The wife and I drove up to Whitefish Point 5 years ago when she was “just” the girlfriend at the time. We drove across the Mackinac bridge and stayed in St Ignace for the evening.
That night, there were 105 MPH winds which swept through the lake and there was a steady head of wind when we made our way to Whitefish Point the next morning. As we walked the shores in front of the Fitzgerald memorial, powerful 12’ rollers crashed into the polished rocks lining the beach. Out in the distance, there was a lone freighter making its way through the powerful waves...I will see if I can find a pic of the ship.
Nothing makes a more solemn impact than standing on those shores with powerful weather blowing in your face.
wow!
I saw those waves as I was coming out of Marquette with a friend of mine as we headed back to base. I've never seen the waves that high.
I believe the Fitz also lost their radar, and the radio direction beacon also went out at Whitefish Point.
McSorely had radioed the Arthur Anderson (which was trailing the Fitgerald) and told the ship's captain, Jessie Cooper, that he was had a fence rail laid down, two vents lost or damaged and a starboard list.
I saw the Arthur Anderson moored in the harbor in Duluth about 7 years ago as I was heading out to the Boundary Waters.