THUNDER BAY – This November 10th marks the anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, one of Lake Superior’s most tragic and memorable shipwrecks. Since 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald has captured public fascination, symbolizing both the power of the Great Lakes and the unpredictable, often violent weather that plagues them.
Each year, people across Canada and the United States remember the 29 crew members who perished and reflect on the unique dangers faced by ships navigating the “Gales of November” on Lake Superior.
The History of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald
The Edmund Fitzgerald was launched in 1958 as the largest freighter on North America’s Great Lakes, measuring 729 feet long and capable of carrying over 26,000 tons of iron ore. Commissioned by the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, the ship quickly earned a reputation as one of the most reliable vessels on the lakes.
Known as “The Pride of the American Flag,” the Fitzgerald was a fixture on Lake Superior, transporting iron ore from mines in Minnesota to steel mills in Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo.
Under Captain Ernest McSorley, the Fitzgerald made hundreds of voyages over her 17 years, each one fraught with the inherent risks of lake freighting. However, no journey would prove as perilous as her final one in November 1975, when she set sail from Superior, Wisconsin, toward a Detroit steel mill, carrying 26,116 tons of ore pellets.
The “Gales of November” and Their Lethal Impact on Lake Superior Shipping
Navigating Lake Superior in November has always posed unique challenges for mariners, and this month’s powerful storms are notorious for sudden and severe weather shifts. The “Gales of November” refer to the fierce autumn storms that sweep across the Great Lakes, fueled by clashing warm and cold air masses that create extremely low-pressure systems.
These gales bring massive, fast-forming waves and winds reaching hurricane-force speeds. For ships, particularly large freighters carrying tons of heavy cargo, this combination can create life-threatening conditions.
Lake Superior’s geography amplifies these effects. As the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes, Superior’s vast expanse allows waves to build to terrifying heights, often peaking above 20 feet during storms.
Its deep, cold waters also add a dangerous element: when waves crash with such force, they can cause unexpected structural stress and make it difficult for ships to maintain buoyancy and stability.
Despite the enormous size of Lake Superior, the lake is still too small for ships to outrun a major storm.
On November 9, 1975, a developing storm began to intensify, creating high waves, snow, and gale-force winds. The Edmund Fitzgerald faced brutal conditions but pressed on, following close behind the Arthur M. Anderson, another freighter piloted by Captain Jesse Cooper.
Throughout the night and into the next day, the two ships maintained radio contact as they fought increasingly violent seas.
By the evening of November 10, however, the Edmund Fitzgerald was in dire circumstances, with McSorley’s final transmission ominously stating, “We are holding our own.”
Only moments later, the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared from radar screens. In less than a minute, the freighter sank to the lakebed, taking all 29 crew members with her. Despite extensive investigations, the exact cause of the sinking remained a mystery, though experts believe structural damage, combined with heavy waves and severe flooding, may have contributed to the tragedy.
Legacy and Impact of the Edmund Fitzgerald
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald sent shockwaves through the maritime community and prompted changes in shipping safety protocols. The U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian authorities have since tightened regulations for winter shipping, requiring more rigorous inspections and restricting travel when severe storms are forecast. Many cargo vessels are also now equipped with improved weather tracking and safety technologies designed to help crews navigate the Great Lakes’ treacherous waters.
Each November, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, Michigan, holds a memorial service for the Edmund Fitzgerald and other vessels lost on the Great Lakes. A bell recovered from the wreck in 1995 is tolled 29 times in honor of each crew member lost. Additionally, Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” has immortalized the tragedy in song, resonating with listeners as a powerful tribute to the risks and sacrifices faced by Great Lakes sailors.
Conclusion: The Enduring Lesson of the Edmund Fitzgerald
The anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking is a solemn reminder of Lake Superior’s might and the inherent dangers of lake shipping, especially during November’s gales. For communities along the Great Lakes, including Thunder Bay, the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a part of local heritage—a stark reminder of the region’s maritime history and the courage of those who make their living on these challenging waters.
As we remember the crew lost 49 years ago, the Edmund Fitzgerald endures as a lasting symbol of respect for Lake Superior’s unpredictable power and the importance of maritime safety measures.
Even with modern advancements, the lake’s formidable presence remains a reminder of the price paid by those who brave her waters in the name of commerce, duty, and tradition.
