1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a steel-hulled, American Great Lakes freighter launched on June 7, 1958, by Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge, Michigan. Measuring 729 feet (222.2 meters) in length, with a beam of 75 feet (22.9 meters) and a depth of 39 feet (11.9 meters), it was the largest ship on the Great Lakes at the time of its launch and retained this distinction until its sinking. The freighter had a gross tonnage of 13,632 tons and a net tonnage of 8,713 tons, designed primarily to transport taconite iron ore pellets from mines near Duluth, Minnesota, to steel mills in Detroit, Toledo, and other ports on the Great Lakes.
3. HISTORY #
The Edmund Fitzgerald quickly became an iconic vessel on the Great Lakes, known for its size, speed, and reliability. Throughout its 17 years of service, the ship set seasonal haul records six times and was widely admired by boat watchers and mariners alike. Captain Peter Pulcer, one of its earlier captains, became famous for playing music over the ship’s intercom and providing commentary as the vessel passed through the Soo Locks, earning him the nickname “DJ captain.”
The freighter was owned by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and operated by Oglebay Norton Corporation. Its regular route involved transporting taconite from Duluth, Minnesota, to various ironworks in the Great Lakes region.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
On November 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald embarked on what would be its final voyage, leaving Superior, Wisconsin, bound for a steel mill near Detroit. The ship was under the command of Captain Ernest M. McSorley, a seasoned mariner nearing retirement. The Fitzgerald sailed alongside the SS Arthur M. Anderson, both vessels navigating through a severe storm on Lake Superior. The storm brought near-hurricane-force winds and waves reaching up to 35 feet (10.7 meters) high.
At approximately 7:10 p.m., the SS Edmund Fitzgerald suddenly sank in Canadian waters of Lake Superior, about 17 miles from Whitefish Bay. The ship went down without sending a distress signal, and despite earlier reports of difficulty, the crew’s last message to the Anderson was, “We are holding our own.” Tragically, all 29 crew members aboard the Fitzgerald perished, and no bodies were ever recovered. The wreck was discovered four days later, on November 14, 1975, by a U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The site is in Canadian waters and is considered a grave site; thus, it is protected, and diving is generally discouraged out of respect for the lost crew.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was located on November 14, 1975, by a U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft using magnetic anomaly detection equipment. The shipwreck lies in two large pieces at a depth of approximately 530 feet (161.5 meters) in Lake Superior, about 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald rests on the bottom of Lake Superior in two large sections, surrounded by scattered debris. The bow section remains upright, while the stern section is inverted. Due to the depth of the wreck, approximately 530 feet (161.5 meters), and the sensitive nature of the site as a final resting place for the crew, it is not a site accessible to recreational divers. The area is protected by both U.S. and Canadian laws, and any exploration must be conducted with utmost respect for the lost sailors.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
- National Park Service: Website
- Edmund Fitzgerald Historical Website: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald remains one of the most tragic and well-known disasters in Great Lakes shipping history. The incident led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations on the Great Lakes, including the introduction of mandatory survival suits, improved navigational aids, and stricter vessel inspection protocols. The disaster has been immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s 1976 song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which brought widespread attention to the tragedy.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Diving on the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is strongly discouraged due to the depth of the wreck and its status as a grave site. The site is considered sacred, and both the U.S. and Canadian governments have implemented protections to preserve the wreck and respect the memory of the crew who perished. Any exploration of the wreck should be conducted with the highest degree of respect and sensitivity.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 20th Century
- Steel Freighter
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
- Tragedy
CONCLUSION #
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, an iconic Great Lakes freighter, tragically sank on November 10, 1975, during a severe storm on Lake Superior. The loss of all 29 crew members marked one of the darkest days in Great Lakes maritime history. The sinking led to lasting changes in shipping regulations and remains a powerful reminder of the dangers faced by those who navigate these vast inland seas. The story of the Edmund Fitzgerald lives on, not only in the memories of those who recall the event but also in the lasting impact it has had on maritime safety and culture.
