SS Edmund Fitzgerald, Lake freighter shipwreck in Lake Superior, United States
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a Great Lakes freighter that now rests in two sections on the bottom of Lake Superior. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 530 feet in frigid water near Whitefish Point and spans a considerable length.
The ship disappeared on November 10, 1975, during a severe storm while crossing Lake Superior, and all 29 crew members perished. This disaster became one of the deadliest maritime incidents in Great Lakes history.
The ship's name comes from Edmund Fitzgerald, a Cleveland industrialist and shipowner. Today the wreck serves as a solemn reminder of the lake's power and the risks faced by sailors.
The wreck cannot be directly visited since it lies deep underwater beyond normal diving depths. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point displays the recovered ship's bell and offers exhibits about the region's maritime heritage.
The ship was a powerful freight hauler that set multiple records for carrying taconite ore from Minnesota to steel mills. This success made its sudden loss particularly shocking to the shipping community.
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