The SS Edmund Fitzgerald: When the Skies of November Turn Gloomy | The WHOLE tragic story

The story of one of the most mysterious shipwrecks in history and the largest ship ever lost on the Great Lakes.
Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - • Gordon Lightfoot - Wre...
A simulation of one of the theories of the Fitz sinking - • Sinking of the SS Edmu...
The Arthur M Anderson, still hard at it on the Great lakes - • TRRS 541: Arthur M And...
Special shout out to my legendary mate Quinn, a native of Cleveland, Ohio for requesting this topic. Jones boys for life, yo!
DiD Reads Channel - / @didreads
Patreon Page - www.patreon.co...
#history #historyfacts #historydocumentary #documentary #documentaryvideo #engineering #disaster #tragedy #ships #boats #shipwreck #shipwrecks #shipwrecked #storm #seamen #sea #greatlakes #greatlakeshistory #descentintodarkness

[@DiD86]

DISCLAIMER: The images used in this video are for illustrative purposes only. They are not meant to accurately depict every single point being made or explained but are the best representation of them, given my limited resources. Please keep this in mind before commenting.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

You did great, man! Thanks for the effort. Q: Was one person doing ALL of the voicework? If so, I'm impressed. The Canadian/Northern USA accents in the radio message part were very good!

[@jimrossi7708]

@@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid , I agree with you, he did a wonderful job on the Edmund Fitzgerald !!

[@sdix3770]

Not really. I and those that live on the shores of Lake Superior have never forgotten. We never will. We remember the wrecks on our shores and the lake. I scuba dive these waters, and have seen what Superior can do to ships. We remember.

[@elizabethphillips441]

"Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours"...still gets me.. RIP Gordon Lightfoot....gifted songwriter / singer

[@eileenhetherington3704]

My ex husband, a merchant marine, was the wheelsman on the Arthur M. Anderson a few years after this occurred. He knew most of the crew on the Fitzgerald. He lost many friends that night. We lived in Two Harbors, Minnesota, and the huge taconite-hauling boats would frequently depart from there. It is generally thought by the sailors who knew this boat that it was just a freakishly crazy storm. When the waves begin to move in cross - directions as they were that night, it can pull any boat apart. They were taking on water which made them more vulnerable.

[@leebee1100]

I’m an American-English speaker and I find your ability to imitate differing American accents along side your awesomely sophisticated English accent to be impressively accurate! You’re a great public speaker and/or reader in general. You certainly have a talent for composing engaging, intriguing, and historically accurate content too! Thank you for your hard work and time! Worth it! 👏

[@DiD86]

Thank you very much. I guess it comes from watching so many American shows and movies as a kid. 😅

[@brandonhurd6785]

I know the Fitzgerald's crew knew they were in danger, had sustained damage, and were activity fighting to mitigate those dangers. But when she sank i honestly don't think the crew knew what hit them, and she went down before they even realized what happened. May her crew rest in peace and eternal light 😔

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

This documentary made me cry for the crew for the first time. What a tragic loss.

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

Suddenly,,I have to think about a church hymn from my christian upbringing, called 'o heer verhoor toch onze bêe voor hen die zijn in nood op zee' (transl. O lord please come and and hear our prayer for those at sea in big despair'). Although my present philosophical views changed my past religious feelings bigtime, I think I will always be a little more reverent when I remember sailors challenging the forces of nature while delivering my ordered goods from faraway. UPDATE: I have marked the date of november 10th in my agenda for a yearly remembrance for all sailors at sea.

[@williamemerson1799]

Had it not been for Gordon Lightfoot this would have been just another tragic shipwreck. Good job.👍🍻

[@DiD86]

Very true. And a very sad thought that is.

[@dougr188]

As a native Michigander I can tell you Big Fitz was well known.

[@Not1Edit]

Nonsense. The reason Gordon Lightfoot wrote of Her is BECAUSE She was so exceptional. Nobody writes songs about any other freighter.

[@williamemerson1799]

@@Not1Edit wrote of her us? Not sure I understand. Anyway......The locals may have been familiar with the Fitz, but it was Lightfoot's song that brought it to the attention of the world. So there, I call your nonsense and raise a BS.🤣

[@Not1Edit]

@@williamemerson1799 TYPO!

