After the Edmund Fitzgerald sank, Arthur M Anderson, Coast Guard Radio Transmissions!

[@michaelcanney7218]

I realize that the Anderson felt obligated to go back out. But man the coast guard really put them in a difficult position.

[@danbasta3677]

Sure was! And Captain Donald Erickson, ships master of the William Clay Ford was somewhat reluctant, however felt that someone has to go back out in dangerous waters and join in the search as well as rescue maneuvers. So he gave the order to pull the ships anchor and go out there. Here again, even the most bravest of these ships Captains were fearful of what and how the weather itself can bring even these mighty ore ships down to destruction just as it did to the Big Fitz.

[@stevenvarga4157]

Copy

[@WesFanMan]

Coast Guard vacated their duty.

[@RAV1953]

@@WesFanMan Nothing was available. Sad but true.

[@lgempet2869]

Yes, exactly my thoughts! The coast guard was caught totally unprepared & was now asking a captain to take his vessel and crew, who had barely made it out of the storm alive themselves to go back into the storm to do the coast guard’s dirty work. What a request considering the CG wasn’t putting themselves in harm’s way. What if, in the process, the Anderson had sunk too? Then what? Unbelievable!😡

[@Bald_Cat2007]

I was watching a video of Don Erickson (the captain of the William Clay Ford) and he said that he told the Anderson he was heading out there and captain Cooper said "Don, if you go out there, I'll go out there" that's a true brotherhood right there

[@johntabler349]

To me this is the most amazing part of the story the heroic nature of ordinary men risking it all for their fellow tradesmen.

[@mortalclown3812]

They admitted it was the last thing they wanted to do. I'm certain I would have failed that test.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Anderson's skipper might have radioed to Mcsorely warning about the rogue waves headed that way. Maybe there was a twinge of regret.

[@easygoing2479]

This is chilling. It's like listening to the radio transmissions of the Challenger and Columbia disasters.

[@1978garfield]

"Challenger go with throttle up" You pictured the footage in your mind when you read that, didn't you?

[@ghost-ez2zn]

That beautiful blue sky when it happened. I was teaching in Miami. Stunned barely covers how we all felt.

[@aceckrot]

@@1978garfield , "Roger, go with throttle up."

[@philliphampton5183]

Agreed. Another couple extremely chilling radio transmission videos you can listen to on youtube are the one of the FDNY Manhattan dispatch with all the units responding to the WTC on 9/11, and one of a recon team (MACV-SOG) in SE Asia declaring they're being overrun by NVA forces, and coordinating with the helicopters for support/ retrieval in the late 60's.

[@randomentertainment8927]

@@aceckrot then..... boom

[@shellylupton9889]

Bernie trying so hard to find the Fitz... He just cant believe the Fitzgerald disappeared... God speed for helping out boys the best you could. 🙏❤

[@gridtwodriver6769]

It was so bad the coast guard couldn't go out but they ask a civilian ship to do there job for them. The ship captain was almost to safety then he went back into the storm. That is bravery.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Think about it carefully. If you are on the Titanic do you want the coast guard to get a vessel out that will reach you after you are dead for a day? Or do you want the nearest vessel to respond? You only have minutes before hypothermia kills you. It is the law of maritime life. Storms and ice fields happen. Nearest aid responds if they can avoid being victims as well.

[@ronbabalaqua7636]

It's 46 years ago today the mighty Fitz went down. Lived in the U.P. of Michigan my whole life and was 9 when she went down. RIP all on board.

[@nickjenaway3099]

Ron used to live in Christmas MI. My family goes to college in the UP was working in Detroit when on my lunch break when the Fitz went down seen it on the Detroit River many times going to Ohio Being a young tradesman Just could not believe it talked to people who said it was unsinkable HELLO titanic. Still tears when I go to that area.I 😢 ........

[@nickjenaway3099]

Ron how are u doing got another notification about the Fitz from you must be a old text. Text me nick from Christmas MI I am so over Florida and scared about storms down here but they are building a steel factory in Frost proof Florida need info about the UP was there 3 years ago things change so fast if u want to chat I am an older dude and was 20 or so when the Fitz went down. Get back to me. ☆☆☆.

[@brettfavreify]

I was 9 as well. Born and raised in Soo, Ont. The next day, Nov. 11, is Remembrance Day in Canada. It was strange going to the arena for a wreath-laying ceremony with phone lines and trees knocked down the city and a search for a missing ship going on.

[@72floyd]

IAs a Navy vet, if these were naval vessels those guys that went back out would get a metric ton of medals.

[@danbasta3677]

Ship masters, Captain Bernie Jesse Cooper and Captain Donald Erickson, the Arther Anderson and the William Clay Ford vessels they were in command of. Yes, they both do deserve a great deal of extensive credit for their bravery going back out in a treacherous storm that may still even take one or both of their massive vessels down to the bottom of the lake itself, YET, they STILL went out there! That says a heck of a awful lot for both these ship's masters and their crews.

[@BULL.173]

The USCG putting the Anderson's master in that situation was downright shitty. The USCG guy is covering ass by repeating that he isn't ordering the Anderson back into the storm. But he's also telling Cooper that he's the only salvation for potential survivors in the water. That's completely passing the buck to Cooper who was probably thinking: "This storm just ate the Edmund Fitzgerald alive. How much trouble will it have polishing off the Anderson if I go back out there?" So Cooper had two choices. Put himself and crew in an unacceptably dangerous situation or he can live life as the captain who refused to go back and look for The Fitz's survivors. If he puts his vessel first, as any master should, he'll be branded for life.

