Lake Superior in November..
'Gitche Gumee'
Ever wonder why the Edmund Fitzgerald didn't make it..?
A little taste of the seafaring life on the Inland Seas .
These photographs were taken in November 2006
aboard Misener Steamships MV Selkirk Settler
as she crossed Lake Superior in typical November weather.
The first pic is in calm water..
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
11 comments:
Lake Superior is the largest & deepest of The Great Lakes and could hold all the water of the other 4 Great Lakes ..plus three more Lake Eries .!
Can I smoke your pole today, Orbs?
Wow. Amazing pictures.
Now the Edmund Fitzgerald song is stuck in my head. Now I have to go dig out the Gordon Lightfoot tapes.
tj...
I don't think Orbs would mind if you can stand on the deck of that ship and do it!!!
Homemomof2......
A little history of the Edmond Fitzgerald...
”Edmond Fitzgerald”
ser-Amazing pictures.Thank you for sharing!
"Inland Seas" is the right term for the Great Lakes. I've heard many times that they are just as treacherous as the oceans.
Anyone see that program on the History Channel where they raised the bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Gave me goosebumps.
Great pictures!
I saw the show. What's amazing, and very sad, is there was never any recovery of any remains - it's like they completely vanished.
Years ago I was working on a special project with the company historian at Northwestern Mutual.
Their archives hold files and files of info on the investigation of the sinking and whenever I had a break, I would read what I could - fascinating stuff!
As I recall there were two main conflicting theories depending on what your stake was in the ship:
1) the large hatch doors which led to storage of iron ore pellets were not completely secured and water from heavy waves built up in the storage compartments eventually swamping the boat.
2) she was hit by a huge wave and snapped in two between the crest and trough.
I don't think either theory has ever been completedly proven or disproven, do you know?
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald) mentions both theories, then states: "A documentary created and aired by the Discovery Channel investigated a large 'fold' found in the hull plating. Previous defects with cargo hold covers and clamps as well as cracking issues were also addressed. Through the use of wave tanks and computer simulation, the Discovery Channel team concluded the loss of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was due to a rogue wave. Reports show three large waves were detected, two of which were reported by the Edmund Fitzgerald. As per the investigation, it was theorized that the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was badly battered by the first two waves, further damaging the dual radar (which shared a common antenna) and the hatch covers. It was surmised ultimately that the SS Edmund Fitzgerald took on water through the damaged cargo hold covers and was then overwhelmed by the third wave."
I'm getting sea sick just looking at those pictures, WOW!
"Over 15,000 people attended the Fitzgerald's launch. The event was troublesome. When Mrs. Edmund Fitzgerald went to christen the boat by smashing a champagne bottle over the bow, it took her three swings to break the bottle."
There is a seafaring superstition that if the bottle doesn't break on the bow on the first swing, it is a bad omen for the ship and her crew.
Post a Comment