If the Edmund Fitzgerald had arrived at Zug Island that day, it would have been docked for the rest of the season. Imagine what it would have been like to be 17 miles from your destination and encounter 58 m.p.h winds and 35 foot tall waves.
Route of the Edmund Fitzgerald
If you prefer a more interactive approach to the Edmund Fitzgerald, check out Star Tribune's (a Minneapolis newspaper) "Edmund Fitzgerald." They have produced a nice piece on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Use the link below to explore maps and information about the ship, its final course, and graphic representations as to why the ship sank (amongst other things).
Based on new evidence "The Dive Detectives" found, Gordon Lightfoot plans to change the lyrics in his song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". Do you think the lyrics should be changed, or not? Feel free to provide reasons for your opinion.
Below is a video that showcases Gordon Lightfoot's song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Click play to learn a little more about the ship's demise and hear the song.
It was originally thought that partnered with severe November weather, the reason for the Edmund Fitzgerald's tragic ending was crew error. It's been thought that the crew hadn't secured the hatches, which then led to the mysterious November 10, 1975 wreckage. However, as new evidence has been discovered, the U.S. Coast Guard has exonerated the crew from errors. With that in mind, Gordon Lightfoot, song writer and singer of the hit song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" , has said he will change the lyrics to reflect the lack of error. He remains in close contact with the crews' family members and plans to change the lyrics out of pure respect for the men and their families. Lean more by watching and listening to the documentary. Then follow the link to read more!
There exist different theories about reasons the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald succumbed to Lake Superior. A variety of information regarding the ship's tragic fate is included in the following link. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) presents its findings, and the U.S. Coast Guard's full report of the tragedy is available, as well.
Maptech Map Server allows a person to view a specific area of choice. Options include topo, nautical, aeronautical, and navigational maps.
After learning about the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, think about what factors caused the ship to sink. Was it the ship's construction/engineering, captain, crew, taconite company, or simply the weather that caused the tragedy? Was the tragedy caused by a combination of factors? Discuss your thoughts, being certain to support your thinking.