The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Vocabulary Explore more words on Tim McCall's web site.
gale (noun) a very strong wind; 32-63 m.p.h. in meteorology (weather). This equals the force of a small tornado that blows off a chimney or uproots a tree.
flagship (noun) the lead ship in a fleet, or the largest ship in a group
well-seasoned (adjective) experienced, skilled
list (verb) to lean to one side
sailing blind is a metaphor for sailing without guidance. "Sailing blind" means not being able to see through the storm. It could also mean having no maps, GPS, radio communication, or any help.
"We are holding our own," said Captain McSorley. This means to go on despite difficulties.
teeth of the storm is a metaphor for the most violent part of the storm
capsized (verb) to overturn in water
squall (noun) a sudden violent gust of wind, especially one bringing rain, snow, or sleet
Other things to think about. . . .
1. Captain McSorley was a "hard water captain", meaning a fearless captain who would sail no matter how dangerous the conditions. Was Captain McSorley fearlessly brave or fearlessly reckless?
2. After researching, describe your theory of how the Fitzgerald sank to a friend. What do they think?
3. How would you feel if your dad was one of the sailors who went down on the Fitzgerald? This is called empathy, or feeling what the other person feels.
4. Which phrase or verse of Gordon Lightfoot's song captures your imagination?
5. Savage unpredictable waves are also known as rogue waves. They are also called killer waves, freak waves, and monster waves. They may occur in oceans or lakes. A phenomenon known as the "Three Sisters" is said to occur in Lake Superior when a series of three large waves forms. The second wave hits the ship's deck before the first wave clears. The third incoming wave adds to the two accumulated backwashes and suddenly overloads the ship deck with tons of water. The phenomenon was a possibility in the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in November 1975. (source: Wikipedia)
gale (noun) a very strong wind; 32-63 m.p.h. in meteorology (weather). This equals the force of a small tornado that blows off a chimney or uproots a tree.
flagship (noun) the lead ship in a fleet, or the largest ship in a group
well-seasoned (adjective) experienced, skilled
list (verb) to lean to one side
sailing blind is a metaphor for sailing without guidance. "Sailing blind" means not being able to see through the storm. It could also mean having no maps, GPS, radio communication, or any help.
"We are holding our own," said Captain McSorley. This means to go on despite difficulties.
teeth of the storm is a metaphor for the most violent part of the storm
capsized (verb) to overturn in water
squall (noun) a sudden violent gust of wind, especially one bringing rain, snow, or sleet
Other things to think about. . . .
1. Captain McSorley was a "hard water captain", meaning a fearless captain who would sail no matter how dangerous the conditions. Was Captain McSorley fearlessly brave or fearlessly reckless?
2. After researching, describe your theory of how the Fitzgerald sank to a friend. What do they think?
3. How would you feel if your dad was one of the sailors who went down on the Fitzgerald? This is called empathy, or feeling what the other person feels.
4. Which phrase or verse of Gordon Lightfoot's song captures your imagination?
5. Savage unpredictable waves are also known as rogue waves. They are also called killer waves, freak waves, and monster waves. They may occur in oceans or lakes. A phenomenon known as the "Three Sisters" is said to occur in Lake Superior when a series of three large waves forms. The second wave hits the ship's deck before the first wave clears. The third incoming wave adds to the two accumulated backwashes and suddenly overloads the ship deck with tons of water. The phenomenon was a possibility in the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in November 1975. (source: Wikipedia)
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FACTS about the Edmund Fitzgerald
This site was built by a fourteen-year-old boy named Tim McCall who said he was inspired by school.
When webmaster Tim McCall was in the eighth grade, students were assigned a project to cover different disasters in history. Tim created his own web site about the Fitzgerald. It is now the most-visited site about the Fitzgerald. Tim is now an adult, and continues to maintain his amazing site.
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FACTS about the Edmund Fitzgerald
This site was built by a fourteen-year-old boy named Tim McCall who said he was inspired by school.
When webmaster Tim McCall was in the eighth grade, students were assigned a project to cover different disasters in history. Tim created his own web site about the Fitzgerald. It is now the most-visited site about the Fitzgerald. Tim is now an adult, and continues to maintain his amazing site.
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VOTE How did the Edmund Fitzgerald sink?
What do you think caused the Edmund Fitzgerald to sink? Cast your vote here.
