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The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

frederick stonehouse

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The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, in the early evening of November 10, 1975, disappeared during a heavy snow storm on Lake Superior. Her captain and crew of 28 men are still listed as "missing." Commemorating the 30th Anniversary, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" has been reformatted and redesigned with updated information and new detailed photos.

277 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1,1977

This edition

Format
277 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 2006 by Avery Color Studios
ISBN
9781892384348
ASIN
1892384345
Language
English

More editions

About the author

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frederick stonehouse

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Frederick Stonehouse has authored over thirty books on maritime history, many of them focusing on the Great Lakes and contributed to several others. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Great Lakes Lighthouse Tales are regional best sellers. Wreck Ashore, the U.S. Life-Saving Service on the Great Lakes, won a national publishing award and is the predominant work on the subject. Another book, Haunted Lakes, Great Lakes Maritime Ghost Stories, Superstitions and Sea Serpents, has opened an entirely new genre in Great Lakes study. His book, Final Voyage, is the first Great Lakes shipwreck book for children.

He has been a consultant for both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada and has been an "on-air" expert for National Geographic, History Channel and Fox Family, as well as many regional media productions. Awards for contributions to Great Lakes maritime history have been received from Underwater Canada, Our World Underwater, Marquette Maritime Museum and Marquette County Historical Society. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Association For Great Lakes Maritime History Award for Historic Interpretation. The Award is presented annually in recognition of an individual making a major contribution over many years to the interpretation of Great Lakes maritime history in furtherance of the goals of the Association. In addition he was named the Marine Historical Society of Detroit's “2007 Historian of the Year.” The award is the result of election by past MHSD Historians and recognizes persons who have actively contributed to the study of Great Lakes history. He holds a Master of Arts degree in History from Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 53 votes)
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53 reviews All reviews
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FuyuChan1111
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I had never read the whole official report before.

This lack of prior experience made it all the more interesting.

The thought of delving into the details of an official document that I had previously overlooked intrigued me.

I wondered what kind of information and insights it would contain.

Perhaps it would shed light on aspects of a particular topic that I was not fully aware of.

As I began to read, I found myself engaged in the content, eager to discover what lay ahead.

The format and language of the report were different from what I was used to, but that only added to the challenge and excitement.

With each page turned, I felt a sense of anticipation, not knowing what new revelations awaited me.

It was an opportunity to expand my knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Overall, the experience of reading the whole official report was both interesting and enlightening.
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erlkaw16
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This book offers a unique perspective on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

From a seaman's point of view, it contains all the information you could desire.

If you are interested in the specs and technical aspects, Stonehouse provides you with everything you might possibly need.

However, if you are seeking elements of legend and how others perceive the ship, they are somewhat included, but they are not the main focus.

The book seems to be more centered around the practical and technical details that a seaman would be concerned with.

It offers a comprehensive look at the Edmund Fitzgerald, covering various aspects that might not be as well-known to the general public.

Whether you are a maritime enthusiast or simply curious about this famous ship, this book could be a valuable addition to your collection.

It provides a detailed and in-depth exploration of the Edmund Fitzgerald from a seaman's perspective, giving you a better understanding of this iconic vessel.

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MuteFrog
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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A great overview, indeed. However, it is organized rather poorly and is in desperate need of an editor or proofer.

It is truly fascinating to learn that we still don't really know why this ship went down, and perhaps we never will. The details provided here are captivating.

We can only imagine the events that led to the ship's demise. Was it a mechanical failure, a navigational error, or something more sinister?

Despite the lack of concrete answers, the mystery surrounding the shipwreck continues to intrigue and fascinate.

Maybe one day, new evidence will come to light, and we will finally have a better understanding of what happened.

Until then, we can only speculate and wonder.

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CypressStation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I still have no clue as to what exactly happened to the Edmund Fitzgerald, and I don't believe I ever will. That's perfectly fine! Sometimes, mysteries persist despite ongoing scientific curiosity.

