"We're holding our own"
Spoken by Captain Ernest McSorley, those were the last words heard from the Fitz before she went down. Lake captains are notoriously understated, especially on the airwaves. At this point, the Fitz had already sustained severe damage and was struggling to stay afloat. Had it crossed McSorley's mind that they weren't going to make it? He must have searched for an acceptable answer when asked by the Anderson, "How are you faring?" Did he survey the pilothouse to see who was within earshot? We'll never know. All he gave as his last message to the world was that simple, understated response. "We're holding our own." Moments later, the Fitz disappeared from radar.
Explore the Fitz story
Short intro vids
Each of these Youtube producers tell the basic story in short form, covering the Fitz's early years, the night she sank, and the following investigations and the debates. If you want to be only introduced to the story, the one by Mystery History is under three minutes. Depending on the time you intend to spend on the topic, you might scroll through this page once before committing to a video, because there are many from which to choose.
Source: Historsea. 20:57
​
Source: June First. 13:35
​
By Mystery History, 2:55
​
NOTE: All videos can be expanded to full size by selecting the "expand" icon in the bottom right of the control bar beneath the video (which appears once you press play).
Required reading
Most books about the Fitz, and there are many, tell the basic story well enough. However, they lack that extra depth of material and knowledge that comes only from those who have dedicated years to studying the Fitz story, have read the official reports and documents, and have personally interviewed family, friends, and experts from the many industries that have a stake in the Fitz story. Or, they lack personal accounts by people who make a living on the lakes and were on the water that night. The books listed below meet these criteria and more. They are also the most influential books in the history of the Fitz story.
​
(Click or tap the title to open it in Amazon. If you purchase it there, this site will receive a small commission to help maintain it.)
Highly Recommended!
By Robert J. Hemming
Although this is an early book to be published about the Fitz, it's also one of the best. The focus of this book is on the people and the experience. Hemming presents his facts intermixed with plausible narrative, making it one of the most readable books on the topic, and one that places the reader's senses on the lake that night.
By Michael Schumacher
Michael's books are the latest generation of books on the topic, from an expert. The Mighty Fitz adequately covers the basic story, but adds new facts and theories, plus goes deeper into the investigations. In The Trial of the Edmund Fitzgerald, he expands even further on the Coast Guard Hearings and investigations.
By Fredrick Stonehouse
This is the first book written about the Fitzgerald (1977) and remains a classic text and resource for the next generations of writers and researchers. The information in the book is still valid. And subsequent editions for the 30th and 40th anniversaries contained updated information and content.
By Hugh E. Bishop and Capt. Dudley J. Paquette
Highly Recommended!
This is the book that broke open the conversation about who was responsible for the Fitz sinking. Prior to this memoir from the experienced and respected captain, who is anything but a blowhard, it was taboo to imply negligence or attach blame to any human in general. It's still a fascinating and enlightening read. To date, it's the best firsthand account to question the official narrative.
The Legend Lives On
(Currently Unavailable)
By Bruce Lynn & Christopher Winters
Highly Recommended!
This coffee-table book is hefty, both in terms of weight and content. A Fitz lover's dream. Never before seen photos from survivors' personal collections, archives and who-knows-where these guys dug to get this collection. Unfortunately, it's available only through the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum gift shop and it appears to be out of print. So if you find one, steal it.
​
(Coming in October)
by John Bacon
I can't comment on this one because I haven't read it. Based on the author's previous works, and the inclusion of "The Untold Story" in the title, I have high hopes. I've pre-ordered it from Amazon, but it's not available until October. Early reviews are extremely promising.
News and commentary over the years
For those of you who still read, you'll find good articles below, written by traditional news sources, back when they were considered credible by everyone but crackpots.
Full-length docs
Sure. It's surprising there hasn't been a Hollywood movie about the Fitz. Everyone familiar with the topic inevitably brings that up. But even more surprising is that there isn't even a big-budget documentary on the topic. The closest is the Discovery Channel episode of Shipwreck presented below. If you watch only one, it should be that one. I also recommend the episode of Dive Detectives highlighted in the Re-examination page of this site.
Title: Shipwreck: The Mystery of the E.F.
Source: Discovery Channel (50:00)
Highly Recommended!
This is the best documentary available, containing rare footage of the Fitz and crew and heart-wrenching survivor interviews (they explain their use the term survivor in the doc). The doc does take its time getting going, the producers choosing to begin the story primarily with the deep-water dives to recover the bell years later. Not where most people new to the story want to start.