[@jeffreymiller9808]

100% True no Coast Guard Cutters from U.S. or Canada available that Afternoon or Evening...

[@DiegoV.h2d]

There was nothing unusual about the USCG's request or the Anderson captain's response; both of them were merely making reference to the international maritime law that requires the master of the nearest vessel to provide assistance to a distress call unless doing so would hazard his/her own ship. Failure to comply could have resulted in a two year prison sentence for the Anderson's captain. The USCG dispatcher is sitting in a dry building far away in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, and can't know how much of a danger it would be for the Anderson to respond, that is left up to the judgment of the Anderson's captain. The USCG didn't have anyone close by, so they made a correctly-worded request to the Anderson. The Anderson's captain made a correctly-worded reply. Even so, it was incredibly brave of him to go out again - he easily could have cited the danger to his own ship and simply declined. In the U.S., the law is Title 46, Sec. 2304, as follows: (a) (1) A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master’s or individual’s vessel or individuals on board. (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a vessel of war or a vessel owned by the United States Government appropriated only to a public service. (b) A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

[@tuxedotservo]

I'm glad the William Clay Ford got its due here. She was the smallest of the carriers that did the search. No one would've blinked an eye if her master had chosen not to go out there into a storm that had taken a larger carrier. It was a bit of sullen news when I learned that the Ford had been scraped a while back... but the Anderson is still out there, doing her thing. The Anderson will be 70 years old next season - that's an incredible lifespan.

[@jmt8706official]

I really hope when it is time for the Anderson to be decommisioned, they turn it into a Museum like they did for the Valley Camp. It would be a huge dishonor to scrap it.

[@Bald_Cat2007]

Nah. The William Clay Ford was the last of the AAA Class freighters. Same class as the Anderson. In the winter of 1974/75 all the ships of the class (except the J.L.Mauthe) were lengthened to 767 feet. All the ships were originally 647 feet. They were lengthened by 120 feet. So Anderson and Ford were the same size

[@tuxedotservo]

@John Lewis the Ford was lengthened in 1979: detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/exhibitions/signature-exhibitions/william-clay-ford-pilot-house I'd never use them as a first source, but Wiki also agrees with the 1979 date: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_William_Clay_Ford

[@Bald_Cat2007]

@@tuxedotservo oh well thank you for the correction. My mistake

[@novinnovations4026]

Much respect to the William Clay Ford and her crew/captain. They went above and beyond in the face of danger, and they don't get enough recognition imo. Ashamed it was scrapped, it was a good-looking ship.

[@Matttrainz07]

the william clay ford still sails it's been renamed to lee a tragurtha i think you got it confused with another william clay ford that was built before this william clay ford

[@flargmuffin92]

@@Matttrainz07 The William Clay Ford that was involved in the Fitzgerald search has indeed been scrapped. The Lee A Tregurtha at that time was sailing as the Walter A Sterling.

[@anthonywinebarger]

@@flargmuffin92At least we still have the pilot house of the Clay Ford

[@richardwarren1718]

Knowing that the Anderson was "near-by" had to be somewhat of a comforting factor for the boys on the Fitz. At least they knew they weren't alone in the malstrom. Just the same, as a line from another Gordon Lightfoot song goes, "when you reach the part, where the heartaches comes, the hero would be me, but heroes often fail." To all of you seamen out there this fall, thanks for your service and keep safety first in mind.

[@nbmooselovers]

I was thinking about the "Perfect Storm" movie this morning. Decided to look up a few "Long Liner" fishing videos. Found a few and bookmarked them. Then saw a few about the Edmond Fitzgerald. I live in New Brunswick Canada, and was born in 1958 the year she was launched. I still remember seeing the news on the TV when she went down. And of course that great tune by our own Gordon Lightfoot who is now 84 and still going strong! I had seen documentary's on it through the years. But just taking a trip down memory lane. The other song you referred to I know very well also. And as you probably know the movie associated with it. Another of my favorite Films. I am 64 and worked on a commercial poultry farm for 40 years. Can't imagine working surrounded by nothing but green water waves, and untold depths. Risking your life every day to support your family and loved ones. I realize storms usually give you warning. But not always.

[@allengrier4767]

The Anderson went right over the top of the Frizgerald during thier search but had no way of knowing it.

[@THEGODROD]

“Do you realize the conditions out there?” I still get chills when I hear that.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

If conditions were so bad what were they doing out?

[@THEGODROD]

@@jeffmilroy9345 I’m confused by your question. It’s not uncommon, especially in those days. Most shipping companies at the time want to make as many runs before the lakes become impassable in the winter. Though around the end of season that’s when the bad weather hits. Typically around November. If you need more info on the sinking itself, I’d highly recommend the maritime horrors video on the sinking.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

@@THEGODROD I guess I am biased having had to crew on a 41 foot CG rescue boat in 21 foot seas running at top throttle. It is not pleasant crashing down into a wave trough of that magnitude repeatedly. I suggest reading Ten Hours Until Dawn if you want a true story account of the blizzard of 78 and some of the things money crazed heavy weather skippers like Mcsorely put responders through when the witch catches them out in the soup when they should be laid up for hull repair. .

