[michmoldman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iquCH...eature=related

"does anyone know where the love of god goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours"

[kcam213]

thanks for posting.

Not originally from Michigan so I never really heard about the Fitzgerald until I moved here.

It is amazing that this huge ship went down in 1975. I was a kid and don't remember, but I wonder what it was like for people to turn on the 1100 news and hear that a huge shipping vessel sunk on Lake Superior.

Seems surreal; you would think with more modern shipping technology and weather tracking devices that this sort of thing would not happen in the 20th century.

RIP

[michmoldman]

Actually I dont think they had a whole lot of technology, I don't think they were required to. I think They took the depth of the water with a weight and rope. I don't think anything would have saved them that night anyways, it was the perfect storm. Eighty mile an hour winds, 25-35 ft. waves coming in all directions. Unreal....they probably knew they were goners.

[Bydand]

I doubt the thought they were going to sink that night. The Arthur M Anderson was only about 7 miles behind the Fitz that night and in radio contact. They were using their radar to keep contact with the Fitz and tell them where they were in regards to land, shoals, and other vessels because the Fitz's own radar was not working. The Fitz was 711' long and the Anderson had just been lengthened 120' during the winter of 74'-75' to 767' total length. We will never know what really happened that night, but one thing seems to be agreed upon by everybody involved with the search, and following investigations. It happened fast.

If you ever want a visual reminder of how powerful that Lake (and really any of the Great Lakes) can be. Go to the Soo and take the tour of the "Valley Camp" Museum ship. They have some stuff from the Fitz that was found after the wreck on display and one of the Buoys used to mark the location. It was pushed under by waves and wind and crushed like a pop can.

If you want to find some real heroes of the night though. Look to the Arther M. Anderson and Captain Bernie Cooper with his crew who agreed to go back out into the storm after reaching the relative safety of Whitefish Bay and search for the Fitz, or survivors.

[ImaMichigander]

Originally Posted by Bydand

I doubt the thought they were going to sink that night. The Arthur M Anderson was only about 7 miles behind the Fitz that night and in radio contact. They were using their radar to keep contact with the Fitz and tell them where they were in regards to land, shoals, and other vessels because the Fitz's own radar was not working. The Fitz was 711' long and the Anderson had just been lengthened 120' during the winter of 74'-75' to 767' total length. We will never know what really happened that night, but one thing seems to be agreed upon by everybody involved with the search, and following investigations. It happened fast.

If you ever want a visual reminder of how powerful that Lake (and really any of the Great Lakes) can be. Go to the Soo and take the tour of the "Valley Camp" Museum ship. They have some stuff from the Fitz that was found after the wreck on display and one of the Buoys used to mark the location. It was pushed under by waves and wind and crushed like a pop can.

If you want to find some real heroes of the night though. Look to the Arther M. Anderson and Captain Bernie Cooper with his crew who agreed to go back out into the storm after reaching the relative safety of Whitefish Bay and search for the Fitz, or survivors.

Really great info to share.... I was just under 3 years old when it happened, so I don't remember it. But the info you just mentioned makes it known that in depair there was hope and heros.... Thanks!

[MICoastieMom]

I have had the honor to speak to men who have served aboard USCG cutters in both the Great lakes and on the open seas. They all agree that storms on the Great Lakes, especially on Lake Superior, are far more dangerous and frightening because of the mixing bowl effect. On the open seas, the waves can go on for thousands of miles, giving them a chance to dissapate, but on the lakes, because they are a finite space the waves can only go so far before they hit shore and bounce back at you. So because you have the energy of waves moving in two directions combined with with very uneven lake bed, it is one trecherous place to be in a storm.

[Bydand]

Plus on the ocean you can "run" with the waves for days and let the storm blow itself out if you have to. On the Great Lakes you only have a very short time to run with the storm and then you HAVE to go either across it or against it. Either of which lacks much appeal.

[michmoldman]

Going back to the Soo next year and will be sure to go there. Thanks!

[Bluefly]

I think most people would be surprised at just how powerful Lake Superior can get and how many people get ripped out to sea and killed. To call it a lake is a bit of an injustice.

I must say though, living on Superior, it's a little disturbing the quiet pride people take in the Fitzgerald disaster. It's like they want to scream, "Look what OUR lake can do!" but know that would be inappropriate.

[michmoldman]

You are right Bluefly
But we cant take back what happened, so in a weird way maybe we do take pride in the disaster. Not because so many people died, but many people who have never been to Michigan don't realize how awesome our lakes are. I still believe many people think of a lake that you can see across, and not of lakes with such powerful storms and so many shipwrecks. I think the wreck only adds to the pride we who live in Michigan have of our lakes, which to me makes this the most beautiful state in the country.