Background Information
The Edmund Fitzgerald was a Great Lakes freighter that was built and launched in 1958. It was amongst the largest vessels operating during its time, measuring a length of 75 metres, a beam of 25 metres and a depth of 13 metres. After a service record of 17 years, the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald tragically sank following a severe storm on the night of November 10th, 1975.
During the course of its service, the Fitzgerald had made a total of 706 trips on the Great Lakes, including deliveries of iron ore from the mines of Minnesota and Superior to the steel mills in Detroit and Cleveland. In 1975, the ship was on its very last trip.
At the time of its sinking, the Edmund Fitzgerald was carrying a cargo of ore, which weighed more than 26,116 metric tons, and was travelling from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan. Near the entrance to Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, the Fitzgerald encountered a powerful storm and heavy winds. At 7.10 pm, the ship sunk in 530 feet of water.
Where in Lake Superior Is The Edmund Fitzgerald?
The final resting place of the Edmund Fitzgerald is located in Lake Superior, 17 miles from the entrance to Whitefish Bay. The Fitzgerald’s hull is spread across about 200 feet of the lake’s floor, sitting upright in the shape of an “S”, within 530 feet of water. There are no visual clues that the wreckage is present, as all steelwork has corroded away.
In 1995 a team of scientists and submariners explored the area, hoping to gain some insight into the cause of the sinking. Using an underwater robot equipped with an array of sonar and video instruments, they were able to capture a detailed image of the wreckage. They were able to gain access to the ship’s wheelhouse, and found it remarkably intact, despite the fact that it had been resting on the floor of the lake for two decades.
The search team also observed a build-up of sediment around the hull area. This served as current evidence that the Fitzgerald had not broken into two pieces before sinking, as was previously believed. The cause of the sinkhole is still far from being resolved, but the data collected from this mission has certainly provided valuable insight into what might have occurred.
Analysis Of Findings
The exploration of the Fitzgerald has revealed much about the circumstances surrounding its sinking. The massive bulk of iron ore it carried nearly sank the vessel before it reached the lake bed. The team noted evidence of “green water” flooding the wheelhouse prior to the sinking, indicating the Fitzgerald had been pushed back against a rising wave while the crew was attempting to tie down the cargo.
The fact that the wheelhouse was relatively intact implies that the ship sank relatively quickly, offering more evidence against the theory that the Fitzgerald had broken into two pieces before settling on the lake’s floor. This finding counters the opinions of many experts who concluded that the ship was split into pieces by the buildup of ore.
Moreover, the lack of visual clues from the wreckage seem to suggest that the Fitzgerald had been driven down too deeply by the powerful force of wind and current. The singular bow and stern wreckage as well as the build up of residual sediment show that the Fitzgerald had gone down in one piece.
Insight From Survivors
The fact that no bodies were ever found following the ship’s sinking deeply affects a number of first-hand accounts in the aftermath of the tragedy. It is believed by the survivors that their loved ones simply vanished without so much as a trace in Lake Superior’s choppy waters.
The former crew of the Fitzgerald has expressed their grief and anguish at the lack of clarity on what befell their shipmates. According to Terenece La Plante, master of a nearby ship called the SS William Clay Ford, the Fitzgerald had simply “left them in the night, not a single word” and that “It all just matters not, their fate was sealed by accident.”
The families of the victims are determined to find answers to the mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Many have expressed the hope that further missions would be conducted to explore the crash site and provide more evidence of what might have caused the sinking of the vessel.
Comparison With Other Shipwrecks
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald was one of the worst disasters in Great Lakes shipping history. However, it is not the only ship to be lost in the area, as many other vessels have met the same fate over the years.
In 1987, the freighter SS Daniel J. Morrell sank after it encountered heavy weather off the coast of Michigamme. The Morrell was an even larger vessel than the Edmund Fitzgerald. In April 2014, the cargo ship, the SS Carl D. Bradley, was lost with all hands off the Indiana Dunes. Similarly, the SS Henry B. Smith sank off the coast of Michigan in 1913.
All of these disasters serve as a reminder of the dangers of operating a ship on the Great Lakes. Despite modern navigational innovations that offer greater safety, sailors still hold to the same values and precautions that Francis Ross, the captain who commanded the Edmund Fitzgerald, would have employed.
The Impact Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the loss of its crew, quickly attracted national attention. The disaster lives on in popular culture, with Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and a documentary entitled The Mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The tragedy of the Fitzgerald also serves as a powerful reminder to the dangers of life at sea and the power of nature.
The Great Lakes are among the coldest, deepest and most treacherous waterways in the world. Many nations have dedicated vessels and search teams to be prepared for any similar disaster that might occur in the area.
Search and rescue vessels, such as the US Coast Guard’s search and rescue vessel Mackinaw and the tugboat Iron Stev, are ready to actively patrol the waters of the Great Lakes. They are equipped with the latest technology to ensure the safety and well-being of sailors in the region.
Efforts To Remember The Fitzgerald
Various efforts have been made to remember and honor the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald. In 1996, a memorial was erected in the town of Whitefish Point, Michigan. The site includes a bell from the Fitzgerald which is still rung every year on the anniversary of the disaster and on Thanksgiving Day.
In 2014, a commemorative plaque was placed at the final resting place of the Fitzgerald, 17 miles from Whitefish Point. The plaque is engraved with the names of all 29 crew members who perished in the accident.
These memorials and plaques serve to remind us of the need for safety and respect for the environment. They also serve to honor the memories of Francis Ross, his crew and the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Legacy Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald has had a profound effect on the Great Lakes shipping industry. Since the disaster, greater safety protocols have been implemented to avoid similar tragedies in the future. All ships are now steered using GPS, and bigger ships are required to have a mandatory escort.
The Fitzgerald has also left behind a powerful legacy in the minds of many. The disaster serves as a reminder that even the most technologically advanced ships can be vulnerable to the power of nature. Captain Ross’s crew and their final fate will not be forgotten.
Animal Life Affected By The Sinking
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald has raised another concern in the wake of the tragedy – that of the impact the ship’s wreckage has had on the local wildlife in the area. The presence of such a large vessel on the floor of the lake has had a profound impact on the local animal life.
In recent years, researchers have noted a decline in the population of lake trout in the vicinity of the Fitzgerald’s wreckage. The presence of the shipwreck has also encouraged the growth of zebra mussels, which has had an adverse effect on the lake’s lake ecology. The wreck also serves as a refuge for sturgeon and bass, who seek shelter in its holds.
In addition to this, the wreck has had an impact on the species of ciscofish that inhabit the area. There is evidence of ciscofish being attracted to the wreckage, leading to an increase in their population.
Implications For The Future
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald offers a reminder to mariners and navigators to remain ever vigilant. The impact of the tragedy can still be felt in the Great Lakes shipping industry today, with many ships now equipped with advanced navigational equipment and satellite systems.
The legacy of the Fitzgerald also reminds us of the importance of respecting the environment. The presence of the shipwreck has had a detrimental effect on the local animals, and is a reminder to be mindful of our impact on the natural world.
Ultimately, the Fitzgerald serves as a reminder that even in the most advanced vessels, the power of nature can never be underestimated.