[@redbaron474]

Unless you were alive back then and experienced even the fringes of this storm, there's no way you can really understand just how terrible it was. Even on shore, it was scary as hell - with the gusts literally shaking the house to the point where I thought it was going to collapse! And as scary as THAT was, what was worse was when all the ship horns/whistles - then the siren at the firehouse - started sounding! :O

[@Jay-vr9ir]

I recall this storm ,The Welland Canal in Port Colborne flooded up to the street level, also our basement flooded in our home in Port Colborne , oh what a mess .

[@jameswillis1742]

And here in mich, this past nov 10th the weather during the day the temp was in the mid 70s, at night a strong storm system swept through just like the night the fitz went down...I do remember the announcement about the Fitzgerald sinking on the radio, I was 7

[@danbasta3677]

@@jameswillis1742 Yes, she started out on a beautiful unusually warm day, and as the hours passed, two volatile air masses were passing over lake Superior that took this great ship, its crew and ships master down to their destination, forever never to be seen again. Very sad, very unfortunate. A little to late though, as after this tragic occurrence and event, the shipping industry had changed the rules of shipping, especially when these lakes go from extremely mild in one minute to extremely violent, aggressive and dangerous the next minute. All these guys who sail across these waters need to be shown deep respect for all that they do and undergo while doing their jobs on the great lakes, because, from one minute to the other, you don't know for sure you'll see the very next hour as well as the very next day.

[@ajjackson1526]

Another nasty storm tonight. Sitting 100 feet from the shore in my car now watching 7-foot waves. Supposed to be 11 foot by tomorrow afternoon

[@danbasta3677]

@@jameswillis1742 Yes, a very tragic time, now 46 years past. Here in Western Pennsylvania 2021, the 10th of November it was a perfectly clear blue sky outside with tempretures up to 60 to 64 degrees. Yesterday now was up to 68 or 69 and that was the 11 day of November. Now we are in the new day of Friday morning, the tempretures are in the 40's as rain and gusty winds along with a cold front has passed through the area, tommorrow, colder still with the prediction of snow in the forecast. So, with all of that and much more in mind, this draws a picture of what the Big Fitz, it's ships master Captain McSorley and his crew of 29 men were going through many years ago on that lake, Lake Superior that tragic night when those two volatile air masses descended upon the lake that took the Big Fitz and her crew down to the bottom of the itself, broken, totally and completely destroyed/damaged with no survivors or even a mayday call for help when she went down. So sad of this tragic ending of a good ship and crew and as was written a very good ship's master Captain Earnest McSorley who was well seasoned, yet that storm, delt him and his crew a raw hand.

[@hypercane5652]

It was good that the Arthur M anderson called for help. Long Live the Arthur M. Anderson!

[@stevenvarga4157]

Hop used to see AMA come through Cleveland I still cant believe

[@cathyspaeth317]

God 'a wrath at the witch of November her name is heather Manson barrett she is the witch of November

[@stevenvarga4157]

Still sails through Cleveland

[@jpjones5880]

Yup, otherwise it might've been too late.

[@ilmsff7]

She's still sailing the great lakes. I hope she sails forever!

[@byronharano2391]

Thank you for posting this.

[@ExploringAmerica]

You're welcome. A friend of mine had a good friend that was on the Anderson that evening. I'll share the link with you from my old KZbin channel.

[@ExploringAmerica]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ_Si5-QipeAp9Usi=X3dI2A8SA4Ac0pUJ

[@beenaplumber8379]

Man, you gotta hand it to the masters and crews of the Anderson and Ford. One huge iron boat sank in those conditions, so two more knowingly go back into those deadly conditions, knowing they are no safer. You can hear it in Cooper's voice. When he realizes the situation and how few resources they had, he never looked back. He just went. I wonder if he or the Ford put ashore non-essential personnel first?

[@ExploringAmerica]

No they did not send crew or esentials on shore before going back out. My buddy has a late friend who was on the Anderson on that evening. Another little know fact. There was a US coast guardsmen onboard the Anderson during this trip. He was in training.

[@beenaplumber8379]

@@ExploringAmerica I didn't think the Anderson would have had time to dock before being asked to go right back out. Since there must have been non-essential personnel aboard (like the cook), it's all the more wonderful that both vessels made it home safely. As for the trainee - Welcome to "As Bad As It Gets!" What a trial by fire. Maybe after that night he was pretty hard to scare. "You call this rough seas? I was on the Arthur Anderson that night! This ain't nothin!"

[@somewhereinthecity]

The word "hero" gets thrown around a lot. Cooper and his crew are true heroes. The Anderson took a tremendous beating when she went back out, and the crew went without sleep or rest for over 48 hours.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

The roger blough turned around the next morning because her crew was on shore

[@railxxx5787]

That brotherhood strong, no man would of want to abandon fellow seamates. My granfather sailed for Reiss Steamship Co. 1925-65. They would do anythimg they could to help rescue them.

[@sabretom7594]

One ship on the bottom and the Coast Guard trying hard to make it two.

[@davegiannotti758]

Was Living North of Lake Superior when this took place,Ill never forget that night or the storm.What is so Ironic 7-10,days ago we just had a Storm here in Manitoba Canada that equaled the velocity and conditions of 1974.(officially 79 knots at our location freezing rain ice pellets) I told my oldest boy this is just like the night the Fitzgerald went down on Superior.Some things just stick in your mind,I was 33 years old then,seems like yesterday.

