A Tribute to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald

On the night of November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald vanished into Lake Superior taking 29 brave souls to their eternal resting places. The sister ship that was the last to have contact with "the Fitz" - the Arthur Anderson, piloted by Bernie Cooper - went back out in a futile research/recovery effort. Forty-five years later exactly - on November 10, 2020 - the Arthur Andersen came into the Duluth shipping canal and gave tribute to the Fitz with the "Master salute." Though snow was falling, wind was whipping, and the wind chill was ten degrees, about a dozen brave souls stood in tribute of the Fitz as the Andersen passed through. Upon the completion of the Master salute, one person played Gordon Lightfoot's memorial song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." This is posted as a tribute to the men on both ships.

[@kenny9021043]

The Arthur M. Anderson and it’s captain turned back into the maw on that fateful night to aid in the search. True sailors. Never leave a fellow sailor in peril at sea. It’s The most courageous ship on the Great Lakes.

[@americanaxetoolco2076]

Aye! ‘It’s true!

[@Bald_Cat2007]

Don't forget about her little sister, the ss william clay ford. She went out there with anderson also

[@kenny9021043]

@@Bald_Cat2007 correct! Just recently watched a documentary (that I haven’t seen 🤣) about the sinking and the William clayford also aided in the search. The Anderson and the Clayford. The chads of Lake Superior!

[@Bald_Cat2007]

@@kenny9021043 can you tell me the name of the documentary

[@CarolinaSpecial-No.1397]

@@Bald_Cat2007 Edmund Fitzgerald Documentary 1995

[@RandomTrinidadian]

Anderson: I still miss them. Rail Bridge: I know, i miss them too.

[@meikooceans]

I can see this and it hit me in the feels. Like hard

[@hockeyslade]

It's like Royalty coming into the harbor.

[@0448mickey]

Gordon Lightfoot summed it all up perfectly. What a great musician.

[@koentakinte2913]

The Arthur Anderson was not blowing her horn, she was howling for her lost sister and her crew.

[@toaster_on_fire]

the thing that makes this comment extremely cringey is the fact that the person who commented has a minion profile pic

[@Bald_Cat2007]

Yes she and the Fitzgerald are ever tied together as spiritual sisters

[@SolarKronosSBOSC]

@@Bald_Cat2007 oh hey john

[@Bald_Cat2007]

@@SolarKronosSBOSC hi

[@GABRIEL-du4uy]

@@Bald_Cat2007 Its true because: T H E I R S H A P E I S B A S I C A L L Y T H E S A M E

[@ShakespeareCafe]

The Fitz holds such an enduring interest that can't be explained. It's powerful.

[@andreworiez8920]

"Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm doth bond the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea."

[@Galaxy2517]

💓💓💓💓🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@josephkorfhage3679]

Amen

[@johnpearson3616]

🙏

[@shellylupton9889]

Nice song tribute at end ❣️. Ontario Canada here. 🇨🇦 God bless the 29 boys and men 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

[@kirk4086]

Your comment is "spot on" Thanks!

[@ShadrakJohn]

29 Bells

[@johnpearson3616]

Veey beautiful tribute but at the same time eerily haunting. We Michigan folk are so blessed to have you Canucks as neighbors. Much love for the tribute from Gordon Lightfoot. 🇺🇲🇨🇦

[@shellylupton9889]

@@johnpearson3616 together 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@u686st7]

The way the Captain "feathers" the first note gives the salute a very mournful sound.

[@BonnieDragonKat]

This broke me. I was seven when we lost them. Many of the crew were from my hometown. I will miss them forever.

[@TOTALCAMARO]

Thank you to all on the Anderson who didn’t hesitate to turn back to try and find them. Beautiful master salute and beautiful tribute. The Edmund Fitzgerald will never be forgotten. Sending prayers to all the family members left behind and may all the 29 crew members Rest In Peace. 😞❤️

[@dr.adam_bright2601]

When the song started playing it sent shivers through me.

