# The wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald - 50 years ago today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 10, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727 "2025-11-10T14:24:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/1 "2025-11-10T14:24:07Z")
It was November 10, 1975 at approximately 7:10 pm that the good ship went down with its 29 crew members. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/2 "2025-11-10T14:32:37Z")
What always breaks my brain is the ship was longer than the water was deep so, possibly, the bow hit the bottom while the back end was above the water. Then it broke in half and that was its doom. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/3 "2025-11-10T14:36:54Z")
Well, if the bow hit the bottom, it seems probable that doom was inevitable whether or not the ship broke apart at that point. /pissant nitpick I hope to go the whole day without hearing any Gordon Lightfoot. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/4 "2025-11-10T14:45:42Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Well, if the bow hit the bottom, it seems probable that doom was inevitable whether or not the ship broke apart at that point. > […] > I hope to go the whole day without hearing any Gordon Lightfoot Jackmannii, there’s an [interesting video here](https://youtu.be/FuzTkGyxkYI) discussing possibilities of what may have happened to the ship. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/5 "2025-11-10T15:13:10Z")
I could listen to that song anytime Here’s a version with a tribute to the ship [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hgI8bta-7aw/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgUyhOMA8=&rs=AOn4CLAUQY-5AOqX9oh5u5cY2RP57fbofA "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw) ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/6 "2025-11-10T15:14:05Z")
Here a version with lyrics [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9vST6hVRj2A/maxresdefault.jpg ""The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Gordon Lightfoot (HD w/ Lyrics)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A) ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/7 "2025-11-10T00:35:18Z")
I’m hoping to get there tomorrow, its been a bit of a drive. Can’t say I’m ‘looking forward to it’ so much as I’m looking forward to the experience. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/8 "2025-11-10T00:47:20Z")
We look forward to your report. NWS says tomorrow is overnight low of 29, high of 37, and snowy and breezy. But no chance of early November gales, so you oughta be good. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/9 "2025-11-10T01:20:50Z")
I’ve visited the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point twice, most recently just two years ago. It’s an awesome display of stuff in the musem and a fascinating site in general. I hope the weather allows you to make it there, I understand they’re getting heavy snow in the UP tonight in some spots. If you can make it to Sault Ste. Marie, consider visiting the Valley Camp, a retired ore boat and museum. They have a lifeboat from the Fitz. Make sure to check out the display on the wreck of the Carl D. Bradley, too. This wreck took place across from where I live on Lake Michigan, and a bit north, back on November 18th, 1958. 33 crewmen died there when the ship broke in half during a horrible storm. Miraculously 2 actually survived, and there story is incredibly harrowing. Tomorrow night I’ll ring my big old bell, mounted on the shore of Lake Michigan 29 times at 7 PM, about the time the Fitz went down. Then on Nov 18, I’ll ring it again, 33 times for the Carl D. Bradley, at about 5:30 PM. ETA: whoops, it seems the Valley Camp is closed for the season. Never mind. Safe travels. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/10 "2025-11-10T12:41:58Z")
I visited in 2022. I stayed at Andrus Lake State Forest campground and bicycled there. I arrived before the museum opened so checked out the bird sanctuary and outdoor displays. I later biked to Tahquamenon - I had been to the upper falls many times but it was my first time to the lower falls. Before my trip to Whitefish Point, I did have dinner in Paradise… Brian ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/11 "2025-11-10T14:00:32Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Before my trip to Whitefish Point, I did have dinner in Paradise… I spent the night in Paradise, with my girlfriend at the time. Unfortunately, when we went to Whitefish Point hoping to visit the museum, it was Sunday, and as it turned out the museum was closed on Sundays. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/12 "2025-11-10T14:02:47Z")
NPR had a piece in it today. It’s the 50th anniversary. Listen to: The 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald - [The 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald : NPR One](https://one.npr.org/i/fis-523965280-587799ec8518d898814a3415c4587c7b:fis-523965280-587799ec8518d898814a3415c4587c7b-enclosure-audio) (Hope that works.) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/13 "2025-11-10T15:16:03Z")
> [@K364](#): > > I could listen to that song anytime Same here. A lot of people diss on it for some reason, but it’s one of the few songs that give me chills everytime I hear it; particularly the line _‘Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?’_ Thanks for the video. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/14 "2025-11-10T15:16:38Z")
I merged two similar threads. Sorry about jumbling the times a bit. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/15 "2025-11-10T15:18:50Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > What always breaks my brain is the ship was longer than the water was deep so, possibly, the bow hit the bottom while the back end was above the water. Then it broke in half and that was its doom. Because of how the cargo was littered on the lakebed, they now think that the bow broke off and sunk first, while the stern flipped over and floated for a bit, dumping those taconite pellets onto the bow before the stern too finally succumbed. [Cite.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald#Structural_failure_hypothesis) ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/16 "2025-11-10T15:19:20Z")
My father was friends with Edmund Fitzgerald. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/17 "2025-11-10T15:40:23Z")
I camped last night about 2 miles further than that campground. There is a ‘ninja’ camping spot at ShellDrake lake dam. No one else around, free, …..and chilly. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/18 "2025-11-10T15:46:12Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > > > What always breaks my brain is the ship was longer than the water was deep so, possibly, the bow hit the bottom while the back end was above the water. Then it broke in half and that was its doom. > > Because of how the cargo was littered on the lakebed, they now think that the bow broke off and sunk first, while the stern flipped over and floated for a bit, dumping those taconite pellets onto the bow before the stern too finally succumbed. [Cite.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald#Structural_failure_hypothesis) The following is aimed more at @Whack-a-Mole than @John_DiFool … In shallow enough water with enough wave action and maybe a shoal area on the lake bottom a ship can be more or less level and still slap the bottom somewhere along her length. With usually catastrophic results. As to ships longer than the available depth, lots of submarines routinely operate submerged in waters shallower than they are long. The Russian **[Kursk submarine disaster - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kursk_submarine_disaster#)** was one such (in)famous example. After the explosions, if there had been a way to tilt the hull vertically with the destroyed bow down, the remaining crew could have ~~walked~~ climbed aft then simply opened a rear hatch into the sunshine. Diagram here: > **[Kursk: The World's Largest Submarine](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/kursk-the-worlds-largest-submarine--755267800003109164/)** > > Explore the incredible Kursk, the largest submarine ever built. Discover the secrets of this massive vessel and its important role in naval history. Dive below the surface and learn about the challenges faced by submariners. Experience the power and... ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/19 "2025-11-10T17:28:13Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I hope to go the whole day without hearing any Gordon Lightfoot. Well, without the song would anyone remember? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727/20 "2025-11-10T18:55:55Z")
If you don’t wanna hear Gordon, try this version… [Headstones - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8LBkYjniTU) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wreck-of-the-ss-edmund-fitzgerald-50-years-ago-today/1024727.md?page=2)