[@jeffreymiller9808]

GodSpeed Jessie Bernie Cooper, you were a Saving Grace on a Horrific Night on Lake Superior that will never be forgotten ✝

[@TYoungPhDRRT]

I'm a native Michigander and know the power of the Great Lakes--thank the Great Manitou I'm finally back home after years of living in other states!! I've lived in other parts of the country and people DO NOT understand the Great Lakes' capabilities. People outside the Great Lakes region hear the term "lake" and think of a smaller body of water...what they can't seem to comprehend is the vastness of the Great Lakes to the point they actually create the weather. A few years back, we were at the Soo locks and the Arthur M. Anderson came through---I didn't realize then that the Anderson was THE ship trailing the Big Fitz that fateful night. What an honor to see it go through the locks that day! RIP to the men of the Fitz and all that have perished on the magnificent Great Lakes.

[@larrysproul9424]

We live in the tip of the mitt . I remember the wind howling that night . Then it came on the late news that the Fitz may be missing . RIP crew .

[@scottknickman1520]

I no her power

[@SirHeadly84]

I live in Erie, Pa. I see people asking all the time "how big of a boat do i need?" Well.. i usually just tell them to get what they can afford. Because as you can see.. the Great Lakes will decide if your ship/boat is big enough. That being said, the crew of the Anderson were absolute Gids among men that day, turning around and heading back to look for their friends. They had to have known what happened as a ship that size doesnt just disappear. And yet.. they went anyway evwn though they knew they could be joining them on the bottom. Im sure they were scared as hell. But since the Coasties didn't want to do anything.. they went.

[@ExploringAmerica]

Yeah. Here is a link to my old youtube channel. My Friend Jim has a late friend that sailed on the Anderson for many years. Including that night the Fitz went down. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ_Si5-QipeAp9U

[@Robert-mq5jx]

Do you really believe a coast guard cutter would have made it? Too windy to take a chopper up?

[@mroblivious3647]

Such incredible repect for these men and women that work in these industries, and live up there. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@eastender416]

It’s like listening to it happen in real time. RIP to all who perished that night.🙏

[@MsAlebaster]

I never got to meet my uncle. My parents would tell me how my uncle Gordon Maclellan went down on the Edmund Fitzgerald. I now live in Sault Sainte Marie and I visit the Locks I remember story’s. How people would flock to see the Fitz. How music was always playing on the over head speakers when she pulled through. I often wish I could have seen it for myself.

[@nancyadcock4899]

The Coast Guard was totally unprepared for this, everything they had at the time was either down for repairs or too far away…pitiful

[@WesFanMan]

They vacated their duty.

[@gator83261]

The only thing the Coast Guard did wrong was to ask for other boats/crews to go out in those conditions and search. Nobody should have been out or gone out in those conditions.

[@shawlewis6492]

The crews and captains of the Anderson and Ford are true heroes.

[@lawrencemillerfcrr4486]

You q😮😮😮 wwwq

[@TillerG7]

This is bone chilling. You can hear in the captains voices both their concern for The Fitz and their own vessels. The fact that they lifted anchor and went back out in it for a search and put their lives back in danger should be held to the highest of praise and regards.

[@josephnewburgh8531]

I see the Anderson occasionally in Duluth or Superior harbor driving through and when I see it I immediately recall this terrible event!!!

[@dansweet6793]

The legend of the Fitzgerald and Anderson has been with me since I first heard the story at age 5, since then I have been into the great lakes, the story was told to me by my hairdresser my parents have known for years and she grew up with Bruce Hudson who went down on the Fitzgerald. Superior thought it could sink any ship that night, the Anderson and the Ford said " Hold my beer "

[@Project_Prescott]

anyone else convinced that the two ships on the badge of the Coast Guard Sector Sault St Marie is the Arthur M Anderson and the William Clay Ford

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

They were torn between going out at great risk to themselves and their crews or staying put. They were truly brave men who deserve eternal respect.

[@davidmoser3535]

It comes down to 1 ship has sunk, do you want to sink a second ship, at great loss of life? Then you have lost 2 ships, Aganyzing choices.

[@matthewmosier8439]

The danger present in simply "coming about" to go back and look for them would chill you. It is no small matter to expose either port or starboard sides to the waves and reverse direction in a storm such as that one.

[@Kendallian132]

A few years ago I met a gentleman up in N. Rustico, Prince Edward Island, Canada named Edward Ayers. He worked for Algoma Central for many years and, prior to that, worked the Lakes. He was on the Arthur Anderson the night the Edmund Fitzgerald sank and said that he was amazed that THEY made it in safely.

[@ExploringAmerica]

He knew Ronnie Roman then. He was onboard in the Anderson in engine room that night.

[@ExploringAmerica]

Here is a video that I had made for my old KZbin channel. Have you seen tjis one yet? Tugboat Jim had a goid Friend who was on the Abmnderson that night. Jim shares a story about that night that Ronnie shared with him. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ_Si5-QipeAp9U

[@Brecconable]

13:30 "You realise what the conditions are out there?"

[@larrysproul9424]

We live in the straits area . The heavy winds were really blowing on 11-10-75. We had big tree limbs all over our yard in the morning .

[@easygoing2479]

Coast Guard guy sounded like the travel agent for a guilt trip.

[@liammac5540]

@@easygoing2479 No kidding. He basically passed the buck onto the Captain of the Anderson. Had the Anderson refused to go the coast guard would then be able to claim that the had asked the Anderson to assist but they refused. Imagine the "Coast Guard" asking another ship to go into that very same position as the Fitz. If they had refused they would be considered as doing the same as the Californian did when the Titanic went down.