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

I do remember hearing the relatively nearby vessel, Arthur Anderson, was rocked by a 25 foot wave that scared hell out of the crew. That wave, I believe, caught up to the Fitz, already taking on way too much water, and cracked the Fitz's frame. I was in high school when this happened, it was on the national news.

[@DiD86]

Yes, I seem to remember hearing that as well. A sad business, right enough.

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

@@insertnamehere313 Thank you for your fascinating comment. I can't imagine the terror of being caught out in that storm.

[@BType13X2]

That is one of the theories, another is she hit bottom by getting to close to a shoal, another is the crew didn't secure its hatch covers causing it to take on too much water. With no survivors and no comprehensive survey of the wreck we will never know. I choose to say that the storm sank her end of story, the captain wouldn't have tried to jog so far north by caribou island had the storm not been so horrific in the open lake. If the storm hadn't been so horrific washing the decks the non secured hatch covers wouldn't have mattered. And finally if the storm hadn't been so bad there wouldn't have been a rogue wave. So my take away is when the weather looks bad, hold off and wait. I have many times had appointments down south, and called those places saying I wasn't going to be there cause the weather was so bad, then rescheduled, I know its not so easy with shipping but getting there alive but late is more important, a 2 day delay and the Fitz is probably still sailing the lakes to this day.

[@zackjay71]

Yes Mcsorely thinks that rogue wave is what put dow the Fitz.

[@bjornsfather]

As someone from northern Wisconsin, thank you for making this. Means a lot to us still

[@DiD86]

My pleasure.

[@BellsofNevermore]

My decision to join the United States Navy was partly based on my father so beautifully explaining the meaning behind the song by Lightfoot. Bravo Zulu, guys, your watch is now relieved. Maybe you were civilian... but those that venture over water face the same dangers.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

storms zero dabge thresàt tyoe weather çonrled artofifly

[@housemana]

it's almost like 'civilian' is just a term used by those in power to try and project superiority to others, and we're all humans after all. imagine that :")

[@Catssandra13]

These historical videos are not only well made but also educational, your research is so thorough! I never heard this story about the wreck of this ship. What a tragedy. Gordon Lightfoot's song is so beautiful and haunting.

[@DiD86]

Thank you so so much for those kind words. It really does humble me to read them.

[@stynger007]

Lightfoot had a celtic tune to which he had no words. After this tragedy, he came up with words but not until after attending a service for the crewman to feel the families pain and gain emotion. He then went on to write the lyrics , and actually recorded the song in the dark as a tribute to the crewmen who were lost that evening. That said- it would be nice to not hear an AI voice as opposed to you reading. There is actual footage of the voices of the communications. Thanks for this but hearing an actual human would be good.

[@facubeitches1144]

When I was a kid, my grandparents lived in Detroit. We'd usually go there for Thanksgiving. I can still remember the Fitzgerald being the topic of conversation for several Thanksgivings in the 70s.

[@kirtreeves7777]

Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours. Superior they said never gives up her dead when the gales of November come early. Incredible lines to the Gordon Lightfoot song!

[@cseivard]

Brilliant work. Thank you very much! I am recovering from a stroke. ( I lived) nothing holds my focus like it does on KZbin. It beats therapy!

[@DiD86]

Well, here’s wishing you a speedy recovery! 👍🏻😇

[@ProHobbyjogger]

I was wondering if you had survived, but I kept reading and see that you did. Whew! Get well soon and don’t push yourself too hard. My dad did and I think it hurt his recovery.

[@cseivard]

@@ProHobbyjogger sorry to ruin it for you!

[@claudeduval2918]

Thank you so much for this. We take so much for granted that we have in this modern world. When crews put out to sea they may never know what that next trip might throw at them. I am very moved by the remembrance and homage you pay to the crew at the end and the previous captain. Kindness always

[@DiD86]

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.

[@paulhuggett7257]

This whole collection is brilliantly narrated, produced and illustrated. OK some of the subjects are almost too horrific to want to watch, but overall, superb work - I've become somewhat addicted!

