History Stuff

The Tragic Tale of the Edmund Fitzgerald

November 10th marks the anniversary of a maritime tragedy that echoes across the Great Lakes to this day—the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. This colossal 729-foot freighter, often called the "Titanic of the Great Lakes," met its fate in Lake Superior in 1975 during a fierce storm. It's a story of courage, mystery, and enduring legend that has captured imaginations for nearly half a century.

The Mighty Ship

Launched in 1958, the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest freighter on the Great Lakes at the time, built to haul iron ore from mines in Minnesota to steel mills across the Midwest. It was a beast of a ship, with a massive capacity of 26,000 tons and a reputation for reliability and strength. Its size and power, however, weren’t enough to protect it from Lake Superior's fury.

The ship had a crew of 29 men, many seasoned mariners with years of experience navigating these waters. For nearly two decades, the Fitzgerald was a staple on the lakes, a sight that inspired confidence—until that fateful night.

The Storm and the Final Voyage

On November 9, 1975, the Fitzgerald departed from Superior, Wisconsin, loaded with taconite pellets bound for Detroit. But weather forecasts were ominous, with a brutal winter storm brewing over Lake Superior. As the ship ventured further into the lake, the storm escalated into hurricane-force winds, with waves up to 35 feet and wind gusts over 50 mph. By late afternoon on November 10, the Fitzgerald was in trouble. Captain Ernest McSorley, a veteran of the lakes, radioed another nearby freighter, the Arthur M. Anderson, and reported worsening conditions and damage to his ship, saying, “We are holding our own.”

It was the last transmission anyone would ever hear from the Fitzgerald. Shortly after, the ship disappeared from radar. The Anderson’s crew searched, but there was no sign of the ship or its crew. The next morning, only debris was found, confirming the unthinkable—the mighty Fitzgerald had gone down with all hands.

What Really Happened?

Theories abound as to why the Fitzgerald sank, but the exact cause remains a mystery. Some believe a “rogue wave” overwhelmed the ship, others suspect structural failure, and some even think it could have been overloaded. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board conducted extensive investigations, but both reached different conclusions. The truth may never be known, adding to the eerie legend that the Great Lakes keep close to the chest.

The Legacy and the Song

The tragedy inspired Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which brought national attention to the story and immortalized the ship and crew in American folk music. For many, the song is a reminder of the power and peril of the Great Lakes, bringing new generations into the story.

Why It Endures

The legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a blend of bravery, mystery, and respect for the unpredictable force of nature that the Great Lakes represent. For those who live near the lakes or who have family in maritime professions, it’s a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who work on the water. The Great Lakes may look calm, but they hold the power to turn deadly in an instant, as the Fitzgerald reminds us every November.

So, as we pass another anniversary of this haunting event, we remember the 29 men who lost their lives and honor the courage it takes to work on the water.

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In the Now

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Science Stuff

Alaska’s Dance with the Sun

Alaska is famous for its dramatic swings in daylight hours, and it’s all thanks to its high latitude. Located near the top of the Northern Hemisphere, Alaska experiences two extremes: long, bright summer days and short, dark winter ones.

In the summer, particularly around the summer solstice in late June, parts of Alaska bask in 24 hours of sunlight. The phenomenon, known as the "Midnight Sun," is most pronounced above the Arctic Circle. Towns like Barrow (Utqiaġvik) experience a stretch where the sun doesn’t set for about 83 days, from early May until late July. It’s a surreal experience, especially for visitors who find themselves outside at midnight with the sun still shining bright. Locals take full advantage of the light, with late-night hikes, midnight baseball games, and all sorts of activities that feel a bit magical under the constant sun.

As summer fades, daylight hours begin to shrink. By the fall equinox in late September, Alaska experiences roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, just like everywhere else. But as winter approaches, daylight hours rapidly decrease. By the winter solstice in late December, towns above the Arctic Circle enter a period of darkness known as "polar night." In Utqiaġvik, for example, the sun sets in mid-November and doesn’t rise again until late January, creating about two months of near-constant night.

Further south, places like Anchorage still get some daylight even in winter but for only a few hours each day. On the winter solstice, Anchorage sees about five hours of sunlight. But while the long winter darkness can be tough, Alaskans have found ways to adjust, with festivals, winter sports, and a strong sense of community to help weather the dark months.

In Alaska, daylight isn’t just about time; it shapes lifestyle, culture, and the rhythm of life.