Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Since the Great Lakes Tragedy

Sun Nov 30 2025 21:24:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest freighter on the Great Lakes, which tragically went down in 1975, taking all 29 crew members with it. The anniversary brings renewed remembrance and reflection on safety in maritime navigation.

As the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking approaches, families and historians remember the lives lost and the impact of the tragedy on maritime safety in the Great Lakes. Despite various theories about the cause of the wreck, no bodies have been recovered, and the site remains a protected grave. Events in memory of the crew will occur, with heightened public interest following the passing of folk singer Gordon Lightfoot, who immortalized the tragedy in song.

MARQUETTE, Mich. — The shores of Lake Superior are a poignant reminder of a tragedy that struck 50 years ago when the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald sank, claiming the lives of all 29 crew members onboard. This year’s anniversary has reignited interest in the event, notably after the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, whose 1976 ballad immortalized the Fitzgerald's final voyage. Launched in 1958, the Fitzgerald was a giant of its time, navigating the Great Lakes until its fateful journey on November 10, 1975.

Captain Ernest M. McSorley, a skilled navigator, faced fierce conditions on that fateful night. Despite sending a last report of holding their own against the storm, the ship was lost without a distress call. Today, the Fitzgerald rests at the bottom of Lake Superior, with the wreck site protected as a gravesite, preventing any unauthorized exploration.

Memorials across the Great Lakes this November 10 will honor the lost sailors, including a ceremony at the Great Lakes Historical Museum. In addition to commemorating the crew, discussions surrounding maritime safety improvements sparked by this tragedy have continued. As people gather to remember the Fitzgerald, they also reflect on the lives it touched and the changes it inspired in maritime protocols. Gomez-Felder, whose father was among those lost, emphasizes the need to keep the memories of her loved ones alive, stating, 'It took me a little while to recognize he’s not coming back.' The legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald lives on, a somber reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation.