MICHIGAN — November 10 marks the 49th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior. This freighter, once the largest on the Great Lakes, went down approximately 17 miles off the shore of Whitefish Point during a fierce storm in 1975.
There were 29 crew members aboard the vessel during its final voyage. The Edmund Fitzgerald first set sail in 1958, measuring over 729 feet in length. In a poignant reminder of the ship’s legacy, a 200-pound bell was recovered from the wreckage in 1995 and is now proudly displayed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point.
A memorial service is scheduled for this evening at 7 p.m., which can be viewed on the museum’s Facebook and YouTube pages. The tragic story of the Edmund Fitzgerald continues to resonate, notably inspiring Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Looking ahead, the year 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the ship’s sinking. To commemorate this significant milestone, the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim is set to take place in late July 2025. This relay swim will start near Whitefish Point and conclude with a ceremony at the Mariners’ Church in Detroit. If permission can be granted from Canada, the event will also begin over the very site where the Edmund Fitzgerald lies.
In summary, as we remember the lives lost 49 years ago, we look forward to the future celebrations that honor their memory and the enduring spirit of those who have been touched by the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and remembrance in the face of tragedy.