<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Kr2EA_1GxPddHg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Kr2EA_1GxPddHg00" width="1016" height="768" ><figcaption>Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter/folk icon. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach</figcaption></figure><p>November 10th is a date that will forever be remembered in Great Lakes history. It's the anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the massive freighter that disappeared beneath the icy waters of Lake Superior during a powerful storm in 1975. The disaster claimed the lives of all 29 crew members aboard, and thanks to Gordon Lightfoot, the story has been preserved in one of the most recognizable songs in rock history.</p><p>On today's Preston &amp; Steve Show, we took some time to revisit the tragedy and the song that made sure the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald would never be forgotten. Of course, not everybody on the show is necessarily putting this particular Gordon Lightfoot song at the top of their playlist. Casey isn't especially fond of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." If he's going to listen to Gordon Lightfoot, he'd much rather hear "Sundown." </p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LFb4qzRHtKY?feature=oembed&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><h2>What Happened To The Edmund Fitzgerald?</h2><p>The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was launched in 1958 and quickly became one of the most recognizable freighters operating on the Great Lakes. At 729 feet long, she was an enormous vessel for her time and was primarily used to transport iron ore pellets from mines and processing facilities to steel mills throughout the region.</p><p>The ship was owned by the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and operated by the Oglebay Norton Company. It was named after Edmund Fitzgerald, the president of the insurance company at the time.</p><p>On November 9, 1975, the Fitzgerald departed Superior, Wisconsin, carrying approximately 26,000 tons of iron ore pellets. Its destination was a steel mill near Detroit. The ship was making what should have been another routine trip across the Great Lakes, but the weather had other plans.</p><p>A powerful storm was developing over Lake Superior. The National Weather Service had issued storm warnings, and conditions deteriorated as the Fitzgerald made its way across the lake. Winds intensified, waves grew larger, and the ship encountered increasingly dangerous conditions.</p><p>The Edmund Fitzgerald was traveling alongside another freighter, the SS Arthur M. Anderson. The two ships communicated during the storm, with the Anderson reporting the worsening weather conditions. The Fitzgerald's captain, Ernest McSorley, was an experienced Great Lakes sailor who had spent decades navigating these waters.</p><p>During the afternoon and early evening of November 10, the Fitzgerald reported damage and problems with its equipment. The ship was taking on water, and visibility was becoming increasingly difficult. Its final known communication with the Anderson came shortly before 7:10 p.m.</p><h2>Then, the Fitzgerald disappeared.</h2><p>There was no official distress call, and the ship went down with all 29 crew members. The Anderson searched the area but found no survivors. The wreck was eventually located on the bottom of Lake Superior, split into two major sections.</p><p>To this day, questions remain about the precise sequence of events that caused the ship to sink. Investigations considered several possibilities, including structural failure, flooding, and damage caused by the enormous waves. The tragedy remains one of the most significant maritime disasters in Great Lakes history.</p><h2>How Gordon Lightfoot Turned The Tragedy Into A Classic Song</h2><p>The story might have remained primarily within maritime history if not for Gordon Lightfoot. The Canadian singer-songwriter learned about the disaster after reading an article in Newsweek magazine. He was struck by the story and decided to write a song about the ship and the men who lost their lives.</p><p>Released in 1976 on his album <i>Summertime Dream</i>, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" became an enormous hit. Lightfoot's detailed lyrics, haunting melody, and unmistakable voice created an almost cinematic account of the ship's final voyage.</p><p>Rather than simply writing a song about a shipwreck, Lightfoot carefully incorporated details about the vessel, its crew, the weather, and the events surrounding the disaster. His storytelling gave listeners a way to understand the magnitude of what happened while keeping the focus on the people who were lost.</p><p>The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of Lightfoot's signature recordings. It also became an important part of Great Lakes history, introducing countless people to a tragedy they might otherwise never have known about.</p><p>Lightfoot continued to perform the song throughout his career, making occasional lyrical adjustments as additional information about the disaster became available. He understood that he wasn't simply singing about a historical event. He was telling the story of real people and their final voyage.</p><p>The Preston &amp; Steve ShowAuthor</p><p>The Preston &amp; Steve Show has been a staple of Philadelphia’s morning radio since 1998. Hosts Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison lead the show alongside Casey Boy Foster, Marisa Magnatta, and Ryan Shuttleworth, bringing laughs, interviews, and unforgettable moments to weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:30am (give or take). Listen live on 93.3 WMMR or the MMR App, watch the daily YouTube livestream, and subscribe to The Preston &amp; Steve Show’s full-show podcast to catch every moment.</p></div></body>

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November 10th is a date that will forever be remembered in Great Lakes history. It's the anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the massive freighter that disappeared beneath the icy waters of Lake Superior during a powerful storm in 1975. The disaster claimed the lives of all 29 crew members aboard, and thanks to Gordon Lightfoot, the story has been preserved in one of the most recognizable songs in rock history.

Remembering The Edmund Fitzgerald – Ship & Song

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November 10th is a date that will forever be remembered in Great Lakes history. It's the anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the massiv

Remembering The Edmund Fitzgerald – Ship & Song

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