Reading in the A/B forum I got thinking 'bout the Great Lakes and freighters and lighthouses. I'm sure many of you are familiar with this, but I hadn't read it for a while.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early.

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'.
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the Gales of November came slashin'.
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind.

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'.
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya.
At Seven P.M. a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril.
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
They might have split up or they might have capsized;
May have broke deep and took water.
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the Gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral.
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'Gitche Gumee'.
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early!

"WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD"
By Gordon Lightfoot

Somebody remember to renew this message on June 7 and November 10 of each year.

Rgds,
__
/im

I won't forget her Tim. I was out on a 30 foot Coast Guard utility boat looking for distressed boats on a different part of the Lakes when the Fitz sunk. Thanks for thinking about her yourself.

Rich

------------------

Hi Tim, I think it's great that you remember a wreck like the Fitz and the people who served on her. My interest in the whole lighthouse thing sprouted from my ongoing interest in ships. And one of the first Great Lakes ships I ever heard of was the Edmund Fitzgerald. Now, I know that she sank on November 10, 1975, but why June 7? I forget, is that when she was launched? I just can't recall.

Stephen (Jake)

So Tim, What is the significance of June 7?

Methinks July 7 is the anniversary of the ceremony during which the Fitz' salvaged bell was presented to the families of the crew, but June 7???

Pleading ignorant,

-Art

Contracted by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance with Great Lakes Engineering works, the keel of Hull 301 was laid at the ship yard in Ecorse Michigan on August 7, 1957. On June 7, 1958 the Edmund Fitzgerald was launched.

cf. http://www.oakland.edu/~ncschult/mhsd/publications/glswr/efitz.htm

Rgds,
__
/im

Thank you for remembering, Tim.

Thanks, Tim, for your post. I remember the song, and hearing about the Fitz. In 95 there was an article in the Arizona Republic about the memorial lighting of Split Rock for the lost crew. I still have the article. I have wanted to get the Split Rock HL ever since, and just 2 weeks ago I finally found one (LE.) Every time I see a likeness of Split Rock I think of the Fitz and remember those who were lost.

There used to be a museum in Sault Ste. Marie with more info about the Edmund Fitzgerald. If it's still there, and I assume it is, it's an interesting place to visit. Can't give you a name, but the Soo isn't that big!

Kathy

The Retired Ore carrier, now museum "Valley Camp" has a nice Tribute/museum for the "Fitz". Lots of nice photos, paintings and articles as well as a recovered lifeboat. If your at the Soo, it's definitely worth a stop.

Thanks for the name, Digger. That's the one I was talking about.

Kathy

Been there, done that and have to agree with Kathy and Digger....most interesting place and wonderful info on the Fitz!! If anyone ever makes it up there don't miss the lock tour...its well worth it!!

Kat

24 years ago today....

This bell plunged to the bottom of Lake Superior....


[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=64226&a=465611&p=13464932&Sequence=1[/img]


This light suddenly flickered out-only 5 years after automation....


[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=64226&a=465611&p=13464980&Sequence=1[/img]


And this ship was told that "We're holding our own..." minutes before the Fitzgerald disappeared from its radar screen....


[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=64226&a=465611&p=13465115&Sequence=1[/img]


"Does anyone know where the love of God goes,
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"

May their memory live forever...

Jakers

[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 11-11-99).]

Great pics Jake!!!!! Thanks for bringing back the memories. BTW, next time, Smile!

Thanks, Digger. I am smiling....kinda.... I think that we can call that "The Younger Days II"

Jakers

BTW, my dad was the lucky one to see the Arthur M. Anderson, not me.

[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 11-10-99).]

Ernest M. McSorley- Captain
John H. McCarthy- 1st Mate
James A. Pratt- 2nd Mate
Michael E. Armagost- 3rd Mate
George Holl- Chief Engineer
Edward F. Bindon- 1st Asst. Engineer
Thomas E. Edwards- 2nd Asst. Engineer
Russell G. Haskell- 2nd Asst. Engineer
Oliver J. Champeau- 3rd Asst. Engineer
Robert C. Rafferty- Steward
Allen G. Kalmon- 2nd Cook
John D. Simmons- Wheelsman
Eugene W. O'Brien- Wheelsman
John J. Poviach- Wheelsman
Ransom E. Cundy- Watchman
William J. Spengler- Watchman
Karl A. Peckol- Watchman
Thomas D. Borgeson- Maintenance Man
Mark A. Thomas- Deckhand
Paul M. Riippa- Deckhand
Bruce L. Hudson- Deckhand
David E. Weiss- Cadet
Blaine H. Wilhelm- Oiler
Ralph G. Walton- Oiler
Thomas Bentsen- Oiler
Joseph W. Mazes- Special Maintenence Man
Gordon F. MacLellan- Wiper
Frederick J. Beetcher- Porter
Nolan F. Church- Porter

Rest in Peace
[This message has been edited by JTimothyA (edited 11-10-99).]

Great job, Jakers. It is great to know the Fitz and her crew are not forgotten. My husband and I were discussing it on the way home from work tonight, wondering if others remembered. You've answered our question. May she live forever in our hearts and memories. When I first heard the song I didn't realize it was a true story, and wondered how anyone could write such a sad song. We saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert several years ago and he did the song, it is a great tribute to the ship and her crew.

Thanks Jakers for bringing back into view the original post and adding your great photos and prose.

