AP WAS THERE: 40 years ago, Edmund Fitzgerald sinks (Does anyone know where the love of god goes)

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Tue Nov 10, 2015, 09:44 AM - Edit history (1)

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2367cf92210749b59d2afb7751cd3e18/ap-was-there-40-years-ago-edmund-fitzgerald-sinks

By HARRY ATKINS

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) — EDITOR'S NOTE: The Great Lakes have claimed thousands of ships since European explorers began navigating the waters in the 1600s, but few have captured the public's imagination as has the Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank on Nov. 10, 1975, in Lake Superior.

Much of that attention is owed to Gordon Lightfoot's haunting ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which memorialized the ship and its crew members, whose bodies remain with the sunken vessel.

"Lake Superior seldom coughs up her victims unless they're wearing life jackets. As of this time, we have no reason to believe the men of the Fitzgerald had time to get into life jackets," Capt. Charles A. Millradt, commander of the Soo Coast Guard Station, said at the time.

Nothing so tragic has occurred on the Great Lakes since.

FULL story at link.


FILE- A 1959 file photo shows the Great Lakes freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, which disappeared Nov. 10, 1975, in a storm on Lake Superior. The Great Lakes have claimed some 6,000 ships since European explorers began navigating the waters in the 1600s, but few have captured the public’s imagination as has the Edmund Fitzgerald. (AP Photo, File)

Marta and I saw this performed by Gordon live last year.

Thanks to hedgehog I changed to this video:

[onehandle]

1. We saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert a few months ago.

He was as great as ever.

[inanna]

2. Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald...

probably in my top 20 of all time favorite tunes.

Thanks for posting.

Recommended.

[Ilsa]

3. I remember the news when it happened and

Watched a well done documentary on it anout 15 years ago.
I have this song by Lightfoot.

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. Sundown, one of my favorite albums.

Hard to believe it's been that many moons ago.

[Martin Eden]

5. I visited the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point UP Michigan 2 weeks ago

Well worth the visit if you're ever in the area. There's a big Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit including the ship's bell brought up from the wreck, and a film about the tragedy. Quite moving, and a very interesting museum with a lighthouse and other buildings with exhibits.

[irisblue]

6. when the waves turn the minutes to hours....

I was in college that year in Western Michigan; that day the weather turned to sharp winds & cold from warm and sunny. The families that day.
The Church bell rang 29 times...for the wives, sons and daughters...

Whitefish Bay is beautiful and scary as you look to west and north even on a mildy windy day

[bvf]

7. I seem to recall a lot of radio stations played

an abbreviated version of this. That pissed me off.

I envy you and Marta your chance to see Lightfoot perform this, Steve. One of my favorites and it always fills me with a sense of melancholy.

[Godhumor]

8. Huh, I happen to be in Toledo, Ohio right now laying up one of our Great Lakes freighters

Good times.

[tavernier]

9. It is to the citizens of Michigan

like the San Fran earthquake or Mt. St. Helen's. I've long since left the state, but one chord of the song takes me to the shore of any of the Great Lakes in memory.

[Wounded Bear]

10. High on my list of all time favorite songs...nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. I have heard the song before. Didn't know the full story

[MrScorpio]

12. I was a 14YO Michigander at the time...

I'm a 54YO Michigander today...

This is a solemn anniversary.

[pinboy3niner]

13. Haunting song

R.I.P.

[Mendocino]

14. The legend lives on.

I saw the Fitz several times. I live near Toledo and saw her tied up here and once sailing outbound. Saw her another time passing the Soo locks. Several of the crew were from the area including the captain, Earnest McSorley. In 1995 I was at Whitefish Point for the 20th anniversary and met Gordon Lightfoot. The lakers (lake ships) and Great Lakes in general are an interest of mine.

[polly7]

15. I remember my mom and dad just being in shock.

Both of them had come from family living in the Great Lakes area. It was a sad, sad day for everyone.

[hedgehog]

16. Here

[polly7]

18. This is exceptional.

All those names and photos of the men lost, especially. Heartbreaking.

[malaise]

17. I remember this as if it were yesterday

and that was pre-cable and satellite TV.

[Omaha Steve]

19. Kick

[hifiguy]

20. I remember that well.

My band had played in a Duluth bar for a long weekend just a couple of weeks before.