By Suzette Lopez
On June 7, 1958, the EDMUND FITZGERALD was launched.
Even at her launch newspapers just glowed about her. One described it as the giant steel hulk tumbled sideways into the Detroit River and became a ship – the EDMUND FITZGERALD. Little did they know how the mighty FITZ would become history rivaling the TITANIC.
The eight million dollar FITZ was launched at noon on Saturday at River Rouge, Michigan, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works. She was the largest ship ever built on the Great Lakes measuring 729 feet 3 inches in length just below the 730 foot limit the Army engineers ruled for use of the Soo Locks. The CLIFFS VICTORY was the next largest measuring 699 feet.
Hull 301 was built for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee, who later contracted her to Oglebay Norton for 25 years. Oglebay Norton made her the flagship of their Columbia Transportation fleet.
Edmund Fitzgerald, her namesake, was not only one of the founders of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and its first president, he was the president and chairman of the board of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Fitzgerald came from a family of Lake captains and shipbuilders including his father who owned the Milwaukee Drydock Company.
Although Milwaukee was listed as the home port of the FITZGERALD, her usual operation did not bring her into Lake Michigan. Her normal run was carrying taconite pellets from Silver Bay, Minnesota, on the north shore of Lake Superior, to a Lake Erie port, a voyage of about 750 miles, completing an average round trip in about five days.
The FITZ was always a fan of people on shore. One of her captains Peter Pulcer would play music over the ship’s intercom when passing through the Detroit and St. Clair rivers no matter whether it was day or night, and would entertain those at the Soo Locks with her history and her latest record breaking cargo. In other words, she sailed with great pride and wanted to be seen.
The EDMUND FITZGERALD is fondly remembered by many for more than a lengthy song and her loss. She was a favorite on the Lakes. She was well-known and well-liked. She was the largest ship on the Great Lakes when launched and, sadly, remains the largest ship sunk on the Great Lakes. Just in case you are new to this planet, the EDMUND FITZGERALD sunk on November 10, 1975, during a horrendous storm on Lake Superior. She took her crew of 29 including Captain Ernest McSorley with her.
—————————————————
Suzette Lopez is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
Photo at top of page: Launching of the EDMUND FITZGERALD on June 7, 1958.
Other Photos:
EDMUND FITZGERALD’s bow under construction, April 17, 1958.
EDMUND FITZGERALD’s stern under construction, April 17, 1958.
Edmund Fitzgerald with his ship in Milwaukee, July 1959.
EDMUND FITZGERALD loading at Silver Bay, Minnesota, October 29, 1958.
EDMUND FITZGERALD, summer of 1975. Photo by Bob Campbell.
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
By Suzette Lopez
On June 7, 1958, the EDMUND FITZGERALD was launched.
Even at her launch newspapers just glowed about her. One described it as the giant steel hulk tumbled sideways into the Detroit River and became a ship – the EDMUND FITZGERALD. Little did they know how the mighty FITZ would become history rivaling the TITANIC.
The eight million dollar FITZ was launched at noon on Saturday at River Rouge, Michigan, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works. She was the largest ship ever built on the Great Lakes measuring 729 feet 3 inches in length just below the 730 foot limit the Army engineers ruled for use of the Soo Locks. The CLIFFS VICTORY was the next largest measuring 699 feet.
Hull 301 was built for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee, who later contracted her to Oglebay Norton for 25 years. Oglebay Norton made her the flagship of their Columbia Transportation fleet.
Edmund Fitzgerald, her namesake, was not only one of the founders of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and its first president, he was the president and chairman of the board of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Fitzgerald came from a family of Lake captains and shipbuilders including his father who owned the Milwaukee Drydock Company.
Although Milwaukee was listed as the home port of the FITZGERALD, her usual operation did not bring her into Lake Michigan. Her normal run was carrying taconite pellets from Silver Bay, Minnesota, on the north shore of Lake Superior, to a Lake Erie port, a voyage of about 750 miles, completing an average round trip in about five days.
The FITZ was always a fan of people on shore. One of her captains Peter Pulcer would play music over the ship’s intercom when passing through the Detroit and St. Clair rivers no matter whether it was day or night, and would entertain those at the Soo Locks with her history and her latest record breaking cargo. In other words, she sailed with great pride and wanted to be seen.
The EDMUND FITZGERALD is fondly remembered by many for more than a lengthy song and her loss. She was a favorite on the Lakes. She was well-known and well-liked. She was the largest ship on the Great Lakes when launched and, sadly, remains the largest ship sunk on the Great Lakes. Just in case you are new to this planet, the EDMUND FITZGERALD sunk on November 10, 1975, during a horrendous storm on Lake Superior. She took her crew of 29 including Captain Ernest McSorley with her.
—————————————————
Suzette Lopez is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
Photo at top of page: Launching of the EDMUND FITZGERALD on June 7, 1958.
Other Photos:
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
