Anniversary: The Edmund Fitzgerald Sinks – November 10th 1975

It was on this date, November 10th of 1975, that the ore ship 'Edmund Fitzgerald' sank in the icy waters of Lake Superior, taking the lives of 28 men and her captain.  The storm that took the ship down rates as one of the most severe ever recorded on the lake.  Winds reached over 85 miles per hour.  Waves topped out at over 30 feet.  The exact cause of the accident remains unknown however, and is the subject of much speculation to this day.  Did the ship hit an obstacle?   Was there defective construction?

The wreck lies about 14 miles off the Canadian coast, and surveys show the ship broken into two pieces.  The story is well known in large part due to the brilliant song about the tragedy composed by Gordon Lightfoot.  You might have seen him perform the song live here in Abilene last year at the Civic Center.  It tells the tale in a masterful way.  The video below is from 1979 and features some footage of the lake, as well as images of the fated ship.  More on the story at the link here:  (via bemidgipioneer.com)