And thanks Tim for contributing the names of the lost crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Gordon Lightfoot's ballad has given immortality to the Fitzgerald, her crew and her destiny on November 10th, 24 years ago.

Thank you, Jake for the wonderful pictures - great tribute. And thank you, Tim for the original post and recent memorial list!

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at the Whitefish Point Light, Michigan has a terrific Edmund Fitzgerald display, including exhibits on the recovery of the bell . . .a not-to-be-missed stop when you're in the area.

Seattle Sailors

From the Sat. Nov. 6 edition of the Detroit News -

The 24th annual service in memory of the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald was going to be held on Sunday Nov. 7 at the Mariner's Church of Detroit (the real name for the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral from the song.) The Church bell was to be rung 29 times for the crew while a Ship Masters' and Military Honor Guard stood watch.

Jim

Remember the Fitz!

------------------
Jim

Dr. Who ?

Hi Tim, Per the request you posted, I'm renewing this thread so that it will come to the top for November 10. Each person who reads it will probably start humming the tune or singing the words once again. I know I did.

Bob

Their memory WILL live on forever.....a great crew and a great ship that is as sorely missed today as it was the night she went down.

Thanks Bob for renewing this thread!!

[This message has been edited by Brent (edited 11-09-2000).]

I will be going up to Split Rock for the ceremony and lighting on the 10th. I have wanted to do this for many years but this will be my first. This is a wonderful tradition that I hope will remain for many years. Remember The Fitz!

Well we made it to Split Rock at 4:10 and missed the memorial ceremony and only caught the last few rigns of the bell. What a haunting sound. There were over 1700 people in attendence and Split Rock was lit up both the 10th and 11th. We were so fortunate to be able to climb Split Rock WITH the light on and watch that beautiful 3rd Order Fresnel Shine its light on Lake Superior. I will post Pictures soon!!!

According to an article in our local paper, Gordon Lightfoot was at a memorial service in the Old Mariners'Church on Sunday for the 29 men who lost their lives on the Edmund Fitzgerald. When asked about the song he said, "It's hard to find the words. I've been carrying this song with me for 25 years. It's not something you write and then walk away from."

The song is haunting enough, but when you see a video or news release on them ringing the bell 29 times you realize what power our great lakes can churn out at any given time.

May those 29 brave men rest in peace.

To bring back active as Tim requested in 1999..

a couple of days early but since Gary added that other link in General I thought it might be time...

If you get the chance, visit the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, MI. Fascinating, and very VERY sobering.

Thanks, Tim, for starting this thread, and thanks to everyone for remembering.

"And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'."

"Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"

She was known as "The Pride of the American Flag". Each year I read this song, it grows a bit more powerfully on me. Pause a moment to reflect.

On November 10th at 7pm the 27th the "Call To The Last Watch" annual memorial service for the loss of Captain and crew will be held at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Thanks Paulie - I have it marked on my calendar and your timing is just right.

__
/im

Thanks for the reminder. My grand-father worked for many years on the old ferries in San Francisco and finished his working days as a tug captain hauling cement barges and gathering machines. He took me out with him once in awhile and I will never forget the experience. I remember thinking when the Fitz went down how lucky I was that my grand-father was never hurt or lost to the water. He lived to a ripe old age and I'm thankful I had him for all those years unlike those who lost their's. It's a fitting reminder to all of us to be thankful for those we have had because it can all happen in a moment on a cold stormy night. Thanks Tim.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=731679482

I came across this yesterday, if anyone collects ship pins.

Ice coming to the lakes, the witch of November in the air, lakers heading to their ports.

... a wee bit late this year, but we should not forget.

__
/

A point well taken, Tim.

Where have you been? We haven't heard much from you lately.

Bob

The "Fitz" nor the crew will ever be forgotten!!

No ice yet up this-a-way Tim. And the witch was absent from Lake Ontario today when Jakers and I were up at Tibbets Point. But he was disappointed that he didn't see any lakers!

November can be pretty cruel but today the sun shown down for us and the winds were calm. We got lucky. Unfortunately, those many years ago now, luck was not in the cards for the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

"Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"

Pause a moment to remember the Fitz.

__
/im

Well said Tim.
Thanks to Gordon Lightfoot for putting it to music.

I happened to locate this thread, so I thought that I had better transfer my earlier posting...

Please excuse me if this has already been cited in the Forum and is old news. Remember that I am a relative newcomer to the Forum and cannot do an exhaustive search for every topic that has gone before!

I've received a book flier from the Midwest Booksellers Association that is featuring an apparently new book on the 'Edmund Fitzgerald':

MIGHTY FITZ: THE SINKING OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD

by Michael Schumacher
Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN # 1-58234-647-X
$24.95 hardcover

Here is a site that reviews the book:
http://books.monstersandcritics.com/nonf...hael_Schumacher

I have neither acquired nor seen the book, but members who are focused on the Whitefish Point lighthouse may want to be aware of it and take a look at it.

Contacts for the Midwest Booksellers Association:
1-888-BookSense
or
BookSense.com

Danny
_______________________________

A chicken...is an egg's way of making another egg.

Danny, thanks for pulling this up. I was in my car this afternoon when NPR was about to play the song and someone was going to talk about the Fitz - had to miss it because I had an appointment. I'm glad that the Fitz and the crew are commemorated here each year.

Oops, it was Tim who brought it up. Thanks, Tim, for always ensuring that we don't forget.