Superior following the regular Lake Carriers Association route, which placed them in the path of the storm. [114] Paul Trimble, a retired USCG vice admiral and president of the Lake Carriers Association (LCA), wrote a letter to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on September 16, 1977, that included the following statements of objection to the USCG findings: The present hatch covers are an advanced design and are considered by the entire lake shipping industry to be the most significant improvement over the telescoping leaf covers previously used for many years The one-piece hatch covers have proven completely satisfactory in all weather conditions without a single vessel loss in almost 40years of use and no water accumulation in cargo holds[115], It was common practice for ore freighters, even in foul weather, to embark with not all cargo clamps locked in place on the hatch covers. [66] Paquette, master of Wilfred Sykes, out in the same storm, said, "I'll tell anyone that it was a monster sea washing solid water over the deck of every vessel out there. The sinking led to changes in Great Lakes shipping regulations and practices that included mandatory survival suits, depth finders, positioning systems, increased freeboard, and more frequent inspection of vessels. [48] Two of Edmund Fitzgerald's six bilge pumps ran continuously to discharge shipped water. In the maritime sailors cathedral Up until a few weeks before her loss, passengers had traveled on board as company guests. All 29 people onboard were lost. [161] The NTSB investigation concluded that a fathometer would have provided Edmund Fitzgerald additional navigational data and made her less dependent on Arthur M. Anderson for navigational assistance. [92] That same year, Terrence Tysall and Mike Zee set multiple records when they used trimix gas to scuba dive to Edmund Fitzgerald. The freighter was captained by Ernest M. McSorley, and on board were 28 other men. What caused Edmund Fitzgerald to sink? - Medium [195], The ship's bell was recovered from the wreck on July 4, 1995. Morrell. [53], Captain Cooper of Arthur M. Anderson first called the USCG in Sault Ste. Shortly after 7 p.m. on Nov. 10, 1975, the 729-foot bulk cargo vessel Edmund Fitzgerald plummeted 530 feet to the bottom of Lake Superior just 17 miles from the entrance of Whitefish Point, Mich. She took with her all of the 29-man crew, including Capt. [50] Edmund Fitzgerald, effectively blind, slowed to let Arthur M. Anderson come within a 10-mile (16km) range so she could receive radar guidance from the other ship. The Storm that Sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald | Teaching Great Lakes Science In 2009, retired naval architect Raymond Ramsey, who helped design the Fitzgerald hull wrote that the maintenance history, increased cargo loading allowances and construction of the Fitzgerald made her unseaworthy the night she went down. [31] Loading Edmund Fitzgerald with taconite pellets took about four and a half hours, while unloading took around 14hours. Every November 10, the Split Rock Lighthouse near Silver Bay, Minnesota, emits a light in honor of Edmund Fitzgerald. Her crew of 29 perished, and no bodies were recovered. The LCA thinks the Fitzgerald grounded on the poorly-marked Six Fathom Shoal northwest of Caribou Island, causing fatal damage to the hull. Edmund Fitzgerald, American freighter that sank during a storm on November 10, 1975, in Lake Superior, killing all 29 aboard. Follow Steve at thelascopress.com with weekly NASCAR updates and featured articles. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. All Rights Reserved, What Caused the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Quick Lane Bowl Draws Record Crowd and Entertains Fans, LSU & Clemson to Vie for National Championship, MSU Wins Pinstripe Bowl, Lasco Ford Joins Adam Powells Team for MS Walks Milford, Pheasant Hunters Gear Up, DNR Expands Pheasant Release Program for 2023, Greater Flint Pilots Association Creates Scholarship Program, Another Michigan Singer, Skylar Alyvia Mayton, Joins The Voice. Despite repeated attempts to raise the USCG, Cooper was not successful until 7:54p.m. when the officer on duty asked him to keep watch for a 16-foot (4.9m) boat lost in the area. "[149], After reviewing testimony that Edmund Fitzgerald had passed near shoals north of Caribou Island, the USCG Marine Board examined the relevant navigational charts. A delay of 36 minutes followed while the shipyard crew struggled to release the keel blocks. [49] Divers searched the Six Fathom Shoal after the wreck occurred and found no evidence of "a recent collision or grounding anywhere. [212], A piano concerto titled The Edmund Fitzgerald was composed by American composer Geoffrey Peterson in 2002; it was premiered by the Sault Symphony Orchestra in Sault Ste. He said: The Great Lakes ore carrier is the most commercially efficient vessel in the shipping trade today. He will also review the theories as to what . It was on November 10, 1975, that the freighter sank in Lake Superior. The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald has many factors that make it linger in the public consciousness while other nearby shipwrecks faded into history. [138], Retired GLEW naval architect Raymond Ramsay, one of the members of the design team that worked on the hull of Edmund Fitzgerald,[139] reviewed her increased load lines, maintenance history, along with the