​
The buildup to the storm and sinking is perhaps the most tense and dramatic depiction of the night yet produced.
​​
Title: A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned
Source: The National Museum of the Great Lakes and Allied Media Group, Inc. (58:06)
Highly Recommended!
I almost didn't include this because it's available only from the museum book store and I didn't own it. I ordered it to make sure I wasn't missing a treasure and I'm glad I did. Because this doc is a treasure. After years of looking at Fitz content, I can still be surprised. Better buy it before it sells out. Outstanding coverage of the boat itself and the some of the best coverage of the crew and people who had sailed on the Fitz, both as guests and workers.
​
Title: The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations
Source: Ric Mixter (1:09:00)
Highly Recommended!
Although the name of this doc implies it's primarily about the investigations into why the Fitz sank, it's actually an end-to-end telling of the Fitz story. A thorough and fascinating one at that. It starts with interviews of welders who worked on the Fitz when it was being built and the experts keep coming, each with in-depth knowledge and unique and interesting theories.
This doc also has includes segment about Red Burgner, including interviews with Red, who is an early whistleblower, never shying away from his opinions about negligence.
Title: The Edmund Fitzgerald Mystery
Source: Maritime Horrors (30:15)
A solid, easily-accessible treatment of the story.
Digital re-creations
The videos below provide different interpretations of the Fitz's final moments through animations created with advanced digital technologies. I don't vouch for the technical accuracy of any of these, but they are interesting to watch and provide perspective. The last one in this series is a full doc supported by digital animation, showing the Fitz in many everyday scenarios.
From Shipwreck: The Mystery of the E.F. (:30)
​​
Source: CaljuCotcas, by Lucas Gustaffson (1:13)
​​
Source: KWShipping (10:00)
​​
Source: Historical Harbors (18:47)
​​
The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
Was the Fitz a ship or a boat?
Although technically classified as ships, lake freighters are called boats, even ones over 1000 feet long. Some say it's because of their unique design specifically made for lake navigation. I like to think it's also because of the unpretentious nature of the people in the Great Lakes region.
Fitz Specs
Length: 729 feet
Breadth (Width): 75 feet
Depth: 39 feet
Propulsion: Steam Turbine
Horsepower: 7,500
Propeller Diameter: 19 feet
Did the launch of the Fitz carry bad omens?
Seafaring people the world over are a superstitious lot. Whether they fully believe the superstitions or not, many still practice rituals or adhere to standard practices to keep from angering the weather or water gods and demons.
The launch of a ship is closely watched for signs and bad omens. The launch of the Fitz couldn't have gone worse. One man even died. Check out the videos below to find out more.
The Launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald (2:02)
Producer: GLshipwrecksociety
The Strange Launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1:21)
Producer: The History Channel
Original announcements of the Fitz sinking
Listening to the original broadcast announcements of the sinking gives you a sense of what it was like to hear the news for the first time. Imagine sitting in your 1975 living room (real or imagined) with a cocktail or a beer hearing these announcements. In the case of the ABC news reporting, the Fitz story comes on the heels of a story about Vietnam.
CBC Radio Broadcast, Jim Misiminach (sp?) reporting (2:12)
NBC News, Tom Brokaw and Rebecca Bell reporting (1:56)
​
ABC New, Harry Reasoner reporting (3:09)
The Captain and Crew
Captain Ernest M. McSorley
Captain McSorley was an experienced and well-respected Captain of the lakes. He held many records, including being the youngest person ever to attain Captain status, as well as most tonnage hauled in a year, and many more.
​
He was also known as a man of few words, who focused heavily on the financial bottom line. He was considered a foul-weather captain, meaning he'd not easily lay-up close to shore to avoid a storm. Instead, he barrelled into them to keep his cargo deliveries on schedule.
​​
He had a wry sense of humor and was not afraid on occasion to make fun of himself. He was also a devoted husband. In 1975, his wife was dying of a terminal illness. He was looking forward to the last trip of the season and getting back home to attend to her. He never made it.
To my awareness, the video below is the only extended exploration of McSorley's background.
​
Video: McSorely Biography
In the Footsteps of Capt. McSorley (24:48)
Producer: History Mystery Man
Not much is known about McSorley. History Mystery Man uncovers much about the man that you won't find anywhere else.
The Crew
Unfortunately, there isn't much content available about the crew of the Fitz. They were primarily working men on a working ship in a hard-biting industry in a time when the lives of victims weren't turned inside out for public consumption. Below, are some the best resources for learning more about the crew.
