The Edmund Fitzgerald

[Remali]

It was 33 years ago today, that the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. I remember when that happened, it was so sad.

http://www.boatnerd.com/fitz/

[Remali]

And, Gordon Lightfoot did a song about it....

YouTube - Gordon Lightfoot - The Edmund Fitzgerald - Dedication

[Dakota Sunrise]

I know that song, I have a Gordon Lightfoot cd.. It's a really good song, but so sad.

[JackieB]

I remember, too. God Bless those brave men.

Here is a video tribute with Gordon Lightfoot's haunting ballad. I encourage anyone who doesn't know about the Edmund Fitzgerald to watch it.

YouTube - Edmund Fitzgerald

[Remali]

I always get teary-eyed when I listen to that song.....

[JackieB]

Oh, I see that Remali beat me to it.

There is something about that tragedy that brings tears to my eyes every time. Most people have no idea just how rough the waves can get in the Great Lakes. There are many stories of captains who have sailed all around the world in giant freighters being humbled by the Great Lakes. It's because the waves reverberate off the shores instead of continuing on for hundreds of miles.

The winds that night at the Mackinac Bridge were recorded at nearly 100 mph. The waves on Lake Superior were probably something like 30 feet high. When they finally got a look at the wreckage some 20 years later (it's in 600 feet of water), those enormous steel plates were twisted like an aluminum soda pop can.

[Remali]

I wondered about that JackieB....I was just thinking of looking up the info online about the storm that night.
Unreal how bad it must have been to mangle the Edmund Fitzgerald so badly. I was 19 years old at the time, one of my best friends was from northern MN up on the Lake Superior shoreline, and I remember her talking about it.

[WashingtonBay]

When I die I want Gordon Lightfoot to write a song about me. A great tribute that has kept their story alive and part of our memory for 33 years.

[PoniesRock101]

awww.......... thats really sad. thanks for the video, now that i think aabout it i have heard about that.

[Remali]

Isn't Gordon Lightfoot awesome, I love his songs! That song makes me cry every time I listen to it.

This was interesting and had some more info....

http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=114

[Arrow]

I've always loved this song--it's amazing!!!

[Gypsy Rose]

I was only 11 when it happened, but I remember it really well, because my dad had been in the Navy right out of high school. Of course, the ship going down was of great interest to anyone who had been in the Navy. When Gordon Lightfoot's song came out, he used to listen to it with me, and explained what all the things in the song meant.

[Remali]

Hard to imagine what it must have been like for those men on the ship....must have been horrid.

That would be interesting to hear what your Dad said about the meanings in the song!

[rocknK]

I saw Gordon Lightfoot in about 1978/79 at the SF Opera House, just him & his guitar. Sat in the 4th row. Wonderful music.

[Remali]

I bet that was a great show rocknK! I would love to see him play some day.

[Ryderd65]

What happened to Gordon Lightfoot anyway? Seems like he just disappeared one day. All of my GL CD's have grown feet over the years.....:doh:

[rocknK]

Sure you don't mean 8 tracks???????:p

[Ryderd65]

Positive- 8 tracks were before my time :)

[Gypsy Rose]

Record albums!:D Don't laugh- I've got "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on a 45 rpm, and I have the "Sundown" album!

[WashingtonBoy]

That's one of my favorite songs. Amazon.com: Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald (LP Version): MP3 Downloads: Gordon Lightfoot

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.I was with my parents in the Michigan UP a number of years ago, and wanted to go to the museum at Whitefish Point, but it didn't work out.

[Remali]

I noticed on his website that Gordon Lightfoot is still out there touring.....