Besides the actual events of the shipwreck, what intrigued me the most in this book was the numerous instances of finger-pointing among the Coast Guard, the industry, and independent investigators in the various reports summarized here. Each side presents fairly strong and well-supported arguments, whether it's for gradually increasing flooding, holing on the shoals, or some other theory. And each also offers a plethora of rebuttals for any theory put forth by another party, ensuring that no consensus is ever achieved.

One thing I've gleaned from failure analysis is that even the most improbable of events, unless ruled out, could potentially be the cause. Therefore, when planning corrective actions, each of these possibilities must be taken into account to prevent a similar mishap in the future. Were the recommended corrective actions adequate? No. The Coast Guard is still (at the time of writing) insufficiently equipped for the area, the industry has not invested in proper safety or design regulations for their ships, and shipping culture has not changed to be more safety-oriented. Will a similar casualty occur again with no clear explanation? Probably not with the advent of better technologies, but systemic problems still exist that could lead to these types of issues (think Boeing).

The book itself wasn't all that great. It felt like a rehash of the official reports from that time, but I suppose it was a fairly concise summary of the events and made it understandable for a layperson. I was interested enough to read it very quickly, so perhaps giving it only 3 stars is a bit too harsh. Shipwrecks, however, are inherently fascinating...
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Lord_Trideth
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The "SS Edmund Fitzgerald" set sail from Superior, Wisconsin near Duluth, Minnesota on November 9, 1975. It was carrying a load of taconite pellets destined for Detroit, Michigan.

On November 10, the massive 729-foot Fitzgerald was no match for a powerful snowstorm. It ultimately foundered in the crushing seas at the southeast end of Lake Superior. The ore steamer broke in two and came to rest in 530 feet of water, approximately 17 miles from Whitefish Point and the safety of Whitefish Bay. Tragically, all 29 crewmen were lost. There was no distress signal sent, no witnesses, no survivors, and no bodies were recovered.

Today, we are mainly reminded of this event through Gordon Lightfoot's ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which is frequently played in November. It is a wonderful and mournful tribute to the ship and the seamen who perished on that fateful day. The meaningful lyrics and catchy melody make the song well worth listening to.

I recently visited the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, which is an excellent area for migrating birds, and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. There, I was able to see artifacts recovered from the wreck. The most remarkable was the 200-pound bell from "The Edmund Fitzgerald," salvaged in 1995. It serves as a fitting reminder and is on permanent, poignant display at the museum. I took a picture of it but not with it.

This 30th anniversary edition of the book, originally written in 1977, provides a detailed account of the events leading up to that tragic day and its ongoing aftermath.
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Toste
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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By far, the most comprehensive account of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald is presented here.

This account focuses on presenting the facts rather than engaging in extensive argumentation of any one particular theory.

It details the events leading up to the fateful night when the ship went down in Lake Superior.

The various circumstances, such as the weather conditions, the ship's condition, and the actions of the crew, are all taken into consideration.

With a lack of excessive speculation, this account provides a clear and objective view of the tragic incident.

It allows readers to form their own opinions based on the presented facts, rather than being influenced by a one-sided argument.

Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for those interested in learning more about the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
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ryuzakiraiga
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I found the book to be truly fascinating. It didn't rely on being overly dramatic to capture my attention. Instead, it presented its content in a more subdued yet engaging manner. The author seemed to approach the subject matter with a great deal of objectivity. The conclusions drawn and the various theories addressed were presented in a way that made it clear that they were based on careful analysis and research. Even when opinions were expressed, they were clearly noted as such. This made the book a refreshing read, as it allowed me to form my own opinions based on the information provided, rather than being bombarded with the author's biases. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic.

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SH_928_RN
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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It is truly amazing to consider what a powerful winter storm on the Great Lakes can do to a massive freighter. The story of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior in 1975 is a captivating one, and it has been brought to life in a great non-fiction book. This incident serves as a stark reminder that Mother Nature is not to be underestimated. The forces of nature can be so incredibly strong and unpredictable, capable of causing destruction on a large scale. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a huge ship, but it was no match for the fury of the storm. The details of the sinking and the events leading up to it are both fascinating and tragic. Reading about this real-life disaster gives us a greater appreciation for the power of nature and the importance of respecting it.

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