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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a very well-written and highly informative book that delves into the details of a famous Great Lakes shipwreck.

I had the pleasure of reading the 25th anniversary edition, which offers a unique perspective on this tragic event.

The author has done an excellent job of researching and presenting the facts in a engaging and accessible manner.

From the history of the ship to the circumstances surrounding its sinking, every aspect is covered in great detail.

The book also includes personal accounts from survivors and witnesses, which add a human touch to the story.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in maritime history or the Great Lakes region.

It provides a fascinating look into a piece of history that is often overlooked but is no less important.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read that is both educational and entertaining.

This is by far the most erudite book regarding this tragedy that I have ever encountered. Stonehouse endeavors with great care to detach himself from the events that occurred in the lake known as Gitchee Gumee. He makes an attempt to handle the subject matter without prejudice. He briefly mentions most of the prevalent theories as to why the laker sank and criticizes the Coast Guard's presence in the Great Lakes as being scarcely sufficient to even maintain the façade of "Search and Rescue."

That being stated, the book consists of approximately 20% Coast Guard report, 15% NTSB report, 15% concise reviews of studies and diving expeditions, and 10% verbatim transcript of an interview he conducted with an Arizona newspaper. This is not "In Cold Blood" here, people. It is a more technical and detailed exploration of the incident, piecing together various sources of information to present a comprehensive picture. The author's efforts to remain objective and present the facts as they are add credibility to the work. However, it may lack the gripping narrative style that some readers might prefer. Nevertheless, for those interested in a thorough understanding of the tragedy, this book is a valuable resource.

Even though I was just a baby at that time, I was actually present at the launch of the Fitzgerald.

My father played a significant role in building it at the shipyards located in Ecorse, Michigan. The entire family had an enormous sense of pride in this magnificent ship.

The day when it went down was truly a tragic event, as if a member of our family had passed away.

I purchased and read this book a long time ago, and by chance, I came across it recently. The underwater photos presented in the book are extremely haunting. They seem to tell the silent story of the Fitzgerald's fate beneath the water.

These photos have a certain allure that draws me in and makes me reflect on the history and mystery surrounding this ill-fated ship.

It's as if they are a window into a world that is both fascinating and deeply saddening.

Each photo holds a piece of the story, waiting to be discovered and understood.

Dang! This ship got sung then dipped.

It was a rather strange and unexpected event. The ship, which had been sailing smoothly, suddenly seemed to be affected by some unknown force. As if it was following a rhythm, it got sung, perhaps by the wind or some other mysterious element. And then, almost immediately after, it dipped. The movement was quite sudden and caused a stir among the crew and passengers on board.

No one could quite explain what had happened. Some thought it might be a sign from the gods, while others believed it could be due to a technical glitch or an unusual current in the water. Whatever the reason, it was an experience that would not soon be forgotten. The ship continued on its journey, but the incident of getting sung and then dipped remained a topic of conversation and speculation for a long time.