Wreck

I know I have sung this song many times paddling in bad weather!

Still brings tears to my eyes listening to it.

Me, too.

And today, the Gales of November are with us: gale warning for the North Shore, Grand Portage to Grand Marais. Seas seven to 12 feet. I'm going up tomorrow. Can't wait.

Mike

Well, have fun and stay away from the lake!

I remember I heard about this back in 75 on the news. I remember every year on this date. The song keeps those who lost their lives in our memories.

Thanks for posting this reminder Mocha. Every time we cross the big bridge in Superior on the way to the BW we play the song and remember the 29 men. I shared the story with my sons 30 years ago on our first trip and now my grandkids hear the story on their first trip. Don't do it to be a downer but share the song and story out of respect and remembrance.

Savage Voyageur: "I remember I heard about this back in 75 on the news. I remember every year on this date. The song keeps those who lost their lives in our memories. "

I remember seeing it on the news also and reported by Harry Reasoner, IIRC.

I had the opportunity to visit the Shipwreck Museum in Michigan about a year ago. They have a very powerful memorial to the Fitz.

Interesting factoid about the song: the version of the song that you hear on the radio and on the album was the first take of the song.... ever. What you hear is the first performance of the song ever done.

Mike

When I was young growing up in Ohio, I had a 45 of this that I’d play over and over. Even at 10 yers old, the guitars haunted me. I had no idea this was an actual event until my dad told me about it. Great song and an amazingly sad story. The song still gets me in the feels today….

I'm working in the Maritime museum in canal park today. Lots of big waves and surfers trying to catch the next big one. Not too many tourists out today.
Tom

And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.

Cool rock and roll version of Gordon Lightfoots song.

Rock and Roll version of the song.

Jaywalker: "And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.
"

Isle Royale taking the brunt of it.

Jaywalker: "And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.
"

Wow!

cyclones30: "

Jaywalker: "And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.
"

Isle Royale taking the brunt of it."

Yep. And that’s a stunning amount of red for how short this storm cycle is. If the winds stayed as is we would be seeing a lot of purple.

So is a 15’ wave 30’ from trough to peak?
Just curious.

Wave height for describing maritime conditions is trough to crest.

LindenTree: "Cool rock and roll version of Gordon Lightfoots song.


Rock and Roll version of the song. "

I'll be checking that out. Here's a version I like, from GL's fellow Canadians the Rheostatics:

Rheostatics - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

cyclones30: "

Jaywalker: "And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.
"

Isle Royale taking the brunt of it."

I would not want to come around Blake Point on Isle Royale on the
Voyageur (II ?) in those waves with all the rebound waves coming back
off the rocks.
It would certainly be a bumpy ride.
Larry S

Captn Tony: "So is a 15’ wave 30’ from trough to peak?
Just curious."

That’s how Hawaiians measure waves, but not the NOAA!

LarrySw45: "

cyclones30: "

Jaywalker: "And here is what the lake looks like right about 11pm today.
"

Isle Royale taking the brunt of it."

I would not want to come around Blake Point on Isle Royale on the
Voyageur (II ?) in those waves with all the rebound waves coming back
off the rocks.
It would certainly be a bumpy ride.
Larry S
"

I remember a 5.5 hr trip from Isle Royale NP Rock Harbor to Copper Harbor MI in an earlier version of the Isle Royale Queen (aka the Barf Barge) in September 1978. The captain kept to a direct southeasterly route from Rock Harbor to Copper Harbor despite large waves coming from the southwest. I spent most of the trip on deck with my brother due to the overheated cabin reeking of barf. The boat experienced one severe list and we heard things crashing about in the pilot house and a crew member exclaiming “holy s**t.”

Probably the best piece I've seen on the Wreck of the Fitz. Take the time and almost certain you learn something new. I learned a lot.
Great video on the Fitz...

Well, I’m enjoying a gentle breeze in the desert of Arizona thinking about the cold and how I don’t miss it. Been trying to find the ocean front property I bought here. Hmmm!
Stay warm and thanks for the links all... helps me cool down thinking about it!

nctry: "Well, I’m enjoying a gentle breeze in the desert of Arizona thinking about the cold and how I don’t miss it. Been trying to find the ocean front property I bought here. Hmmm!
Stay warm and thanks for the links all... helps me cool down thinking about it!"

Enjoy it, you deserve it!! Let us know when you find the ocean. Maybe it won't be too long before it comes in from CA and is lapping at your door!