[@ilmsff7]

The ice in Cooper's voice just about froze the radio frequency. He had just gotten in from one of the worst storms of his life, grateful he's alive, now he realizes the Fitzgerald is missing and probably sunk. And the coast guard asks him to risk his life again? I'd be a little terse on the radio too!

[@Brecconable]

@@liammac5540 The Californian didn't know anything of Titanic until after meeting the Carpathia. Just saying.

[@lowellhawkins6051]

So chilling, if you know the whole story, even more so!

[@chad9899]

Rest in peace and never forgotten, 47 years ago today ..11-10-1975...,. And I'm 46 years old, and my father told me about it when I was 6... So I have always admired the Edmond Fitzgerald, . The biggest great lakes freighter at the time. And it's legacy,,19 Crewmen were from Ohio, which is where I been born and raised a buckeye!

[@dansweet6793]

Sounds like our stories are similar, I heard about this at age 5 because our family hairdresser grew up with Bruce Hudson I'm from northeast Ohio and it's been a huge interest of mine since.

[@josephforest7605]

I still remember , the great lakes freighter The Buckeye .I recall when I was around 10 years old , The Buckeye broke lose , while being towed for scrap during a storm and grounded on the beach in Lake Erie just outside of Port Colborne.

[@Daniel-vx3cf]

Edmund Fitzgerald you will never be forgotten

[@adventureguy4119]

Something about this ship makes me emotional, especially sense visiting the Great Lakes

[@rexfrommn3316]

We should remember the Edmund Fitzgerald went down like a stone. The Arthur Anderson was talking to the Fitzgerald giving it updates of its positions due to both of the Fitzgerald's radars inoperable. The Fitzgerald went down rapidly probably in less than a minute during a big wave over 30 feet or more. The Fitz was leaking water, probably from defective cargo hatches, with its pumps unable to keep up with the water coming into the hull. So the Fitz was listing, I think to portside if memory serves me correctly from other things I have heard about it. But the radar had the Fitzgerald on screen in one revolution and the next circular radar scan the Fitzgerald disappeared. The captain on the Arthur M. Anderson said essentially the captain of the Fitzgerald told him, he was "listing to port but holding his own" or words to this effect. This transmission was the last anyone heard of the Edmund Fitzgerald because just a few moments later the Fitzgerald was gone. Scary stuff indeed to think such a modern ship with all the modern technology with an experienced crew and captain could have disappeared so quickly. We must remember the brave men on this ship and their families. The danger of the sea does not go away because our technology and modern engineering seems puny against the fury of Nature during a storm on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard report says leaking hatches were a possible culprit. I generally subscribe to official reports because I was on active duty for 20 years and appreciate the expertise of the officers doing these reports. However, many experienced Great Lakes merchant sailors say the Fitzgerald bottomed out in shallow shoals. Others say the Fitzgerald had hull defects that needed serious engineering attention in a dry dock refit. It would be nice to get a definitive answer why this disaster happened as recently as 1975.

[@shawlewis6492]

I don't think it was defective cargo hatches. I think that she took a nose dive and a big wave came and slammed into the back of the Fitzgerald, causing her to split in half. But that's just what i think happened

[@cale_awsome6701]

We dont know how the Fitzgerald sank its still a mystery how it sank

[@bowslap]

I still subscribe to Capt. Cooper's assertion that the Fitzgerald either bottomed out or stress fractured over Six Fathom Shoal. Combined with the extraordinary seas they encountered, plus the recent revelations by former shipyard workers that her keel was compromised at her last inspection, hasty work performed with the understanding that more extensive work was required at the next lay-up....that the ship held together as long as it did before succumbing is a miracle.

[@danbasta3677]

THANK YOU. And very well written and said. You are quite correct in all that you had said and surmised about this tragic event.

[@12floz67]

@@bowslap Especially when it was found that the shoals expanded a mile more than the maps displayed. I think she definitely bottomed out.

[@indridcold8433]

One can really hear the desparation on the voices of the radio operators. This is tragic. The coast guard really pressured Captain Cooper and the Author M. Anderson to search for survivors. One can hear the fear in Captain Cooper's voice when asked to search.

[@notwhatitseems7409]

This is harrowing listening. The Skipper/CO of the Arthur M Anderson knew the conditions were atrocious. Damn hard call for anyone...

[@rickastley5944]

Just imagine while they are talking the crew of the edmund probably just hit the floor of the great lakes with the crew inside

[@AaronDanieltenni]

Scary and depressing to imagine, tbh

[@rickastley5944]

@@AaronDanieltenni right?

[@jacqepapara7898]

I would not have gone back out. The Anderson was out there in the same storm, and survived....heroes

[@georgehartin4555]

What ever happened to the Fitz was quick and catastrophic. There one minute, gone the next. It is a mysterious thing.

[@josephhelliwell9938]

I'm of the firm belief she was hit by a wave and the wheelhouse went under, and as this may have happened a couple of times previously, McSorley thought she would come back up, and she didn't. Bow hits the bottom, Fitz splits, and is gone.

[@edgrigsby8610]

Now believed that she was hit from behind by the "three sisters". Each wave bigger then the last. It's believed that she was picked up in the rear and driven straight to the bottom with the bow. The last sister ( 45'+) snapped the stern off and it was flipped over and sank within seconds

[@georgehartin4555]

Makes sense.

[@rockahollic7691]

Is it just me, or is anyone else starting to tear up

[@TexasRose50]

Not tearing up, but my heart is racing. It’s terrible to listen to this and pray for a different outcome. 🥲

[@danbasta3677]

You are entitled. Yes, it is a very tearful situation, emotional situation that causes a great deal of sadness and emotional breakdown. I'm with you on this.

