Posted on 11/10/2009 12:12:18 PM PST by LukeL
34 years ago today, on November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald - aka "Mighty Fritz," - foundered and sank during a storm on Lake Superior. Launched on June 8, 1958, the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes for the next 13 years
(Excerpt) Read more at gather.com ...
What many don't realize is that Lake Superior is so deep and stays so cold, the gases that normally form from decomposition don't form and therefore don't raise the body to the surface.
“about the Yugo which blew off of the Mackinac Bridge in 1987.”
??!! You have to tell us about that one.
That was Harry Reasoner doing the news. Sure brings back memories.
“winding their way up the Cuyahoga River to the steel mills”
That definitely calls for:
http://www.rhapsody.com/randy-newman/sail-away/burn-on/lyrics.html
There’s a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s a red moon rising
ON the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
Cleveland city of light city of magic
Cleveland city of light you’re calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
‘Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin’ through my dreams
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But the Lord can’t make you burn
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
I saw a show on the Edmund Fitzgerald a few years back (Discovery channel?) that quoted the captain of the Arthur Anderson, (the last ship with radio contact to the Fitzgerald), who had been working the Great Lakes shipping business for 40 or 50 years, as saying it was the worst storm he’d ever seen.
In 1989, 31-year-old Leslie Ann Pluhar, driving a 1987 Yugo over the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, was literally blown off over the bridge’s 36-inch railing by 50 MPH gales. This event was widely publicized at the time and is still referred to today in terms of the car. In actuality every driver that day had been warned against traversing the bridge. Pluhar had insisted on making the crossing, and officials said later that excess speed was a factor in her death.
I wonder if Paul Shanklin has heard about that.
Gordon Lightfoot at his best, is one of the best. Salute and thanks for the lyrics. Saw an interview with him a couple of years ago; painfully thin, his eyes showed a mixture of pain and innocence. Hope he's still free of the demon rum.
Militant
I believe Gord sobered up in 1982 and claims soberiety to this day. No reason not to believe it.
Militant
Lol! That’s always great.
A bummer for Pluhar. I wouldn’t like driving across that bridge one bit:
http://www.unsolvedmysteries.com/usm486470.html
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
MEthinks the last communication from Captain McSorley was, “We are holding our own”.
I grew up in SW michigan, and remember this day well. I was in jr high school, and have been fascinated by the sinking ever since it happened.
Worked at RenCen, near the Maritime Sailor’s Cathedral. Always showed up for the 11:00 am remembrance each year.
RIP heroes of the Lakes.
NEver mind the curveball, Ricky....throw ‘im the heater...
lol
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