[@flashy5150]

My hat is off to the memory of Cpt. Bernie Cooper and the crew on the Arthur Anderson, even though Bernie knew it was unsafe to go out again, he and his men, stood up like a true Captain and crew and braved the harsh, dangerous conditions of that cold, windy and rough November night. He knew it was too rough for smaller search vessels and he was their only hope, so he pointed his nose towards the gale and set sail. RIP Bernie Cooper,and a salute to his crew. At least you tried to find survivors.👏👏👏👏👏👍🚢🚢 🌊

[@paulbergen9114]

Several years after the song was released I was coming into Superior on a miserable gray day with wind driven rain. Suddenly you saw the ore docks and churning dirty water looming ahead when the song started playing. My heart raced and the sharpest chill went down my spine causing my whole body to shake and I barely had the energy to pull over.. Closest thing to being there a moment Ill never forget

[@katherinespencer2633]

I had a chance to see the Fitz while sitting on a bench on Belle Isle. We were at the northern end of the island, next to the lookout tower . The ship tooted it’s horn and, over the loud speaker said, “good morning, Ladies”! We were delightfully pleased and started waving 👋🏻. The voice from the ship said “goodbye “, then touted their horn… exciting!!! That happened around 1971-1973, summertime. Real early in the morning, and it’s a memory I hold dear to my heart. God bless them 🙏🏻

[@smwca123]

The captain was probably Peter Pulcer, 1966-1971, who was noted for that kind of commentary and for playing music, especially Handel's "Water Music". His successor Ernest McSorley was nowhere near that flamboyant.

[@johnpearson3616]

That awesome!

[@colleenross8752]

Thank you, Arthur Anderson, Guardian Angel of the Fitz

[@debbiemclaughlin3460]

That gave me chills. God rest the souls that were Captain and crew on the Big Fitz. She will live on in our hearts and history. And God bless the Arthur M. Anderson

[@rodlamont3736]

Just plain beautiful ❤️❤️. Brought tears to this old man's eyes.....WELL DONE SIR ❤️

[@barques95]

I was just a little 7-year old kid in Minneapolis in 1975 but I still remember the emotions that came over the Great Lakes states. Thanks for being there to bring us this tribute.

[@MarganaSkye]

I was also a little 7-year old kid in Pittsburgh in 1975 and I too remember how hard this hit people. To this day, the song instantly makes me well up with tears and I can't even speak. I've been fascinated with that tragic night and often think about the brave crew's last moments and praying they passed quickly. The Arthur M. Anderson's tributes are so haunting yet I watch them over and over.

[@t.sewell1513]

I was 5 living in Staples, MN and I remember my parents in shock when it hit the news. Very Sad.

[@lgempet2869]

Yes, I’m about your age & though I live in the Central part of the US, I remember too & it still affects me today- reflect on it quite often.

[@AaronDanieltenni]

Hearing the crew shouting and showing off the horn is just awesome. Hearing the song though. So chilling but memorable.

[@RAV1953]

Anybody else get chills/goosebumps watching this?

[@johnpearson3616]

I certainly as a Michigander. The Big Fitz was built at River Rouge in Detroit, so this tribute definitely hits a chord in this 31yr. old

[@donwilliams6170]

I was 12 in MI when The Fitz went down, sad times for all.

[@williamrogers7974]

Hard to believe almost, the Anderson still rollin' , just saw her pass Cleveland not too long ago

[@tmayer0009]

Thank you for this, whenever they retire the mighty Anderson, I hope they make her a museum

[@justinmix143]

The Anderson’s Capt. Cooper turned right back into the face of that worst storm seen on Superior in decades that fateful night in Nov. ‘75 to search for his friend Capt. McSorely and his crew. Anderson has the most courageous maritime legacy on the Great Lakes. Godspeed boys

[@waynerafferty1048]

What a powerful video. The thing I get by watching the Anderson going past ,the sides where very low in the water and that is in calm. I can't imagine what the Fitz went through in them Hugh waves. Thinking more did a hatch or 2 cave in and that what sent her down. I'm no expert and I live in northern Ireland. I share my name with the cook . And my thoughts and prayers go to the families and them brave men of the Edmond Fitzgerald.