Then help Miss Peterson plan for next year by checking off all activities and resources that helped you understand this ballad.
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What do you think caused the Edmund Fitzgerald to sink? Cast your vote here.
Then help Miss Peterson plan for next year by checking off all activities and resources that helped you understand this ballad.
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This video has most of the footage from the video you saw in class. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald |
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Maiden Voyage of the Fitzgerald
The Fitzgerald is launched, or dropped into the water after being built. Maiden voyage means the first sailing trip. Filmed by Newman Larsen, the first captain of the Fitzgerald, (1959-1965). |
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Through the Eyes of Captain Cooper
Here is an interview with Captain Cooper of the Arthur M. Anderson. He retells what he saw the night that the Fitzgerald went down. When he says list, he means the ship was leaning to one side. Do you agree with Captain Cooper's theory of the sinking? |
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The Lost Fitzgerald Search Tapes
The conversations between Captain McSorley of the Fitzgerald, Captain Cooper of the Anderson, and the Coast Guard are here. Courtesy of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in White Fish Point, Wisconsin. More videos at the GLShipwreck Channel. |
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Rare Footage
Here is a video of the ship when she was hauling freight. |
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This is a news report from Ohio on the 35th anniversary of the sinking. 35th Anniversary |
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Listen to a high-quality recording of the song here. The Song |
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Gordon Lightfoot singing the entire ballad
Listen to Mr. Lightfoot sing the ballad in a concert here. |
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Gordon Lightfoot explains why he no longer sings "At 7:00 p.m. a main hatchway caved in". Why did Gordon Lightfoot change the lyrics recently? |
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The ballad is sung by another singer.
Here are many excellent pictures of the Fitzgerald and lake storms. The singer is NOT Gordon Lightfoot. |
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LIVE WEB CAM Check out these live web cams around the port in Duluth. What do you notice?
This site is maintained by the Lake Superior Marine Museum.
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LIVE SATELLITE - TRACK SHIPS around the world by satellite.
LIVE WEB CAM Check out these live web cams around the port in Duluth. What do you notice?
This site is maintained by the Lake Superior Marine Museum.
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LIVE SATELLITE - TRACK SHIPS around the world by satellite.
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FREE stuff to print out Print out a Duluth shipping calendar here.
This is another good site for information about shipping on the Great Lakes. This is the Duluth Seaway Port Authority site.
Scroll down to Port Authority WALL CALENDARS to print out a free color calendar.
FREE stuff to print out Print out a Duluth shipping calendar here.
This is another good site for information about shipping on the Great Lakes. This is the Duluth Seaway Port Authority site.
Scroll down to Port Authority WALL CALENDARS to print out a free color calendar.
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Split Rock Lighthouse
November 10 is the only day of the year that Split Rock shines its light for the Memorial Beacon Lighting.
Click on FOG HORN to play fog horn sounds.
Click on the HISTORY photo down below to research lighthouse technology and more shipwrecks.
Great pictures and history of Split Rock are here.
Source: Minnesota Historical Society
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Split Rock Lighthouse SHIPWRECKS
Split Rock Lighthouse was built to guide ships across the dangerous waters of Lake Superior.
More information about SHIPWRECKS on Lake Superior.
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Coast Guard's last communication about the Fitzgerald
The captain of the Arthur Anderson talks with the Coast Guard about what to do when Captain McSorley from the Fitzgerald doesn't answer.
Source: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
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Listen to radio transmission on the night the Edmund Fitzgerald was sinking.
Source: Michigan Public Radio
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MAP of the Fitzgerald's route across Lake Superior
Research by Cole Altavilla of Somerset Elementary
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WAVES on during the storm in time lapse
Scroll down to the colored map of Lake Superior.
Watch the time lapse of the waves that night. Purple represents the tallest waves.
Research by Cole Altavilla of Somerset Elementary
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Shipwrecks near Wisconsin on Lake Superior
Very good interactive site. This is an amazing site!
Source: University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Historical Society
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Whitefish Bay wrecks and Sunken Treasure VIDEO
Find Whitefish Bay for other ship disasters. Also open the Sunken Treasure video for great underwater video.
Source: Michigan Underwater Preserves
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NEW Shipwrecks being discovered!
A new shipwreck was discovered in 2016.
The ship was built in 1861, the year Abraham Lincoln became president.
It sank 119 years ago on October 7, 1897. Check it out! VIDEO
Lake Superior holds 400 shipwrecks. 30 are still missing.
