34 Years Ago Today

OpiniPundit ^ | 11/10/09 | traderrob

[gigster]

Today, here on upper Lake Michigan, we had one of the most spectacular Autumn days ever. The lakes were like glass, with not a cloud in the sky.
It is days like this that makes it hard to imagine what it was like 34 years ago on the Big Lake.
Many people, who don’t know the fickle nature of these lakes,underestimate the sudden ferocity that can change these placid waters into terrifying monsters.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I was manager of a Great Lakes fuel business for 16 years in the 80s and 90s. We operated a small lighter vessel in Duluth-Superior Harbor and also supplied via tanks along the north shore rail to water docks.
The captain of our vessel put the last N6 fuel on the Ed Fitz on the day she left Superior.

[Mmogamer]

vid of the wreck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP8F1xdbr-I

[freedumb2003]

You are a bridge link across the years to a very real event.

What a significant, if (I am sure) saddened, participant in history you are.

[RckyRaCoCo]

I remember that night, pretty wicked weather in SE MI also. My Dad used to take us fishing in different areas N/S of the Blue Water bridge. The freighters were great to watch.

(Heh, the wake from them however did a number on our fishing lines).

Rest in Peace Dad...as well as the crew of the Fitz.

[traderrob6]

Thanks, love the first hand info.

[PilotDave]

I got it right away. But I did live in Duluth for 10 years. Still amazing that an inland lake (Superior) could sink a 1000’ ore boat. Broke her in half.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I was in another industry when the Fitz went down in ‘75. My first job on the Lakes was ‘86.

[kenavi]

I like Gordon Lightfoot.

I remember listening to "If You Could Read My Mind" riding in the back of a pick-up on the NJ Turnpike in 1971 around this time of year. His voice and the sensation I felt listening to him have never left me.

[traderrob6]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I believe the huge swells on Superior are because is is close to a mile deep in places.

[packrat35]

Edmund Fitzgerald’s crew of 29 on her final voyage included:

Armagost, Michael E.
Beetcher, Fred J.
Bentsen, Thomas D.
Bindon, Edward F.
Borgeson, Thomas D.
Champeau, Oliver J.
Church, Nolan S.
Cundy, Ransom E.
Edwards, Thomas E.
Haskell, Russell G.
Holl, George J.
Hudson, Bruce L.
Kalmon, Allen G.
MacLellan, Gordon F.
Mazes, Joseph W.
McCarthy, John H.
McSorley, Ernest M.
O’Brien, Eugene W.
Peckol, Karl A.
Poviach, John J.
Pratt, James A.
Rafferty, Robert C.
Rippa, Paul M.
Simmons, John D.
Spengler, William J.
Thomas, Mark A.
Walton, Ralph G.
Weiss, David E.
Wilhelm, Blaine H.

[kalee]

Edmund Fitzgerald

[kalee]

ping

[PilotDave]

I’m no hydro engineer, but I am a sailor. Wave size doesn’t have as much to do with depth as with size of the body of water so that the wind has alot of time to create the waves. I also believe that the leading theory of the wreck is that the fitz brushed some submerged rocks when she cut by a point to close. There is a good display on the wreck in the maritime museum at park point in Duluth. Also a great place to walk out on the breakwater and watch the ships go by so close.....

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Everything I've read points to a shoaling that riped a hole in her belly. Lake Superior is deep, cold and dangerous.

[traderrob6]

Those from the far reaches of the coasts or possibly the prarie regions don’t realize the immensity and power of the Great Lakes.

I, as many have seen the squalls blow up in a matter of minutes and shake and scare the ever loving crap outta you.

I know longer live there, but I miss it, the sheer power of a huge inland lake. They’re all dangerous, but notice how GL belittles Huron, Michigan and Erie. Superior is called that for a reason, it’s a mother.

[PilotDave]

From the Wiki page:

“The most common alternative theory contends that inoperative radar forced the crew to rely on inaccurate charts. The Canadian and American versions of the same chart placed shoals and shallow water in different places, and failed to mark some shoals at all. As a result, Fitzgerald briefly ran aground or scraped a shoal near Caribou Island without the crew being aware of it. Consequently, she received bottom damage, which caused her to gradually take on water until she sank so suddenly in the deep water that none of her crew had time to react. The ship, pile-driving into the lake bottom, snapped in half, and its stern landed upside-down on the bottom. (If so, given the ship’s length vs. the depth of the water, the stern could still have been above water when the bow hit bottom.) This theory is supported by final radio communications between Anderson and Fitzgerald; Anderson had been struck by two large waves that were heading toward Fitzgerald. If the hull had indeed been breached, it would be difficult to prove. Fitzgerald has settled in mud up to her load marks, making it impossible to inspect for damage.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wife & I almost bought a lakefront piece of property north of Silver Bay but the reality of eight months of winter finally hit home. I love visiting the North Shore but it's just a visit, OK ?

[Nuc1]

Yes and there have been TV shows about her with underwater pictures on History or Discovery or something. The suspicion looks to hatch covers as the problem but I would bet a freak wave put her down.

[Nuc1]

There is just something not right about this picture. ;D)