by Mark Silva
Try getting this song out of your head, today:
"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy.''
Thirty-four years from the day the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior.
Launched on June 8, 1958, the Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes for the next 13 years. On Nov. 10, 1975, it sank within in the middle of a storm, within miles of Whitefish Bay.
"The Captain wired in he had water coming in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.''
-- with thanks and credit to Gordon Lightfoot.
Comments
What a tragic event that was. May all 29 souls, rest in peace.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 10, 2009 11:18 AM
The Edmund Fitzgerald sits in about 600 feet of water in the Canadian part of Lake Superior. The bell has been recovered but none of the 29 crew members ever were. On a trek around the big lake a few summers ago, we stopped at the Soo locks and actually witnessed ore freighters passing through. Back in the day when the Fitz passed through the locks, hundreds of people would come out to see her. She set record after record, year after year hauling freight up and down the Great Lakes.
Gordon Lightfoot has immortalized the Edmund Fitzgerald in his famous song.
Posted by: Doug R. | November 10, 2009 11:58 AM
It's my youngest brother's birthday today, and e-mails are going around about it also being the anniversary of Sesame Street and, (from my military borther) the birthday of the Marine Corps. I threw in the Edmund fitzgerald, and told all my siblings they could thank me for having that song stuck in their head the whole darn day.
Posted by: Beth | November 10, 2009 2:18 PM
Today is the 234th anniversary of the United State Marine Corp.
Why does SIlva bring up the Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary, but yesterday doesn't mention the 20th anniversary of the end of the Berlin Wall - a message of freedom around the world brought about by many people, but especially Lech Walesa, Pope John Paul, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan. They drove Gorby to tear down that wall.
A great moment for liberty, while last Saturday night's vote on health care was a vote for tyranny.
Posted by: Terry | November 10, 2009 6:59 PM
Terri,
You are incorrect as usual. Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. And just a reminder to someone as ignorant as yourself, Ronnie Reagan was not in the White House when it came down. Keep sniffing those dry green teabags. And why don't you name the five Great Lakes for us, Nevermind. I wouldn't want you to strain yourself.
Posted by: Doug R. | November 10, 2009 8:11 PM
Doogie,
Let's use your logic than - so the past 10 months of this stellar economy, including the unemployment, is all BO's fault and none of the blame is President Bush's?
Do you think Bush41 was able to set in place, in a mere 10 months, all the events that led to the decision of the Soviets to call it quits? That took years to do and Prtesident Reagan was the American leader that greatly contributed to it.
Quit showing off your lack of an education from the gov't and go back to the kids table.
Posted by: Terry | November 10, 2009 10:35 PM
November 10 - Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service
. A memorial service for the men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald was held on
November 10 at Dr. Henri Belanger Park in River Rouge, Mi.
The service will be held near the Mariners Memorial Lighthouse beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The tug boat will be on hand to take out a wreath to be placed on the river.
The service will feature a plaque presentation, bell ringing, lantern lighting,
and refreshments will be served.
The service was at River Rouge Michigan on the Detroit River next to where the ship was
built at the slips and on the other side is where Zug Island is located.
MAP
A Special
Edmund Fitzgerald
Open House
Was open to the pubic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the River Rouge Historical Museum
River Rouge Historical Museum
10750 W. Jefferson Ave.
River Rouge, Michigan 48218
(Formerly Gallagher Funeral Home)
MAP
Posted by: Edmund Fitzgerald | November 11, 2009 4:03 PM
November 10, 2010
Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service in River Rouge
S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald 5th Service in River Rouge, Michigan
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday November 10, 2010
Edmund Fitzgerald Video
Posted by: Edmund Fitzgerald | August 3, 2010 12:04 AM