Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Remembering the Edmund Fritzgerald



Thirty-five years ago today, the Edmund Fitzgerald went down in Lake Superior… The photo is of a puzzle of the ship that was put together at Sage’s house a few winters ago. Thanks to Gordon Lightfoot, we’ll always remember the ship and the crew who went down with it. Every November in the Great Lakes region, we hear the song on the radio.



Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turns the minutes into hours?
The Big Fritz was a large ship for its time. Today, they have iron haulers on the Great Lakes that are over a 1000 feet long and 105 feet wide (the Fitzgerald was 700 or so feet long). It's amazing to be at the Sault locks, watching a 1000 foot long vessel slide into a lock that is 110 feet wide (that's 2 1/2 feet margin on each side)!

I’ve been overwhelmed since arriving back in the early morning hours of last Thursday. I have a lot of ideas for writing, a stack of read books to review before I forget what they were all about, and photos galore to share… Maybe next week! Have a good rest of the week.

26 comments:

  1. Ah yes, this is a sad tale, and one I've lived with from growing up in Michigan and now living in Minnesota.....Duluth has a nice accounting and details everything about it's loss! Worth seeing if you haven't yet!

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  2. Have they actually found out why the thing sank.
    Years ago I remember watching a documentary that speculated lots. But leaned on metal fatigue as being the cause.

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  3. The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they called gitcheegoomi. The lake it is said never gives up her dead...Odd how we never hear Black Day in July as often.

    Vince since they found her the current thought is the dogs on the hatch covers failed and she took on water into the holds.

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  4. That's cool that your family did that puzzle. And I love that song by Gordon Lightfoot. Hey - take your time. No rush on the blogging and reviews - you can pace it out.

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  5. That song by Gordon Lightfoot has always touched me immensely, and the lines you quote here are perhaps the most powerful in a very powerful work.

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  6. I was listening to the song off and on at work yesterday in remembrance. Love that song. I also saw a program last evening on it and learned that the original bell tolls every year on the anniversary while a new bell with all the men's names inscribed on it was put in it's place at the bottom of the lake as a grave marker of sorts.

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  7. Karen, I haven't been to the museum in Duluth, but I have been to the Lifesaving Station museum at Whitefish Point which has the bell from the ship.

    Vince, what I've heard is the same as what the Walking Man says--the hatches opened and let water crash in

    Walking Guy, what do you mean by "Black Day?"
    November is a tough month on the lakes, there is a ship that ran around (and is still there) just off the Manitou Islands in a November storm in the mid-60s

    Lynn, I know, but I do like to write things while they're fresh!

    Charles, it's a haunting song...

    Ed, I haven't seen that program. I would recommend the museum at Whitefish Point, if you ever get up that direction.

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  8. You won the giveaway over at my blog! Come check it out and email me your mailing address so I can send you your goodie box..

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  9. Lately it feels like life is moving in fast forward.

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  10. Listened to the G. Lightfoot song a hundred times at least. Still haunts me....I had the idea that it was in shallow enough water that a massive wave drove it into the bed of the lake, which made it break up. Maybe that's just a theory.

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  11. Ah yes Whitefish Bay, I bought a book called Lake Superior's Shipwreck Coast after my trip to Copper Harbor, Mi. it's about maritime accidents from Whitefish Bay to Grand Marais, Michigan...great book packed with lots of info! Of course it's always great to actually visit these places! Thanks for the follow, I drifted on to your great blog and happy that I found it again!

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  12. I remember when that song was popular, but otherwise, know nothing about that ship.

    Welcome back! I look forward to some regular posts.

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  13. Lightfoot's tune is haunting and has done much to keep us aware of this tragedy.

    I just read a blog post the other day about someone's reflections about the incident. http://riverdaze.blogspot.com/2010/11/lost-ship-remembered.html

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  14. I just recently got into Gordon Lightfoot's music after watching an infomercial for a collection of songs from the 70s.

    No, I didn't order the collection, but I did go and download some GLight music from iTunes.

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  15. Blogger wouldn't let me comment yesterday.

    Those of us who live away from the Great Lakes have really no idea how much commerce is conducted on those waterways and how dangerous they can be.

    Cheers.

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  16. I don't remember ever hearing that story or reading about it. Thanks--will Google it

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  17. take your time to catch up. It's always refreshening to read you

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  18. One of those indelible memories of an intense November storm and tragedy.

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  19. Well, I'm glad you've returned safely...with many a story/photo to share.

    And yes, it's amazing how much power a good song can have. The ability to teach...as well as a melody that sticks in our heads...(thanks for that)

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  20. If I don't write them soon after they happen, they usually don't get written. I'm going to try to post more this trip. Look for me on Thursday!

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  21. "Black Day in July" was another Lightfoot song about the '67 revolt in Detroit.

    I listen to both of them quite often.

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  22. I got chills reading this. Only 35 years ago this happened?? Thanks for sharing the history, and that's a cool puzzle, btw!

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  23. 35 years ago? That seems like something I should have learned about...

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  24. The song was really a stand-out in its time, and is now a part of the history of the ship in many ways. Last year a friend from the mid-70s found me again on facebook after hearing the song on the radio that morning going to work. He said he remembered sitting in my living room and me playing it for him.

    My half-brothers were all three raised in Duluth (we didn't grow up together) and I have visited there a couple of times. There, they keep the memory very much alive.

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