[@Maestrohbill]

I’m sorry I had to cut it short. The wind chill was 10, and the ship was about 2 hours late. My hands were frost bitten and I had to keep the music packed away until the right time because the cold would shut it down. Thank you for responding here.

[@waynerafferty1048]

Don't apologize, you and the others who where there, waiting for the Anderson and watching it go past in weather similar to that night. Well done to remember them brave 29 souls. The horn sounding out for her sister to reply and hearing the silence is overwhelming but in many ways the spirit of the big Fitz is still out there. Thanks for your reply greetings from Bangor northern Ireland.

[@earlfullwiler3604]

I've done a ton of research on this and I don't believe it was a hatch cover problem. I would have to say that it was structure damage, especially since it had a fence rail down.

[@Matt-mo8sl]

The Fitzgerald was longer at 729' than the lake was deep where it sank. The skipper of the Arthur Anderson, the Big Fitz's sister ship, was under sail I think they said around 15 miles in trail of the Fitz, believed the Fitz did a "nose dive" as she was hit on her stern by 3 massive "sister" waves and she was pushed downward by the head and bottomed out and split in 2. As he said, that's a theory but certainly possible. She sank in 540' of water. A vessel sitting so low in the water and taking those waves so hard to bottom out is just incredible to imagine. What a moving tribute this video is.

[@michaelmelling9333]

Lake Superior's depth, according to Alexa, is 1,312 feet.

[@josephkorfhage3679]

Beautiful tribute to the Fitz and God bless the crew and their families they will never be forgotten

[@TNS17]

Thank you for posting this! Rest In Peace to the 29 crew members who died 45 years and 1 month ago today. Lake Superior does get angry. You don’t want to anger her! God bless.

[@unforgiven1217]

Very humbling and haunting video, growing up in the Great Lakes you always heard the story of the 29 men and the Fitzgerald. Rest well to those we have lost on the lakes.

[@Jessy4207]

Evertime I hear the horn from the ship I try not to cry

[@hoglundh]

Haunting.

[@boostcreep4749]

Thank You! from Port Huron Mi.

[@johnpearson3616]

Monroe, MI here. Also a port/freighter town.

[@johnpearson3616]

I've actually seen old Lake Erie get extremely vicious the six years since I've moved down here.

[@danmanthe9335]

Fitting tribute. Duluth is gorgeous on a cold snowy night, especially down by the water

[@Maestrohbill]

Yes it is. COLD. But yes it is.

[@jerryk2844]

Duluth is great! GOD BLESS ALL THAT PASSED THAT FATEFULL NIGHT ALONG WITH ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

Man hearing the horn slowly blow was amazing. Love hearing the song after the salute as well

[@RAV1953]

RIP to the crew of the Fitz. (And Captain Bernie Cooper of the Anderson)

[@Laroo69]

Dont forget the Ford went back out also! Both captains and crews will forever be the bravest

[@xxspottedhyenaxx8314]

Tonight is the 47th anniversary of the Fitz's loss. May she, and the 29 men still manning her rest in peace.

[@susanbelida6981]

Lord bless all the men and women that sail the Great Lakes. Prayers for eternal peace with the Lord for the crew of the Mighty Fitz.

[@andrewk2996]

Great to see this old warrior ship still working today.

[@heariam7557]

Brought tears...thank you

[@cooperautobot2165]

She calls out for her sister, knowing she will never find her....

[@rickyrickardo8347]

Big water scares the hell out of me, whether it be fresh water or salt water. It is so powerful that when it wants you it takes you.

