The legendWhen the Edmund Fitzgerald sank, it was November, which is the month of storms in the Great Lakes. The storm that hit the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald was, according to Captain McSorely,
“... one of the biggest storms I have ever witnessed.” Both of the water pumps on the Edmund Fitzgerald were damaged, and the lifeboats were destroyed in the storm. The storm was so strong that it had taken out the power to whitefish bay, so the Edmund Fitzgerald was blind in the darkness of the storm. No one was allowed on the deck. Radio transmission was recorded between the Avafors and the Fitzgerald at around 6:00 p.m. Avafors: "Fitzgerald, this is the Avafors. I have the Whitefish light now but still am receiving no beacon. Over." Fitzgerald: "I'm very glad to hear it." Avafors: "The wind is really howling down here. What are the conditions where you are?" Fitzgerald: (Undiscernable shouts heard by the Avafors.) "DON'T LET NOBODY ON DECK!" Avafors: "What's that, Fitzgerald? Unclear. Over." Fitzgerald: "I have a bad list, lost both radars. And am taking heavy seas over the deck. One of the worst seas I've ever been in." Avafors: "If I'm correct, you have two radars." Fitzgerald: "They're both gone." The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald was significant to U.S. history because at the time, it was the largest ship of it’s kind, and there was and still is controversy as to what caused it to sink. The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was also the biggest ship wreck in Great Lakes history. |