[@imspartacusnoimspartacus4731]

It’s just you. Why would you he tearing up if you really were.

[@drumsjt]

Captain Cooper and his crew were very brave for going back out into those seas.

[@aceckrot]

Thank you for sharing this. With the anniversary of the Fitzgerald's sinking approaching, it's a poignant reminder of the perils that inland mariners face, and shows the unselfishness of these mariners to put their ships and their crews in harm's way. It didn't matter that each boat was operated by a different company, these men did what they could.

[@stephaneracicot791]

I get chills every time i listen to this chills right up my back the captains of the Anderson and ford must of had PTSD after this event bless them for going back out

[@gosiarhomecooking5123]

Hello . You have amazing channel . Great upload . Thank you for sharing . One more red button pushed! Thumbs up! I hope to see you again soon returning the friendship too. Have a great day:)

[@OttoByOgraffey]

10:12 time stamp. Coast guard asks Captain Cooper if he can turn his ship around, the Arthur M Anderson, and look for the Edmund Fitzgerald. Captain Cooper is hesitant, but goes anyway. Brave men on both the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Arthur M Anderson...

[@sylvesterstewart868]

Going back constituted an imminent threat to vessel and crew was under no obligation to do so.

[@Chasred-ml4hm]

That sinking feeling down in your gut leaves you with no options Capt. and crew of the Anderson knew that they had to, if the tables were turned they couldn't live with themselves had they not.

[@danbasta3677]

But they did anyway.

[@danbasta3677]

@@Chasred-ml4hm Thank You and very correct.

[@sylvesterstewart868]

@@danbasta3677 Still in service too.

[@twillison8824]

Never forget the mighty fitz

[@callmebig_e]

Edmund Fitzgerald could not radio for help because she sank by the bow where the bridge was

[@thefrase7884]

Really?

[@callmebig_e]

@@thefrase7884 yes would you like to know more

[@thearmoredgeorgian2736]

Not even that, it was said she went under in one big plunge and torpedoed into the lakes bottom and split.

[@ericsandrin8123]

@@thearmoredgeorgian2736 not to mention..when the bow went under it stayed under and the ship went down faster than a submarine..when the back end which was up in the air hit... dont forget its longer than the water was deep....the props still turning torpedoed it to the bottom in seconds...

[@saintsfan1258]

11:30 timestamp. The Coast Guard mention the Daniel J. Morrell. THAT was eerie.

[@audreyann1975]

While listening to this exchange I think about the men who were on these Ships and how the Anderson tried to help. I think about how brave men are. I'm sorry about this terrible accident. How brave these men were. Every last one of them.

[@tlars8569]

👍

[@kurtschreihart7424]

The Anderson is still an active ship to this day.

[@dennis3178]

The Coast Guard officer (Captain of the Port) speaking to Captain Cooper and others during these radio transmissions, is Captain Charles Millradt. Captain Millradt asks Captain Cooper if he can bring the Anderson about and head back out into the monster seas of Lake Superior to look for survivors.

[@gator83261]

Millradt was negligent asking anyone to go out in those conditions…

[@dennis3178]

@@gator83261 Wrong. He ASKED them. He did not order them. They did not have to go. There were no other Coast Guard vessels in the area at that time. Mariners help other mariners if they possibly can. The ones that went back out knew they would want someone out looking for them if they were in trouble. Everyone always points fingers these days. 🤦🏻‍♂️🙄

[@jerryfrederick6610]

Here is a thought. The Fitz is 729 feet long and rests in 529 feet of water. If she stood on end there would be 200 feet of her hull sticking out of the water.

[@josephwirtz7120]

That's what I have learned. Some old Coasters from Cleve told me the Fitz probably struck the bottom bow first.

[@halibut1249]

The photos of the wreck make it look smaller in a vast sea, like the Titanic in 3-mile water. The boat lost a good chunk of its midsection when it broke apart.

[@GigiFlies]

Hard to listen knowing the outcome. God's rest to Captain McSorley and the other precious twenty-eight souls.

[@allibani]

46 years ago today 25 foot waves I've seen 14 footers at whitefish point!

[@oldmountainmarineandmetals9736]

It gave me chills!

[@rorylynch.5674]

That was a gooð thing to do. Bearney. Good man

[@mortalclown3812]

Grew up in the deep south where weather like this was completely alien. Until a blizzard in Winnipeg, I never got close to it, but even then it didn't have that bone-chilling lake cold. Rest in peace to the 29 men. Godspeed.

[@TillerG7]

It gets wicked up here bud. I’ve lived in NE MN my whole life, right next to Lake Superior and she gets violent in the late Oct-Nov when the conditions call for it. I know down south has their share of bad weather too with hurricanes and tornadoes.

[@RobertValinsky]

In the late 1980s while on vacation in Canada I was in Sault Saint Marie Ont. and went on a tour boat thru the SOO locks.I remember the tour boat crew mentioning about the Edmund Fitzgerald and where it sank in lake superior. It so tragic that no one was able to get off of that ship.

[@dougyoungs2599]

Mother nature snap that ship in half as easy as we do a toothpick. Man doesn't hold a candle to mother nature. RIP crew of the FITZ.

[@ianross806]

Coast guard tug from the Soo didn't get out there until afternoon of the next day. Not that anyone could have done anything that night. Bernie Cooper, Don Erickson and their crews should've received medals for the risks they took that night.