[@SamhainBe]

Prayers for all those who go down to the sea in ships...

[@adventuresofthedoubleamput5295]

Got to see this ship crusing across lake s. last yr was a honor

[@gilliankingston8259]

Thank you for your tribute, there's something about both videos that gives you goosebumps/chills.🔔🌹

[@Maestrohbill]

Wow, thank you

[@rosemaryangela1825]

This was excellent! Ty

[@gary6888]

t Mmmm those sounds and feelings bring on the tears......... RIP 29........

[@rickastley5944]

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November turn gloomy With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed When the gales of November came early The ship was the pride of the American side Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most With a crew and good captain well seasoned Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms When they left fully loaded for Cleveland And later that night when the ship's bell rang Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'? The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound And a wave broke over the railing And every man knew, as the captain did too T'was the witch of November come stealin' The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait When the gales of November came slashin' When afternoon came it was freezin' rain In the face of a hurricane west wind When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin' "Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya" At seven PM, a main hatchway caved in, he said "Fellas, it's been good to know ya" The captain wired in he had water comin' in And the good ship and crew was in peril And later that night when his lights went outta sight Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours? The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her They might have split up or they might have capsized They may have broke deep and took water And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings In the rooms of her ice-water mansion Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams The islands and bays are for sportsmen And farther below Lake Ontario Takes in what Lake Erie can send her And the iron boats go as the mariners all know With the gales of November remembered In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed In the maritime sailors' cathedral The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee Superior, they said, never gives up her dead When the gales of November come early

[@wjb8855]

It's a strong bond that many special groups have wether it be military, public safety forces or a unique career such as a sailor, iron worker, etc.. there unselfish and immediate turn from job to rescue of a brother in peril (known or not) is a tribute to the true character of who they are. It is true that you can judge the true character of a man in how they treat others who can do nothing for them. Rest well and bask in the blessings of God.

[@jeremycox571]

So AWESOME what a tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald !

[@Starzpsychics1]

Just magnificent ty so much. I am from Mich 💕

[@johnpearson3616]

Same here💕 once a Michigander always a Michigander. We Wolverines stick together.

[@tannerjones9687]

This about brings you to tears 😭 🇺🇸

[@joeyank2451]

About?

[@tannerjones9687]

@@joeyank2451 About feeling the pride of the American Side

[@joeyank2451]

@@tannerjones9687 Understand sorry

[@kimmaxwell8975]

I dont exactly know why, but It still hits like a ton of bricks, God rest their souls

[@carriehunt9741]

A great ship calling for her lost sister! 😢

[@americanaxetoolco2076]

Still rough after all of these years! Aye ! The Fitz lives on, The Arthur M Anderson righteous!

[@eaglewolffox6275]

The Anderson's horn is sad and mournful

[@meikooceans]

It's like the Anderson is calling to see if the Fitzgerald will answer

[@nicksmith-rz2dl]

This gave me chills.

[@loriodell1507]

Someone through in the song. Im crying.

[@jaymalamute5730]

When the Witch of November comes stealing, Superior never gives up her dead. The 29 brave men shall rest peacefully in the Fitz.

[@WesFanMan]

I was 15 in Cleveland. Very sad.

[@dmmchugh3714]

Did they play the song from the bridge intercom, or did someone watching on shore do that? Incredibly moving....#respect

[@noahprice8968]

(Lets pray) Lord thank u for every thing that u do to brovent these fine and brave man that tried saving the fitz Lord plz let these 29 men and ship rest in peace (amen)

[@canadiantraveler6060]

RIP boys.