Split Rock Lighthouse
November 10 is the only day of the year that Split Rock shines its light for the Memorial Beacon Lighting.
Click on FOG HORN to play fog horn sounds.
Click on the HISTORY photo down below to research lighthouse technology and more shipwrecks.
Great pictures and history of Split Rock are here.
Source: Minnesota Historical Society
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Split Rock Lighthouse SHIPWRECKS
Split Rock Lighthouse was built to guide ships across the dangerous waters of Lake Superior.
More information about SHIPWRECKS on Lake Superior.
_______________________________________________________
Coast Guard's last communication about the Fitzgerald
The captain of the Arthur Anderson talks with the Coast Guard about what to do when Captain McSorley from the Fitzgerald doesn't answer.
Source: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
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Listen to radio transmission on the night the Edmund Fitzgerald was sinking.
Source: Michigan Public Radio
_______________________________________________________
MAP of the Fitzgerald's route across Lake Superior
Research by Cole Altavilla of Somerset Elementary
_______________________________________________________
WAVES on during the storm in time lapse
Scroll down to the colored map of Lake Superior.
Watch the time lapse of the waves that night. Purple represents the tallest waves.
Research by Cole Altavilla of Somerset Elementary
_______________________________________________________
Shipwrecks near Wisconsin on Lake Superior
Very good interactive site. This is an amazing site!
Source: University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Historical Society
_______________________________________________________
Whitefish Bay wrecks and Sunken Treasure VIDEO
Find Whitefish Bay for other ship disasters. Also open the Sunken Treasure video for great underwater video.
Source: Michigan Underwater Preserves
_______________________________________________________
NEW Shipwrecks being discovered!
A new shipwreck was discovered in 2016.
The ship was built in 1861, the year Abraham Lincoln became president.
It sank 119 years ago on October 7, 1897. Check it out! VIDEO
Lake Superior holds 400 shipwrecks. 30 are still missing.
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November 10, 2015 is the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
READ the official theory from the National Transportation and Safety Board at the bottom of this article.
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BLUEPRINTS of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Investigate the blueprints for the Fitz.
MORE BLUEPRINTS of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
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PAPER MODEL KIT
Buy and assemble a cardboard model of the Edmund Fitzgerald
from Lake Freighter Minis Paper Models. You and your parents
will need to look under Authorized Dealers and contact one of
the places in Minnesota.
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How does the Fitzgerald compare in size to the Titanic?
The Titanic was on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was on Lake Superior.
The Titanic hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912 at 11:40 p.m.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was hit by a storm at 7:00 p.m.
On April 15, 1912, The TItanic sank at 2:20 a.m., 2 hours and 40 minutes later.
On November 10, 1975., The Edmund Fitzgerald sank quickly after 7:00 p.m. in less than 10 minutes.
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How does the Titanic compare to the Fitzgerald?
This is an interactive photo.
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The Bannockburn - Shipwreck or ghost ship?
The Bannockburn was another Lake Superior ship that disappeared in a storm. Some sailors say that in a storm they see the Bannockburn guiding them to safety. What do you think?
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November 10, 2015 is the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
READ the official theory from the National Transportation and Safety Board at the bottom of this article.
_______________________________________________________
BLUEPRINTS of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Investigate the blueprints for the Fitz.
MORE BLUEPRINTS of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
_______________________________________________________
PAPER MODEL KIT
Buy and assemble a cardboard model of the Edmund Fitzgerald
from Lake Freighter Minis Paper Models. You and your parents
will need to look under Authorized Dealers and contact one of
the places in Minnesota.
_______________________________________________________
How does the Fitzgerald compare in size to the Titanic?
The Titanic was on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was on Lake Superior.
The Titanic hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912 at 11:40 p.m.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was hit by a storm at 7:00 p.m.
On April 15, 1912, The TItanic sank at 2:20 a.m., 2 hours and 40 minutes later.
On November 10, 1975., The Edmund Fitzgerald sank quickly after 7:00 p.m. in less than 10 minutes.
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How does the Titanic compare to the Fitzgerald?
This is an interactive photo.
_______________________________________________________
The Bannockburn - Shipwreck or ghost ship?
The Bannockburn was another Lake Superior ship that disappeared in a storm. Some sailors say that in a storm they see the Bannockburn guiding them to safety. What do you think?
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