[@napalmstickylikeglue]

What a dilemma. Risk his crew to potentially save his friend and his crew.....or keep his crew safe and write off his friend and his. I honestly don't know if I would have been able to unnecessarly risk my crews lives. My life fine.....but not the men under me. Toughest decision of his life definitely.

[@trooupnorthe8434]

So true. Interview w him later here: www.michiganradio.org/post/listen-radio-transmission-night-edmund-fitzgeralds-sinking

[@pudermcgavin4462]

I would think that he asked his crew and they prob said yes let's try to help they wouldnt care about their lives but of those whose were in trouble

[@napalmstickylikeglue]

@@pudermcgavin4462 doesn't work that way, but I understand where you're coming from.

[@Chasred-ml4hm]

They (Anderson) knew what was being asked of them. Sailor's sometimes will call in a favor from King Neptune for passage but it ant free...

[@Big_Sierra]

They weren’t friends. Cooper said in testimony that he never even met McSorely before. Which to me is even more heroic

[@adidas20zero]

Like other ships in the Great Lakes in massive storms, I truly believe it broke apart at the surface!!!

[@Kshep84]

I think that too... it's in 2 prices on the bottom, it must have broken on the surface.

[@adidas20zero]

@@Kshep84 Yes, the captain said his fence rails were down, possibly the ship was slowly cracking from the constant up and down in the waves!!

[@kimberlyodowd1003]

The fitz had been previously damaged in two mishaps the vessel should never have left dry dock to sail this last voyage. It did not help that she was way overloaded the poor vessel and crew were no match for that storm.

[@adidas20zero]

@@kimberlyodowd1003 So true!!!

[@danbasta3677]

Captain Bernie Jesse Cooper also was quoted as saying that Captain Earnest McSorley thought that ship was going to get him and his crew through all of this. And as history has shown, the storm of November 10th 1975, dealt Captain McSorley a raw hand.

[@Roc-Righteous]

RIP all aboard and the Fitz. :(

[@willy2776]

If you have been in a North Atlantic Storm, then you will know what they went through.

[@Big_Sierra]

Yep and freshwater seas can be even more violent, with ‘confused seas’ going in every direction with tight frequency, like a big washing machine. Not to mention fresh water has less buoyancy.

[@tmnitka6358]

When I was employed at Bayship Building in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, back in 2004,I was doing some updated repair work of the Anderson in the dry dock,that ship is huge, working underneath it in the dry dock while it sat on blocks,gave me the feeling of the spirits of the 29 men to whom lost their lives on the Edmund Fitzgerald, to this day, I still have this strange feelings at times, I don't work at the ship yards anymore do to the uncomfortable feelings, the Anderson gave me an uncomfortable jinx.....

[@dive4fr]

Also Capt. Erickson the Capt. of the William Clay Ford

[@danbasta3677]

Yes, very true. Captain Earikson was somewhat reluctant to take action, thought it out, gave the order to pull anchor and join in on the search and participate in rescue maneuvers. It is said though that while serving on these giant ore freighters, you stay your far distant and away from the ship's masters as the gravity of responsibly they have commanding their ships as well as keeping the ship and it's crew safe at all times. In this case, you simply obey what orders are given to you and mind your own business. Those guys have a lot of weight responsibility on their minds and shoulders.

[@1978garfield]

@@danbasta3677 Nowadays I suspect the ship owners would stop them from going out. "Your primary responsibility is to the stockholders! I wont allow you to risk their equipment. Let the Coast Guard deal with it, that's what they get paid for."

[@danbasta3677]

@@1978garfield I should say so. After the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy, these owners of the ore freighters have grown more cautious than ever before as they don't want to loose both a working vessel, and it's crew along with law suits from family members if the ship goes down in dangerous waters when they shouldn't even be out there in the first place.

[@michaelcanney7218]

They kept pushing and pushing the fritz, and she just got tired of it

[@billoddiea]

exactly

[@BigBadThor]

The Fitz was on the Fritz.

[@sEngineer-il8im]

A couple days ago when i was at grandhaven i saw the anderson

[@michaelmckinnon7314]

There was somebody talking over USCG during their transmission, I'm intellectually curious about who that was and what they said

[@nssrrailfan]

I feel like I'm connected with the Edmund Fitzgerald. It sank the day before was born, but years ago. I have seen the Anderson many times. But, I have never seen the powerful gales. (At least in my memory)

[@Neesie75]

I was six weeks old in Sault Ste. Marie MI. I have always had a fascination with it.

[@markhuotari3909]

Same

[@Boss429..]

A night and sea for true bravely.

[@MiBones]

Further info. The Fitz was 729 feet long. Lake Superior would have a depth of 530 feet with 35 foot waves in the area of the sinking. The two front cargo hatches were blown into the ship. The ship hatches were made to withstand the weight of ten feet of water. The three sisters were the equivalent of at least three times the design weight that the cargo hatches could withstand. Combine this information with everything else and you can see how the Fitz died.

[@TillerG7]

How did you hear about the hatch covers blowing off outta curiosity? I’ve kind of been in the camp of she bottomed out after being hit by the same rogue wave that Capt Cooper of the Anderson was hit with before. And due to the size of the wave, she bottomed out causing a stress fracture, especially with Capt McSorely reporting he had a fence rail down.

[@MiBones]

@@TillerG7 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald The hatch covers were inside the cargo hold. This means that there was enough pressure, from the waves, to push the hatch covers into the ship. Reading wikipedia will give you all the theories. I believe it was a documentary on one of the dives that talked about the discovery of the hatch covers and their positions. The proof is in the video footage but I cannot remember what documentary I saw it in.