[@lynlewis8606]

I cried

[@ghost-ez2zn]

Me too@Lyn Lewis

[@12Georgia83]

🙏

[@madisonwhitley14]

Perfect song to end that video.😇😇😇❤❤❤

[@t.sewell1513]

👏

[@orionharmon6017]

1:33 Someone on the background do know when the captain is going to make a salute when the time is right, it sounds like the captain trying to get his horns louder from being frozen by blowing them with a warm up and so is the bridge operator. ❄📯📯🔉🔉🔊🔊🔊🔥🔥🔥

[@richardhiskett5422]

It's likely the air horns were initially muffled because they were packed with blowing snow that had to be dislodged. However if the air valves for the horns are manually controlled rather than being remotely operated by a solenoid controlled valve then it is possible to vary the volume somewhat.

[@orionharmon6017]

@@richardhiskett5422 Mmm 😳

[@pejutalittleelk1236]

Imagine if the Edmund Fitzgerald didn’t sink

[@M_A_R_I_N_E785]

She’d eventually be scrapped

[@davidborzi6259]

@@M_A_R_I_N_E785 The Arthur B. Homer, her sister ship, was scrapped after the Fitz went down, and for good reason. The method for construction was identical to that of the Fitz.

[@natashaspiner42]

The Anderson's salute is obvious... loud and deep sounding, but the second salute was that a train waiting at the bridge answering the salute with their own?

[@Maestrohbill]

No. The ship salutes the bridge as she arrives; the bridge salutes back (that’s what the air horn is - it’s on the bridge). The normal salute is one long and two short tones. This particular tone (3 long, 2 short) is called the master salute. The bridge horn IS (in fact) locomotive horns.

[@meikooceans]

Nope. That's actually the bridge horn.

[@flashy5150]

Does anyone know where Captain Bernie Cooper is buried, or was he cremated ?

[@frankreight5049]

We will never forget the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald or her crew of 29 men may they rip Author M. Anderdson her crew whent back out to see if they could save the S.S Edmund Fitzgerald but no one we will never forget the brave crews may they rip.☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

[@mroblivious3647]

😭❤

[@scp-049lover8]

I cant tell if the bridge speakers where playing the song or someone on the side of the canal, anyone know?

[@Maestrohbill]

That was me on the side.

[@pupe1662]

😢

[@bobbymanmcmaster6565]

Rip uncle

[@julieenslow5915]

The second master salute - was from another ship in harbor?

[@Maestrohbill]

The first master salute was the ship to the bridge. The second was the bridge returning the salute.

[@julieenslow5915]

@@Maestrohbill Thank you. And both remembering the Fitz and her crew. I remember when the song was first introduced and the DJ told us the song was a memorial to a real event. So touching.

[@jionni9505]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️✊️✊️✊️✊️

[@GhostOfBugsy]

I can't believe people live in weather like this. You have choices folks.

[@dianelindberg7649]

We are a hearty bunch here in MN, one gets used to it

[@johnpearson3616]

We Michigan folk live for the cold. Ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, you name it😊

[@johnpearson3616]

@Dave Porter yes but if we lived somewhere else we couldn't enjoy the Winter Sports that I previously mentioned. It's in our blood and part of who we are sir.

[@lgempet2869]

Some of us are cold weather folks & others aren’t…..I, for one, MUCH prefer the cold (just melt in the heat 😓), & enjoy the snow: snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc. & one certainly can’t do those things in warmer climates.

[@glen6945]

ace-----and a true st0rey

[@scottknickman1520]

I was 2 years old wen she want down

[@kirk4086]

You know what the horns are saying...don't you! 3 long, 2 short! Look it up if you don't...the dude in the red is playing the song... Plus it's a dam cold, snowly night just like in 75...

[@momrobare]

It's the Master's salute and signifies a salute to the Master/Captain of another vessel.

[@domangela5597]

Edmund Fitzgerald sunk

[@freightersonthegreatlakes995]

She’s trying to signal to her lost friend😢

[@allensharlow7763]

That was a Sad ending to a freighter ship , with a great crew, that was lost in Lake Superior, 29 men gone, but we will never forget them:R.I.P Men, your memory lives on👨‍🍳🚢⚓️🛟