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

Bless the crew. May they rest in Peace. Great ship. This was the first time I heard of finding the crewman. Glad they left him with the ship and crew.

[@stanlivengood9500]

And I don't understand how the life preserver didn't keep him afloat.

[@terrystevens5261]

@@stanlivengood9500 It probably did for a while, he would most likely have died from hypothermia. his body most likely sank later as even cork will become waterlogged after a time.

[@ripperace]

If he went down with the ship, the life preserver wouldn’t have done him any good as the intense pressure of being under 500 feet of water kept the sailor on the bottom.

[@Kimrbr549]

I have watched so many videos of this tragedy, but you taught me some new things! Thank you!

[@stevelang1795]

It's Easter Sunday, 2023... my wife and l decided to watch this documentary while we ate dinner. Very informative and interesting, great work in doing this documentary, my God bless the 29 souls that perished on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@TheMudbrooker]

The William Clay Ford also left Whitefish Bay to search for the Fitzgerald. Her captain, Don Erickson, at first refused, but like Cooper, he couldn't in good conscience not go back out to attempt a rescue.

[@DiD86]

I’ve heard of that vessel elsewhere. Is she still active or not? The name definitely cropped up during my research for the script but I didn’t pay it much notice to be fair.

[@TheMudbrooker]

@@DiD86 She was scrapped in 1986 but her wheelhouse was removed and put on display at a museum in Belle Isle, Michigan.

[@DiD86]

@@TheMudbrooker That's the one! I remember it now! I remember thinking that it would be interesting to see that! Cheers for the extra info, that was an interesting extra. I wish I'd have looked further into the WCF, I would have included her in the story! Still, I've learned something new, and I always appreciate that! This is why I love the comments section. There's always little extra pieces to the story from people such as yourself! Thank you.

[@Donna.V]

​@@DiD86 There are some good interviews with Captain Erickson circulating on KZbin. And some really great footage of Captain Cooper, which you have probably already seen. Captain Cooper is one of my personal heroes. But I always remember Captain Erickson as well, who is most often overlooked in the telling of this tragedy. These captains and their crews were the only ones willing to risk their lives to go back out and search for the Fitz and her crew. The Coast Guard was even reluctant. The recordings of Captain Cooper's conversations are out there. Clearly you have heard some, but perhaps not all. The Anderson and the William Clay Ford took on that nightmare twice. I saw an interview where they discussed the damage done to the Anderson, that no one ever seems to mention. Both crews were traumatized. But they went. They risked everything and they gave it their best. I never can get through any version of this story without tears. Thank you for giving it a fresh voice.

[@donnamuller6460]

I was 17 when the Lightfoot song came out, so of course we had no Internet to learn more, and a puny library. I always thought it was about a shipwreck from the 1800’s- that is, until tonight. I’ve always kept a diary, so tomorrow I’ll be able to see what I was doing as the Fitz struggled and sank. This was my first video with you and I LOVED it; I was weeping by the time you sang that beautiful song. 💔

[@DiD86]

Thank you for saying so. Surprisingly I think you’re only the second person to acknowledge the song at the end!

[@sabrekai8706]

I was going to college in Sault Ste Marie Ontario and remember that storm well. Windows all around the town were blown out, and the house we were living in shook, and actually opened a crack in the exterior wall. We heard about the Fitzgerald, and some of my buddies were involved in the search.

[@robertgolden1080]

Fantastic video, for such a tragic loss. I was around 10 years old when the sinking happened. I have always been drawn to Gordon Lightfoots song. Thanks for posting this documentary.

[@themerchantofengland]

Hello there. I work offshore in the North Sea. All though health and safety standards have greatly improved over the last 20/30 years, accidents do and will occur from time to time. I have to say this video is very well written and put together very professionally, well done sir!. Do keep up the work, I look forward to a rainy afternoon where I can binge on your work. Thank you, oh, you've a new subscriber.

[@DiD86]

Welcome aboard.

