On November 10, 1975, a maritime disaster unfolded that would reverberate through history and song: the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The tragedy of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a mighty Great Lakes freighter, is not only a tale of human loss but also a lasting maritime mystery. The freighter’s demise during a fierce storm on Lake Superior resulted in the loss of all 29 crew members—a chilling reminder of the lake’s immense power.
Theories abound regarding the exact cause of the Fitzgerald’s sinking. The Great Lakes shipping community, maritime experts, and even the general public have grappled with varying explanations, each plausible yet not definitive. Initial investigations by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggested that the Fitzgerald’s cargo hold flooded due to faulty hatch covers. These reports, however, have been subject to debate, with alternative theories gaining traction over the years.
One theory posited by the Lake Carriers Association (LCA) suggests that the Fitzgerald may have struck a shoal, resulting in fatal hull damage. This theory is particularly popular among mariners, though it has not been conclusively proven. Another perspective comes from retired naval architect Raymond Ramsey, who designed the Fitzgerald’s hull and later wrote of the ship’s unseaworthiness on the fateful night due to maintenance history, increased cargo loading allowances, and construction issues.
The possibility that the Fitzgerald was overtaxed and overloaded has also been considered. Bob Hom has spoken of the ship’s tendency to take on water and the decision to increase its load line, which could have contributed to its susceptibility during a storm.
The most dramatic hypothesis involves rogue waves, also known as “Three Sisters.” These monstrous waves, created by the unique conditions on Lake Superior, could have overwhelmed the Fitzgerald, pushing it beneath the surface. The companion vessel to the Fitzgerald, the Arthur M. Anderson, encountered such waves and survived, which lends some credence to the rogue wave theory.
The Fitzgerald’s wreckage, discovered in two major pieces at the bottom of Lake Superior, offered some clues but ultimately deepened the enigma. In the years following the disaster, expeditions to the wreck have been limited due to a legal prohibition enforced by the Canadian government to preserve the sanctity of the site.
While the exact cause of the Fitzgerald’s sinking remains shrouded in mystery, what is certain is the impact the tragedy has had on popular culture. The disaster was immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” a poignant reminder of the 29 souls lost to the depths of Lake Superior. On the anniversary of the sinking, the bell recovered from the wreckage is rung 30 times at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum: once for each crew member and final time in honor of all those who have lost their lives at sea.
Relevant articles:
– What sank the Edmund Fitzgerald? 6 theories on what caused the shipwreck, MLive.com
– The Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald — Aftermath, weather.gov
– Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, wanderingeducators.com
– Freediving the Edmund Fitzgerald, perfectduluthday.com