Yes, I understand!
It just seems to me that the accident would be older than 45 years because this song seems to be about 19 7475
Song came out fall of 76, the Florida DJ said he thought it must be from an 1800s wreck.
Grew up on Detroit River about half mile across from shipping channel. I love freighters and their lines.
Was 17 getting ready for school when first heard about it. Very eerie feeling. Duck hunting friends got stranded due to water level dropping so fast from strong NW wind.
Read many Great Lakes wreck stories. Think of this one when you’re trying to fall asleep: The sole survivor of a 50s or 60s night wreck on Lake Michigan saw a black silhouette coming toward him in the distance. The freighter’s stern was still afloat and under power.
Mystery Science Theater had a two line parody of Lightfoot’s song in a wharf scene...ending with ‘they went into town and got supper’.