'The Gales of November' explores the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy and the legend it inspired

Key Concepts

• SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
• Great Lakes shipping industry
• Gordon Lightfoot's ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"
• Human stories behind the tragedy
• Improvements in Great Lakes maritime safety
• Efficiency and risks of Great Lakes shipping

The Sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and its Enduring Legend

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, an event that claimed the lives of all 29 men aboard and became the most infamous shipwreck on the Great Lakes. William Brangham discusses the tragedy and its lasting legacy with John U. Bacon, author of the new book "The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

The Ship and its Final Voyage

Launched in 1958, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a colossal vessel, nearly 730 feet long, and a symbol of pride for the Great Lakes. It primarily transported iron ore from Minnesota mines to steel mills in Detroit and Toledo. On November 9, 1975, "The Fitz," as it was known, departed from a port near Duluth, Minnesota, carrying 26,000 tons of iron pellets destined for Detroit. This was intended to be its final trip of the season. However, a severe storm was developing and heading towards the Great Lakes. To seek shelter, the Fitzgerald's captain diverted the ship from its usual course, heading north towards the Canadian shore.

The Storm and the Sinking

By the afternoon of November 10th, the ship was turning towards Whitefish Point in the southeastern corner of Lake Superior. Winds were reaching gusts of up to 100 miles per hour, generating waves estimated to be as high as 60 feet. During this ordeal, the Fitzgerald lost its radar, sustained structural damage, and began to list. Bernie Cooper, captain of the SS Arthur Anderson, which was trailing the Fitzgerald, described the seas as "the biggest we ever had" and speculated that two massive waves might have overwhelmed the Fitzgerald. The Edmund Fitzgerald sank that night in the frigid waters of Lake Superior, a mere 17 miles from safety. The wreck remains at the bottom of the lake, over 500 feet deep, and no bodies were ever recovered.

The Legend and Gordon Lightfoot's Ballad

The story of the Edmund Fitzgerald gained widespread recognition through Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot's folk ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," released less than a year after the sinking. The song became a surprise hit, introducing the tragedy to an international audience and solidifying its legendary status. As Lightfoot sang, "The captain wired in he had water comin' in and the good ship and crew was in peril and later that night when his lights went outta sight came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

The Untold Stories: Humanizing the Tragedy

John U. Bacon emphasizes that while much has been written about the Fitzgerald, his book aims to uncover the "untold part" by focusing on the human element. He interviewed six crewmen who had served on the ship prior to its sinking, providing insights into the captain and crew's personalities and the ship's operations. Bacon also spoke with 14 of the 29 families, many of whom had never spoken to the press before, to learn more about their lost loved ones.

Examples of Personal Stories:

• Captain Ernest McSorley (63): A highly experienced captain, McSorley was nearing retirement. He extended his service for one more trip to secure a bonus for his wife, Nelly, who was undergoing 24-hour care, likely for cancer. This decision makes his loss particularly poignant.
• Eddie Bindon (47): After a 25-year marriage to his wife Helen, Bindon was also close to retirement. The day before the sinking, he purchased a two-carat diamond ring for his wife's 25th anniversary. For reasons unknown, he entrusted the ring to a friend to mail to his wife instead of taking it with him. His wife received the ring three days after the wreck and never took it off or remarried.
• Bruce Hudson: Two months prior to the sinking, Hudson learned his girlfriend, Cindy Reynolds, was pregnant. He promised they would move in together and raise the child. Tragically, he perished, and Cindy believed she had lost her only child, unaware that she would become a grandmother six months later.

The Impact of the Song on Maritime Safety

Bacon asserts that Gordon Lightfoot's song was instrumental in popularizing the Edmund Fitzgerald's story and, consequently, in improving safety within the Great Lakes shipping industry. He notes that out of approximately 6,000 Great Lakes shipwrecks between 1875 and 1975, the Fitzgerald is the only one widely known due to the song. The ballad brought attention to the entire industry, leading to advancements in weather forecasting, communication with captains, and a greater emphasis on common sense – such as avoiding sailing in severe weather. Since 1975, there have been no commercial Great Lakes shipwrecks, a stark contrast to the previous century. Bacon likens the impact of the Fitzgerald sinking to "9/11 for the shipping industry," forcing a significant wake-up call and subsequent improvements.

The Importance and Risks of Great Lakes Shipping

The book also highlights the critical role of Great Lakes shipping in the national economy, transporting essential goods like cement, cars, and food. Shipping is significantly more efficient than rail (three times) and trucking (six times). However, it is also more dangerous. Experienced sailors often consider the Great Lakes more perilous than the Atlantic Ocean. This is due to the nature of the waves: saltwater tends to spread out waves, creating gentler "roller coasters," while Great Lakes waves are closer together (10-16 seconds apart versus 4-8 seconds apart) and can form "mountaintops." Furthermore, Great Lakes storms are locally generated, meaning they can develop rapidly directly overhead, unlike ocean storms which are typically hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Remembering the Fitzgerald Crew

John U. Bacon hopes that the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy will be remembered solemnly, with the crew recognized as heroes. He emphasizes that these men, like fishermen, farmers, factory workers, and miners, are the backbone of the economy. The families of the lost crew members have formed an incredibly close bond, describing themselves as a family. One daughter shared that they are "holding our own," a phrase that has become a poignant reminder of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Conclusion

The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald remains a significant event in Great Lakes history, not only for its tragic loss of life but also for its profound impact on maritime safety and its enduring place in popular culture, largely due to Gordon Lightfoot's iconic ballad. John U. Bacon's book, "The Gales of November," delves into the human stories behind the legend, offering a deeper understanding of the individuals lost and the lessons learned from this pivotal shipwreck.