Ceremony to mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald’s launch
BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A ceremony is planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the famed freighter that sunk in 1975 during a Lake Superior storm.
The Detroit Free Press reports the Saturday ceremony at Lake Erie Metropark in Wayne County’s Brownstown Township is taking place several miles south of the River Rouge slip where the freighter was launched.
The Flint Journal reports Lauren B. White, who blew a whistle in 1958 for the launch, will do the same this weekend.
The 729-foot ore freighter sank Nov. 10, 1975, killing 29 men off the northern shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The story of the Edmund Fitzgerald is the stuff of Great Lakes legend. It spawned a well-known song by Gordon Lightfoot, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” ——— On the Net: Details on Saturday’s ceremony: http://www.ssedmundfitzgerald.com
Jun 6, 2008 at 10:32 p.m.
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I enjoyed Duluth. We had a nice ride on a boat.
Jun 6, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.
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Hey...give gp a break...this is his life...making snide remarks on the GE blog.
At least he's not just sitting on the sidelines...or shoreline.
Jun 6, 2008 at 6:57 p.m.
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I love that song.
Jun 6, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.
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Garyprimer- You say that song is annoying,, well with every derogatory statement you make is annoying.. you never look at something positive.. hwen readinf these blogs and statements, I yet to read something positive from you..
Most of the song if factual, some of which is just fill (not much of that though) My uncle loaded that ship and he remembered what the weather was like that afternoon. He said (in stories to us) that he had loaded 10-20 too many cars!!!.. until he died 8 yrs ago, he love to tell the stories of the big orr haulers..
he was driven to the point of sickness whe the Fitzgerald went down..shortly after he transferred to the Republic Mine (open Pit mine) Just sout west of Marquette Mi
I think the song is a great tribute to the men and Crew of the majestic Ship..
Jun 6, 2008 at 3:29 p.m.
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my husbands 1st cousin was on the "Fitz" during the early 70's and he was on the Anderson during the search for it. He says it was overloaded and split in two. There are many theories on what happen. gprimer don't to Duluth the first weekend in November, Gordon Lightfoot is there every year to mark the anniversary of the wreak
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
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Superior they said
Never gives up her dead
In the big lake they call geechi-goomi
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.
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Oh, and God's love is always with you. Everybody knows that.
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
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Oh its not the lyrics, it's the music.
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:21 p.m.
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garyprimer-I couldn't disagree with you more. The song speaks to the soul. It's a heavy song and every time I hear it it reminds me of the uncertainty and brevity of life. Brilliantly crafted masterpiece, which is why it became such a success and why people still remember it.
"Does any one know where the love of God goes
when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
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It was a huge hit, so you are in good company. I guess success is the best deodorant.
Jun 6, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.
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Gary I love that song and Bless the men that lost their lives and their families.
Jun 6, 2008 at 9:33 a.m.
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One of the most annoying songs every written. No disrespect to the men who lost their lives.
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