WHEN did it sink?A painting of the Edmund Fitzgerald
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During the 1970’s, The Great Lakes were filled with many boats and ships, carrying coal, salt, lumber, iron, and other goods to places in the U.S. and Canada. The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald sank on November 10th, 1975. It was estimated the ship sank around 7:20-7:30 p.m, after losing radar. 10-20 minutes before the sinking of the ship, Captain McSorely tried to reach out to another ship for help, S.S. Anderson, via radio transmission. They talked on radio for a while, until the two ships had their last conversation at 7:10 p.m.
Anderson: "Fitzgerald, this is the Anderson. Have you checked down?" Fitzgerald: "Yes we have." Anderson: "Fitzgerald, we are about 10 miles behind you, and gaining about 1 1/2 miles per hour. Fitzgerald, there is a target 19 miles ahead of us. So the target would be 9 miles on ahead of you." Fitzgerald: "Well, am I going to clear?" Anderson: "Yes. He is going to pass to the west of you." Fitzgerald: "Well, fine." Anderson: "By the way, Fitzgerald, how are you making out with your problem?" Fitzgerald: "We are holding our own." Anderson: "Okay, fine. I'll be talking to you later." The S.S. Anderson was only 10 miles behind the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald at this time. The two ships never did speak again, and unfortunately, the S.S. Anderson was unable to help save S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald from sinking to the very bottom of Lake Superior, the coldest, stormiest Great Lake. |