[@rottenanimal619]

I remember the storm that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald. I was at a cottage near Tobermory Ontario. That night it was a bad storm. The next day, on the radio, I heard about the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@scott1914]

The story of The Big Fitz will never be forgotten. Everyone who was there to hear the report of such a stout vessel disappearing was just so hard to believe. The story made the national news back in the day, and the anchor men of the day seemed to be stunned. My friends and I talked about it for weeks after it happened, totally shocked by the news Captain Cooper is a hero for turning about to go look for his friend.

[@terrystevens5261]

It made the international news as well, i live in the U.K. and remember it well.

[@kimstill7611]

I graduated from high school in 1975. I'm a Southern Girl who loves folk music. I recently returned from Chicago. A lovely trip for leisure and education. I'm an artist. I recently discovered your channel. I'm appreciative of your narration and excellent grammar. Thank you. Always informative.

[@ShelbyL_B]

What a fitting tribute, the family ringing the bell. I'd be in tears by the end. Your song at the end gave me shivers.

[@Risejugger]

I'm a native of Michigan and I went to college at Northern Michigan University; an older sister went to Northern Michigan the same fall the Fitz went down. I've seen Lake Superior all riled up in November and December and my sister remembers waves that night spraying her dorm a couple of miles inland. I also think the Fitz scraped bottom at six-fathom shoal, broke the rail, knocked off the vent covers and started taking on water. Heading toward Whitefish Point, with hurricane winds and seas coming from astern (NW), the lake narrows dramatically and acts like a bottle neck. Seas would have been coming from the NW, hitting the Canada and Michigan shores and rebounding. The Anderson was a few miles behind and reported the "Three Sisters" that washed over her and would have been headed toward the Fitz, already riding low in the water. The first one lifted the bow of the Fitz and when the nose headed down the following trough, the second one lifted the stern at the same time and drove her right into the bottom of Lake Superior. The impact would have shifted all the cargo forward and the water pressure collapsed the front few hatch covers, and the center of the ship disintegrated. At 728 feet, the third sister would have forced the stern into the air, above the service, where it capsized and went down on it's back. This is just my opinion based on every photo I've seen of the wreck on the bottom.

[@TenereAMir]

Michigan native here, too, and that's my theory also. I remember a documentary where Cpt. Cooper specifically mentioned the three rogue waves almost made his shop go under as well, but they just managed to stay upright. So the Fitz, damaged already, had no chance. Those waves drove her under and she hit bottom and broke.

[@bradparker9664]

I've watched a ton of videos on the Fitzgerald. This is a very well done overview. Very nice job.

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

What I find interesting, is the fact that she was split almost exactly in half with one half upright and the other inverted. That implies a twisting motion.

[@kriegfaust]

Can't believe you covered all this in such detail, with bell clarity and in just 32 minutes. A disaster I'd never heard of before now brought to life and gracefully put to rest. Massive shout for the crew of the Arthur M Anderson and the rescuers that went back out there. A spirit humanity could do with more of right now. Thanks for the tireless work you put into these. Do you have a DM? I have a idea for a video only you could do justice.

[@DiD86]

Thank you once again, Kriegfaust. If you would like to DM me, you can do so via the email address [e-mail] or you can message the DiD facebook page :) Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[@richardluxford5899]

Thoroughly enthralling , well done. A tragic tale of the power of the sea.

[@lindagoentzel6812]

This is the best documentary about Edmond Fitzerald that I have ever seen! I have seen them all!! I almost cry every time I hear Gordon"s song...

[@jackharrison6771]

Another great video, thanks again. One of the best points, is the many excellent diagrams and maps, which help to illustrate various parts of the narrative. Well done and more please. Jack.

[@DiD86]

Glad it was helpful. 👍🏻 I shall definitely be doing plenty more.

[@TruthNTime]

I've watched dozens of films about the Fitz and her demise however, the one thing that sets yours apart for me was your rendition of "The Sailors Hymn." I must say my friend I was not expecting that beautiful hymn, nor to hear you singing it. The first time I watched this video it was around 2 o'clock in the morning and it was very windy and raining outside. The way your voice sounded along with the lyrics, together with the weather outside, was so hauntingly beautiful I was entranced (and teary eyed). I think your version is the best that I've heard, and I've listened to quite few different ones. Now every time I hear the name Edmund Fitzgerald, I instantly think of you singing that hymn. I really like your channel my friend, thank you for all the time, work, and research your put into your videos. I appreciate you sharing this with us.

