MARQUETTE, Mich. (RTW) — This year marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest and most recognized of the over 6,500 vessels that have sunk in the Great Lakes. The tragic sinking, which occurred on November 10, 1975, claimed the lives of all 29 crew members aboard. The memory of the ship endures, buoyed by Gordon Lightfoot's iconic folk ballad that brought public attention to the tragedy.
The Fitz, as it is affectionately known, was launched in 1958 and held the title of the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. On its last journey, it transported 26,000 tons of iron ore from Superior, Wisconsin, to Zug Island in Detroit. The crew included seasoned mariners, many hailing from the Great Lakes states.
As the storm warnings intensified the night before, the captain's final communication indicated the Fitzgerald was battling the brutal waves, which reached heights of 25 feet. The ship was reported missing the next day, sparking an emotional ordeal for the families waiting for word on their loved ones.
The reason for the rapid sinking remains a subject of speculation, but the tragedy prompted significant improvements in maritime safety standards. Today, the wreck lies 535 feet beneath Lake Superior, an underwater grave protected under Canadian law, where family members have fought for it to remain undisturbed.
Events commemorating the 50th anniversary will draw attention to the lives lost and the lessons learned as they remember not just the Fitzgerald, but all who lost their lives in maritime disasters on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Historical Museum plans special ceremonies, including livestreamed events for the crew's families, ensuring that the stories of those lost at sea continue to resonate.
The Fitz, as it is affectionately known, was launched in 1958 and held the title of the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. On its last journey, it transported 26,000 tons of iron ore from Superior, Wisconsin, to Zug Island in Detroit. The crew included seasoned mariners, many hailing from the Great Lakes states.
As the storm warnings intensified the night before, the captain's final communication indicated the Fitzgerald was battling the brutal waves, which reached heights of 25 feet. The ship was reported missing the next day, sparking an emotional ordeal for the families waiting for word on their loved ones.
The reason for the rapid sinking remains a subject of speculation, but the tragedy prompted significant improvements in maritime safety standards. Today, the wreck lies 535 feet beneath Lake Superior, an underwater grave protected under Canadian law, where family members have fought for it to remain undisturbed.
Events commemorating the 50th anniversary will draw attention to the lives lost and the lessons learned as they remember not just the Fitzgerald, but all who lost their lives in maritime disasters on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Historical Museum plans special ceremonies, including livestreamed events for the crew's families, ensuring that the stories of those lost at sea continue to resonate.
