SUPERIOR, Wis. — The memories of the 29 people who died when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank will be remembered this weekend on the 49th anniversary of the shipwreck.
The Edmund Fitzgerald departed Superior, Wisconsin in November 1975 on what was already intended to be its final voyage.
According to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Captain Ernest M. McSorley had loaded her with 26,116 long tons of taconite pellets, made of processed iron ore, heated and rolled into marble-size balls. The captain was aware of a November storm brewing, so they took the northerly course across Lake Superior to be protected by the Canadian shore.
But, the museum says, weather conditions deteriorated, and the ship ultimately sunk 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point. While there is no conclusive evidence to say what exactly caused the ship to sink, the Coast Guard believes the freighter lost buoyancy and stability, resulting in massive flooding of the cargo hold.
"Conflicting theories about the cause of the tragedy remain active today," the museum says. "GLSHS’ three expeditions to the wreck revealed that it is likely she “submarined” bow first into an enormous sea, as damage forward is indicative of a powerful, quick force to the superstructure. But what caused the ship to take on water, enough to lose buoyancy and dive to the bottom so quickly, without a single cry for help, cannot be determined."
This Sunday, a ceremony will take place at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Minnesota at 4:30 p.m. The names of those lost will be read and the lighthouse's beacon will be lit. You can livestream the event by clicking here.
The ship's 200-pound bronze bell is on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, located in Paradise, Michigan. This Sunday you can livestream their annual event this Sunday at 7 p.m.
