Background Information
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and its deep, cold waters hold many mysteries. In the past, its treacherous depths have claimed many ships, including the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the most famous shipwreck in Lake Superior’s history. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a 729-foot freighter that was travelling from the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior Wisconsin to Detroit with a load of taconite ore pellets when it disappeared from radar on November 10, 1975. The cause of the sinking remains unknown and much debated to this day.
Details of the Vessel
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald began life as a steam freighter in 1958 and was the largest vessel in its fleet. It was considered a marvel of its time, with advanced navigation systems and enormous cargo capacity. Over the two decades that it operated, the Fitzgerald completed hundreds of voyages and earned the unofficial title of “Queen of the Great Lakes”. She was owned and operated by the Oglebay Norton Company, a shipping and transport firm in the Midwest United States.
Weather and Winds
The night the SS Edmund Fitzgerald went down, the weather was fierce. She had been sailing through a powerful storm with 30-foot waves and 70 mile-an-hour winds. Winds of such magnitude can place immense strain on a large vessel, and the Fitzgerald’s bow was already facing serious strain from the cargo. Reports from other ships in the area suggest that the SS Edmund Fitzgerald had broken loose from its moorings and was in danger of breaking apart.
The Final Voyage
On November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald set out on her final voyage. The ship was loaded to capacity with 26,116 tons of taconite pellets and sailed out of port, bound for Detroit. By early evening, the Fitzgerald had been spotted by the Arthur Anderson, a rival vessel in the same fleet. Shortly after, the last communication from the Fitzgerald came in, as she reported her own position to the Anderson.
The Rescue Team
Around 7 pm local time, the Arthur Anderson contacted the Coast Guard and dispatched a Mayday call for the Fitzgerald. A rescue team was dispatched to search the waters but their efforts were hampered by the fierce weather. No trace of the ship or its crew was found and the search was called off the following day.
The Legacy
The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald remains an enigma to this day, with no definitive cause ever determined. The loss of a vessel and its crew of 29 men haunt the waters of Lake Superior and a memorial to the men has been erected in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. The legend and mystery of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald has captivated the public and made it an icon and a symbol of courage and determination.
Analyzing the SS Edmund Fitzgerald
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an impressive vessel, equipped with the latest advancements in navigation technology and cargo capacity. From the reports of the Arthur Anderson, it is possible to conclude that the Fitzgerald was facing incredible strain from both the weather and the weight of her cargo even before it was dispatched. The immense pressure placed on the vessel when combined with the waves and winds of the storm may have caused it to break apart.
The Debate
While it is impossible to definitely ascertain what happened to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, opinions abound as to the cause of the sinking. Some argue that the cargo may have shifted in the heavy weather, creating an imbalance and eventually causing the ship to capsize. Others point out that the electronics onboard the ship may have failed in the storm, leading the crew to become disorientated and eventually cause the ship to run aground.
The Shipwreck
On November 16th, 1975, Canadian sonar located the wreck of the Fitzgerald 2.3 miles beneath the surface of Lake Superior. Through numerous dives to the wreck and extensive research, much information about the ship has been gathered. Photographs taken of the remains show the bow was severely damaged, leading many to believe that the Fitzgerald broke apart in open water. The fact that the cargo holds were still intact indicates the sinking was sudden and violent.
Personnel Incompetence
Though the cause of the sinking is unknown, it is clear that the crew of the Fitzgerald had not been following proper procedures. Radio transmissions from other vessels in the area indicated that the Fitzgerald was running late and had not allowed enough time for anchoring, a serious maritime infraction. There was also debate as to whether the Fitzgerald had received the latest weather report before it left, and there were claims the ship had been overloaded with cargo.
The Missing Watch
One of the most interesting pieces of evidence discovered on the Fitzgerald was the mysterious absence of the watch. During a sea voyage, the watch is an important part of the ship’s operations as it ensures that the ship is travelling in a safe manner. The lack of a watch may have contributed to the Fitzgerald’s tragic end, though there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.
Other Possible Causes for the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s Sinking
Other theories about the cause of the Fitzgerald’s sinking range from the mundane to the extraordinary. Some have suggested the Fitzgerald may have collided with another vessel or even suffered an attack from a rogue submarine. Others point out the Fitzgerald may have encountered an unexpected wave that collided with the ship and caused it to sink before the crew had time to react. Witnesses of the event have described an immense noise, similar to a “metallic roar” shortly before the Fitzgerald disappeared from radar. This leads many to believe that an internal explosion may have caused the vessel to sink so rapidly.
Government Intervention
In the wake of the Fitzgerald’s sinking, the US government stepped in to help. Several investigation teams were assembled to study the evidence and the official report was released in May 1976. The report concluded that the Fitzgerald’s sinking had been caused by a combination of errors in navigation and protocol, compounded by the harsh conditions of the storm. This conclusion drew great criticism from both the public and fellow sailors as they felt the report was too dismissive of the possible causes.
Conclusion
The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the greatest mysteries of Lake Superior and continues to fascinate to this day. There are many theories about the cause of the Fitzgerald’s sinking, though the debate continues and no definitive conclusion has been reached. The tragedy remains an unsolved mystery, the events lost in the depths of the lake it once sailed.