Crew and family stories
Ancestors of Fitz crew members are interviewed here about their relationship with Gordan Lightfoot as a result of his song and his involvement with the Fitz families throughout the years.
History Mystery Man chases down the car owned by a Fitzgerald crewman and makes some interesting discoveries.
The weather
A Texas Hook from a Kansas storm delivered the knockout punch
November storms on the lakes are notorious and known alternately as The Gales of November, The Witch of November, or just The Witch. Below you'll find fascinating explanations of how the Fitz storm developed and evolved into the monster it became.
The storm that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald (Recorded lecture (59:40)
Source: PBS Wisconsin
Weather at Edmund Fitzgerald sinking (9:36)
Source: MLive
Weather History: Sinking Of The Edmund Fitzgerald (1:12)
Source: 40/29 News
Beyond the Barometer: The weather at the time of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (3:28)
Source: Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
Theories and opinions
Utterly Unsatisfying
The Coast Guard hearings and NTSB Marine Accident Report were widely dismissed.
The investigation and report
All the primary books suggested on this site cover the basics of the investigation, the report and fallout afterward. But if you're a CSI nerd and not satisfied by that, you can find solace in the offerings below.
Hear theories from others
One of the things that makes the Fitz such an enduring legacy is the mystery surrounding the details of exactly how and why it sunk. There are many competing theories. Around the Great Lakes, espousing those theories is a favorite pastime, shared over one or two or three... beers.
Through the eyes of Capt. Cooper: The night the Edmund Fitzgerald went down (3:52)
Source: LShipwreck Society
Highly Recommended!
The welder of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Source: Derek Kevra
The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations with Ric Mixter -- Recorded Symposium (1:29:00)
Source: Rochester Hills TV
Mysteries of History: Edmund Fitzgerald (2:55)
Source: Mystery History
Under-sung heroes of the night
The captain and crew of the Arthur M. Anderson
The Arthur Anderson was on the lake that night. It assisted the Fitz through the storm after the Fitz's radar was knocked out. It was the last ship to communicate with the Fitz and it was the ship that reported the Fitz missing from radar and continued trying to convince a reluctant Coast Guard that the Fitz might have met tragedy.
​
But here's the kicker. After making it through that hellish storm and into the safety of Whitefish Bay, they turned around and went back into it to search for possible survivors of the Fitz, one-again facing the Witch, putting their own lives at risk.
COMING SOON
A section devoted exclusively to the Anderson.
Other recommended Fitz content
Dive expeditions and memorials
In 2006 the Canadian government (the Fitz sank just inside Canadian waters) declared the Fitzgerald shipwreck a "watery gravesite," thereby halting all diving, exploration or further investigation of the Fitz. However, prior to that, there were several high profiles dives, some as part of the investigation, others private or TV-driven exploration.
​
On July 4, 1995, a dive sponsored by many organizations retrieved the bell from the Fitz and replaced it with a replica that had the names of all twenty-nine men who perished that night engraved into it. Every year there continues to be anniversary events and memorials around the Great Lakes region. The original bell is now on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (see pics and more about the museum in the Places to Visit).
Rouge Wave or Human Error? (47:24)
Producer: Dive Detectives
Highly Recommended!
This is an episode of the investigative TV show Dive Detectives. It's one of the best docs available, highlighted in more detail in the Re-examination page of this site.
​
Producer: Ric Mixter, 2:43
Highly Recommended!
This is a promo for Ric's book, but it's a worth watch in itself. Buy the book here >
Edmund Fitzgerald on the bottom of Lake Superior
Source: Timothy Spears
Highly Recommended!
Raw footage from a dive to the Fitz. ​
Written articles about the dive expeditions
- Danielle Kaeding -
The Mariner's Church
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, just off the Detroit River, The Mariner's Church is portrayed in the Gordon Lightfoot song as "The Maritime Sailor's Cathedral." True to the song, the bell rings twenty-nines times every year on the anniversary of the sinking.
​
Read this travel blog from Unstoppable Stacey for more of the church's connection to the Fitz.
​
Ten Things You Didn't Know about the Edmund Fitzgerald: A Series of Shorts
Producer: Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Rescues
Each of these short hit videos are only a couple of minutes long but they hit fast with interesting facts and stories. The first three are included below, but if you tap the Youtube logo once the video is playing, it'll take you to the producer's Youtube channel, where you can watch the rest.