history of long ship hull failure and concluded that Edmund Fitzgerald was not seaworthy on November 10, 1975. She was about 14 miles from the safe harbour of Whitefish Bay, just a little over 90 minutes of sailing time. Jessie Bernie Cooper of the Arthur M. Anderson experienced shortly before they lost contact with the Fitzgerald. The Real Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck That Inspired Gordon Lightfoot - Biography Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Because of a long fetch on Superior that night, the Fitzgerald and the Anderson were in an area of the lake where huge waves were indeed occurring. Burgner further testified that "the keel and sister kelsons were only 'tack welded'" and that he had personally observed that many of the welds were broken. [21], Edmund Fitzgerald was a record-setting workhorse, often beating her own milestones. In a similar vein, Paul Hainault, a retired Michigan Tech University professor, postulated a seiche caused the ship to scrape the bottom of Superior Shoal early that morning and the weakened hull eventually gave out. Despite having reached Whitefish Bay, the Anderson agreed, heading back into the storm. For data concerning Canadian areas, Canadian authorities have been consulted. The LCA represented the Great Lakes fleet owners and was able to forestall watertight subdivision regulations[158] by arguing that this would cause economic hardship for vessel operators. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. [151] The NTSB investigation concluded that, at the time of Edmund Fitzgerald's foundering, Lake Survey Chart No. [45] Until then, Edmund Fitzgerald had followed Arthur M. Anderson, which was travelling at a constant 14.6 miles per hour (12.7kn; 23.5km/h),[40] but the faster Edmund Fitzgerald pulled ahead at about 3:00a.m.[46] As the storm center passed over the ships, they experienced shifting winds, with wind speeds temporarily dropping as wind direction changed from northeast to south and then northwest. NEW! The collision tore a hole in the ship's bow large enough to drive a truck through, but the Maumee was able to travel halfway around the world to a repair yard, without difficulty, because she was fitted with watertight bulkheads. The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (sometimes called the Mighty Fitz or Big Fitz) was a Great Lakes bulk cargo vessel that was christened into service on June 8, 1958. In the case of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the clamps were not only still on the ship, but they were in perfect condition, even though the hatch covers were gone. 6 Theories on What Happened to Edmund Fitzgerald She set seasonal haul records six different times. 1 hatch and showed indications of buckling from external loading. McSorley told the Arthur M. Andersonwhich was sailing about 10 miles behind herreplied, We are holding our own. It was the last time anyone heard from the Fitzgerald. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Mark Thompson, a merchant seaman and author of numerous books on Great Lakes shipping, stated that if her cargo holds had watertight subdivisions, "the Edmund Fitzgerald could have made it into Whitefish Bay. They found that the Canadian 1973navigational chart for the Six Fathom Shoal area was based on Canadian surveys from 1916 and 1919 and that the 1973U.S. Lake Survey Chart No. [4] Her size, record-breaking performance, and "DJ captain" endeared Edmund Fitzgerald to boat watchers.[8]. [171], The NTSB investigation noted that Great Lakes cargo vessels could normally avoid severe storms and called for the establishment of a limiting sea state applicable to Great Lakes bulk cargo vessels. The Tragic Story of The Edmund Fitzgerald, Whose Crew Was Never Seen Again [53] A further November 1416 survey by the USCG using a side scan sonar revealed two large objects lying close together on the lake floor. MICHELE NORRIS, host: This is ALL . What Caused The Edmund Fitzgerald To Sink? The Fitzgerald suffered from structural problems, Ex-Fitzgerald crew member George Burgner claimed in a deposition that unrepaired cracks and weakened metal on the ship caused the loss, according to the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Fred Stonehouse. Compressed air pressure blew a hole in the starboard bow, which sank 18degrees of course. The mangled wreckage was located some 530 feet (162 metres) below the lakes surface, 17 statute miles (27 km) from Whitefish Bay, in Canadian waters. Below is a breakdown of the main theories: Faulty hatch covers caused massive internal flooding. 3 could be seen in place. This water is unable to fully drain away before the second wave strikes, adding to the surplus. Others, however, claimed that the freighter was unseaworthydue to structural problems, lack of watertight bulkheads, and cargo loads that were heavier than it was designed to carryand that it broke apart while still on the lakes surface. Her sinking sent shockwaves: once the largest ship on the Great Lakes, this massive freighter was known as a workhorse on the lakes, thought to be well-built and quite luxurious on the inside as well. This shoal, charted in 1929, is an underwater mountain in the middle of Lake Superior about 50 miles (80km) north of Copper Harbor, Michigan. More LOCAL to Love. [183] NTSB's investigation resulted in 19recommendations for the USCG, four recommendations for the American Bureau of Shipping, and two recommendations for NOAA. The Marine Board feels that this attitude reflects itself at times in deferral of maintenance and repairs, in failure to prepare properly for heavy weather, and in the conviction that since refuges are near, safety is possible by "running for it." [216] Memorabilia on sale include Christmas ornaments, T-shirts, coffee mugs, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, videos, and other items commemorating the vessel and its loss.