The Gales of November

[97RangerXLT]

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Gordon lightfoot put this event to song in 1976, one year after the incident. As a boy, I heard this song on the radio and it really touched me as this was an event that happened in my lifetime. Lightfoot really hit home with this song. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours" strikes a nerve. a couple of documentaries on YouTube that did a great job of covering what possibly happened and the last conversation over the radio between the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Arthur M Anderson. (still in service today, I even saw it going through the Soo Locks in 2004)

One thing I did not realize was how big the Fitz was and how luxurious it was even as a freighter.

If any of you get the opportunity, visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point in Michigan. they have the original ships bell from the Fitz there. an excellent exhibit.

First the Gordon Lightfoot song:

and a few great documentaries:

Enjoy.

AJ

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I also listened to this song growing up. But I didn't realize it was about a recent ship sinking, I thought it was about an old 1800's shipwreck.

 

[pjtoledo]

half a century ago. I was still in the Army then.
if you want to experience of the gales of November visit Whitefish Point in the winter.
a good north wind there is like entering chaos.

that night the winds hit 90 mph at nearby Saulte St Marie
when the coast guard called for other ships to go out and search nobody answered for a while.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Actually watching this right now:

This is a interesting channel and they talk a lot about the Fitz. Both were captains on the great lakes, the older gentlemen's father and uncle both served on he Fitzgerald, his uncle actually went down with her.

It is amusing for just being a big civilian ore hauler how much shady stuff there is around the ship and its demise.