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

May our Lord God grant everlasting life. 🙏 We shall not forget. 🇺🇸🌷

[@leoygeal6175]

MY DAD WAS WORKING FOR MICHIGAN LIMESTONE (CEDARVILLE OPERATION) AT THAT TIME.

[@ExploringAmerica]

That's very interesting! What a shocking moment in time!

[@jj3449]

When that boat came about and went to look for the Fitzgerald it must have had five foot less free board carrying the balls of those fine gentleman.

[@jerome2022]

When that storm occured I was 13 the news came on that it sank! Terrible storm...

[@coltongoff456]

Today is the 46th anniversary of the sinking of this ship

[@kelliebrooks9094]

40 knots is like 80mph winds thats crazy conditions

[@MarkS-bi9bl]

So, the Arthur Anderson was following initially, far enough behind so that the Edmund Fitzgerald slowed up to let her catch up... then the Arthur A is asked to 'turn back' and look for Fitz. Had they sailed right over the wreck?

[@Big_Sierra]

Certainly within a couple miles of it

[@jerryfrederick6610]

The Fitz left Minnesota 14 miles behind the Andersen but passed it and put 10 miles between them before it sank. So yea the Andersen sailed over the Fitz.

[@TillerG7]

The Anderson took shelter in a Michigan bay and was still behind the Fitz. If she could only make 3-4mph when the CG asked her to pull anchor and go back out, she wouldn’t have sailed over the Fitz for upwards of 5hrs.

[@TillerG7]

@@jerryfrederick6610also, the Fitz left Superior, WI. The Anderson left Two Harbors, MN.

[@richardbullwood5941]

It took a tragedy to change a lot of things. Not only was the Edmund Fitzgerald overloaded with its winter loading and sitting about 3 ft too low in the water, this was all still deemed to be safe at the time even though it exceeded the weight the ship was designed to carry. Weather forecasting and real-time radar was still in its infancy compared to the technology they have today. And because of the Edmund fitzgerald, things like survival suits and survival training became standard for future operations. Also, investigations into the Edmund fitzgerald, which was designed to be dry docked and receive some repairs, could very well have been not seaworthy when it took on one of its last loads of the season.

[@mr.schwartz2090]

@ 1:35: "I thought we were picking them up on radar when I came up to the wheel house and talked to the mate. Ahhh the signal was real bad but we thought we had the target, but uh I don't know.. now I wonder. The coast guard hit the A.M Anderson with a big ask that day.. wow sobering.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Many people do not realize that in the 80s and earlier (before cell phones) for large sections of each great lake's shore lines it was just a single coast guard watch-stander sitting in a shore-station radio shack monitoring traffic on 16 for long 4 hour watch duty. That was your only life line to help for those unfortunates foolish enough to go unprepared or unaided into a storm. A lonely monotonous duty for sure - until all hell broke loose. Then it was maybe a single 41 footer and a three man crew which could be dispatched into the teeth of storms that could whip up 21 foot seas in a simple summer squall. 35' seas and the Witch of November? Good luck, friend.

[@edstevens6839]

I listened to this at ironically 1910hrs, EST on 10Nov.,'21. That is exactly 46 years after the tragedy.

[@mottthehoople693]

the fact that there were ships still heading out into the storm is amazing....and bloody stupid

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

I never noticed they discussed if the Fitzgerald could’ve split apart like the Morrell did, they were half right

[@charlesgoodspeed3474]

Lt Commander Millradt was my skipper 1967=1968 Acacia

[@brettheary]

Ace of the Lakes!

[@brentrussell780]

Ive talked to guys who sailed on the Anderson. Shes a mighty tough old boat and they said its no why wonder Capt. Cooper trusted her to go back out again to search.

[@TillerG7]

Still sailing to this day as well. She’s a tank of a boat…imagine the stories she could tell.

[@EmersumBiggins]

Unbelievable that the USCG asked a loaded freighter to go out in that storm🙄

[@Jessy4207]

I mean they kind of had to cause when you think about it the USCG just wanted to save anyone on the Edmund Fitzgerald If there was anyone left and yea there wasn't anyone left but still there brave men

[@patrickhaag3352]

Are there any recorded radio communications available from Ernest McSorley Edmond Fitzgerald?

[@ExploringAmerica]

There was. But they were for some reason taken down. I remember listening to a video with them talking back and forth from the Fitz & the Anderson.

[@g.deb.7230]

They definitely put a hero’s effort in to go back out to look for survivors…. But, if you were in the position of treading water waiting to be rescued… you’d want someone to come looking for you too I’d bet…

[@BlackKnight-th8ml]

Is there a possibility after Arthur m Anderson returned to the scene in the way of searching hit a survivor case he was so near to the ship bow for instance or the crew couldn't notice survivors for the same reason?

[@kelliebrooks9094]

According to the weather experts the storm was at its strongest at 7 pm to 8 pm while they are talking the storm is peaking....an not letting up

[@oldcroneysgarage9739]

That was a big boat

[@tomcatyyz]

The Fitz was 729 feet long. Huge boat...

[@nssrrailfan]

I feel like I'm connected to them. The ship sank the day I was born, but years ago. So it feels like I am related with the crew. So we shall respect the crew.

[@greggorsag9787]

I bet there was some interesting conversation on the bridge of the Anderson after 14:26.