MICHIGAN — Sunday, November 10, 2024, will mark 49 years since the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a fierce storm on Lake Superior. This formidable freighter, the largest on the Great Lakes, went down approximately 17 miles off Whitefish Point in 1975, taking the lives of 29 crew members on board.
The Edmund Fitzgerald, which proudly sailed its first journey in 1958, measured over 729 feet in length. A poignant artifact from the vessel, a 200-pound bell, was salvaged from the wreckage in 1995 and is currently displayed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum located on Whitefish Point.
A memorial event commemorating this significant day is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. People can join the service virtually through the museum’s social media platforms.
The legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald continues to resonate, famously inspiring the poignant ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. As the 50th anniversary of the sinking approaches next year, plans are underway for the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim, which will take place in late July 2025. This relay swim is set to begin at Whitefish Point, concluding with a ceremony at the Mariners’ Church in Detroit. With the hope of obtaining permission from Canadian authorities, the swim may also start over the site of the wreck.
This remembrance not only honors those who lost their lives aboard the Alden Fitzgerald but also strengthens community ties as people come together to celebrate their memory. We look forward to the upcoming commemorations and swimming event that will keep the spirit of the Edmund Fitzgerald alive.
In summary, the article reflects on the historical significance of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the memorial activities planned, and the initiatives being developed to remember this maritime tragedy.