What happened to Edmund Fitzgerald?

SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29 men. When launched on June 7, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America’s Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there.

What caused the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

In 1977, the U.S Coast Guard pinned the sinking on massive flooding of the cargo hold caused by faulty or poorly fastened hatch covers. The slow flooding supposedly went unnoticed by the captain and crew until it caused an imperceptible but fatal buoyancy loss and eventually sent the Fitzgerald plunging to the bottom.

Where did the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald occur?

Lake Superior
The Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with her entire crew of 29 men on Lake Superior November 10, 1975, 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan.

Did the Edmund Fitzgerald have a sister ship?

The Edmund Fitzgerald was the first of two similar sister ships constructed by Great Lakes Engineering Works, the other being her sister Arthur B. Homer of 1960, constructed for Bethlehem Steel.

What was the water temperature when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank?

“They found no survivors,” Wiard said. “We’re sure it’s from the Fitzgerald.” The National Weather Service reported hurricane force winds gusting to 80 miles an hour and waves running to 25 feet. It said the water temperature was 49 degrees and the air temperature 41.

Can you dive the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Fitzgerald was not Illegal to dive at that time. However, in 2006, the Canadian Government passed a Law the will not allow anyone to dive it and two other shipwrecks in Canadian waters of Lake Superior. There is a one Million Dollar fine for diving it!

Were any bodies recovered from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Although the captain of the Fitzgerald reported having difficulties during the storm, no distress signals were sent. The entire crew of 29 people died when the vessel sank. No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage.

Who were the crew members of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

The Captain & Crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald

• Ernest McSorley — Captain born in 1912.
• John McCarthy — First mate born in 1913.
• James Pratt — Second mate born in 1931.
• Michael Armagost — Third mate born in 1938.
• David Weiss — Cadet born in 1953.
• Ransom Cundy — Watchman born in 1922.
• Karl Peckol — Watchman born in 1955.

Did they find any bodies from the Edmund Fitzgerald?

The entire crew of 29 people died when the vessel sank. No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage. Later when the wreck was found, it was discovered that the ship had broken in two. It still sits on the bottom of Lake Superior at 530 feet deep.

Are there any bodies on the Edmund Fitzgerald?

No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage. Later when the wreck was found, it was discovered that the ship had broken in two. It still sits on the bottom of Lake Superior at 530 feet deep. Conditions on the Great Lakes can be extremely treacherous and can produce high waves.

How long does it take a body to decompose in Lake Superior?

Bodies have been retrieved almost completely intact from waters below 44 degrees after several weeks, and as recognizable skeletons after five years.