[217]. [122], The LCA believed that instead of hatch cover leakage, the more probable cause of Edmund Fitzgerald's loss was shoaling or grounding in the Six Fathom Shoal northwest of Caribou Island when the vessel "unknowingly raked a reef" during the time the Whitefish Point light and radio beacon were not available as navigation aids. So, what happened? Shortly after 4:10p.m., McSorley called Arthur M. Anderson again to report a radar failure and asked Arthur M. Anderson to keep track of them. 6 theories on what caused the Edmund Fitzgerald to sink "She took on water all the time and her tunnels flooded out on her," Woodward said. February 1 A contract is signed between the Great Lakes Engineering Works (GLEW) and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company stipulating that GLEW is to design and build the largest ship on the Great Lakes. Early the next morningafter an upgraded storm warning was issuedthe two vessels agreed to change course, taking a more northerly route that was commonly used during severe weather. As Edmund Fitzgerald was sailing under the U.S. flag, even though she sank in foreign (Canadian) waters, she was subject to U.S. admiralty law. With a loss of buoyancy, its bow dipped and was unable to recover, diving to the lake bottom. [193][194] After the death of singer Gordon Lightfoot on May 1, 2023, the church bell was ceremonially rung 29 times in memory of the crew, plus an additional ring in memory of Lightfoot who committed their deaths to posterity. She was en route to the steel mill on Zug Island, near Detroit, Michigan,[38] with a cargo of 26,116 long tons (29,250 short tons; 26,535t) of taconite ore pellets and soon reached her full speed of 16.3 miles per hour (14.2kn; 26.2km/h). The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, 47 years later | wtol.com Sections of the coaming in way of the No. On August 8, 2007, along a remote shore of Lake Superior on the Keweenaw Peninsula, a Michigan family discovered a lone life-saving ring that appeared to have come from Edmund Fitzgerald. A wave engulfed the ship, pushing the front of the ship underwater. Ernest McSorley. The third incoming wave again adds to the two accumulated backwashes, quickly overloading the deck with too much water. " And all that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters." "The ship was the pride of the American side coming back from some mill in Wisconsin. The loss of Edmund Fitzgerald was mainly the loss of stability as well as buoyancy. He stated, "After that, trust me, when a gale came up we dropped the hook [anchor]. The survey revealed that the shoal ran about 1 mile (1.6km) farther east than shown on Canadian charts. [87][88] The life jacket had deteriorated canvas and "what is thought to be six rectangular cork blocks clearly visible. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What caused Edmund Fitzgerald to sink? - Rebellion Research The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down "[141] Edmund Fitzgerald's long-ship design was developed without the benefit of research, development, test, and evaluation principles while computerized analytical technology was not available at the time she was built. This underwater photo of the sunken SS Edmund Fitzgerald was taken by an unmanned submersible robot, as a research team . The lyrics of the popular Gordon Lightfoot ballad The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald offers a few of the possible causes for the sinking of the great ship. 50% Off Unlimited Digital Access. [105], Edmund Fitzgerald sank at the eastern edge of the area of high wind[106] where the long fetch, or distance that wind blows over water, produced significant waves averaging over 23 feet (7.0m) by 7:00p.m. and over 25 feet (7.6m) at 8:00p.m. One of the worst seas I've ever been in." Gordon Lightfoot liked this theory, posited by the National Transportation Safety Board a year after the Coast Guard issued its report. It has virtually no watertight integrity. [69], Edmund Fitzgerald is among the largest and best-known vessels lost on the Great Lakes,[70] but she is not alone on the Lake Superior seabed in that area. Later on November 9, gale warnings were issued for southern Lake Superior, which was known for strong storms in November. [73], In 1980, during a Lake Superior research dive expedition, marine explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, the son of Jacques Cousteau, sent two divers from RVCalypso in the first manned submersible dive to Edmund Fitzgerald. [165] Captain Paquette of Wilfred Sykes noted that this change allowed loading to 4,000 tons more than what Edmund Fitzgerald was designed to carry. [173] At the time of Edmund Fitzgerald's foundering, there was no evidence that any governmental regulatory agency tried to control vessel movement in foul weather despite the historical record that hundreds of Great Lakes vessels had been wrecked in storms.
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