[@DiD86]

Thank you VERY much for saying so. That is really touching. 😇

[@deanbuss1678]

Upon the news of Gordon Lightfoot's passing I was playing the song "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, then found your video. I was a lad visiting family in Wisconsin on the faithful day. Anyway, I'm glad to have found your video, and subscribed to your channel. Thanks for the video!👍👍👍

[@DiD86]

Sad times. But welcome aboard, nonetheless. 😇

[@TheLostDefender]

I think the scariest part is that they disappeared without anyone witnessing it

[@DiD86]

It must’ve been sudden and catastrophic. A literal heartbeat.

[@robertyoung3992]

The Arthur M Anderson was just about 14 miles behind the Fitz

[@jamieryall8341]

It's a great, but sad tale. Love the song, too. Look into the similar El Faro cargo carrier sinking, that occurred down here in Florida, during Hurricane Joaquin a few years ago.

[@DiD86]

Oh? Not heard of that one, might have to look into that. Thanks for the tip. 👍🏻😇

[@ellisjames7192]

The El Faro went down because of an incompetent captain who put his ship and crew in danger because he ignored all warnings in front of him. That ship did not need to go down.

[@richardteuten4435]

Thanks, one of the best documentaries on the Fitz I've seen.

[@scottkrater2131]

I remember the song when it came out, but as a kid I thought it must have happened a long time ago. I didn't think about it much. It wasn't until I was in my 30's that I discovered it happened when it did. I was quite surprised.

[@Phantom1963]

Rest Peaceful Men of The Fitzgerald ❤ Rest Peaceful Gordon Lightfoot... your music is amazing ❤

[@babychuma1]

Great lakes native, roots in Chicago, Muskegon, Whitefish Bay and Sturgeon Bay, I grew up with stories about the Morell, Bradley and Fitz. Have been to the Mariners church in Detroit. Love any stories about these beautiful and deadly lakes and have paddled a sea kayak built in Wales around the Anderson the lakers are lovely ships. Thanks for putting this story up.

[@wozzer2727]

Another excellent video, I admire your balls for going for the song, our dog was that moved he joined in! But on a serious note respect to the Fitz's crew, these big ships are frightening in heavy seas, RIP Fitz Crew.

[@pjay951]

I am from New Brunswick, Canada and know the song by Gordon Lightfoot, as most Canadians do, but never knew any of these facts. I loved this story!

[@DiD86]

That you very much. I’ve been a fan of Gordon’s for quite sometime and it’s nice that I can give him a nod in this video. Hopefully some more people will discover him for themselves and listen to his wider catalogue of songs, which are all great!

[@margepaz]

Most Americans know the song.

[@terrystevens5261]

@@margepaz So do a lot of Brits.

[@carycary5824]

I have read the entire Coast Guard report. So interesting and so sad. Well done on covering the different theories of why or how it happened. The six fathom shoal theory from Capt. Cooper is most plausible but along with that it could have been the Three Sisters. Thanks for the work you put into this.

[@dickdavidson3616]

Well, it’s certainly a decent into darkness. Such a tragedy and a reminder of the fierceness of the storms in late November.

[@DiD86]

Mother nature is more powerful than man could ever hope to be.

[@patriciabonitz5758]

It was excellent. The best told story on the Fitzgerald. So sad for the families of the lost. Rough job.

[@theDENIMMAN]

Your rendition of that song at the end is gorgeous

[@2BachShakur]

Thanks for your work on this. Great reporting. 👍

[@DiD86]

My pleasure!

[@neekerbreeker]

I just heard we lost Gordon Lightfoot and this was one of your videos I hadn't seen yet, so I'm looking forward to watching. RIP Gordon, thank you for the music!

[@DiD86]

Oh no! 😞 RIP to a true legend!

[@chancevonfreund9145]

Well done the best I have seen on the sinking! I have actually been to White Fish Point and the Museum. Highly recommended.⛵

[@DiD86]

If ever I get the chance to visit the US, the lakes are a prime candidate!

[@mackinacisland3825]

I agree 100٪. I live by lake Michigan and visit the lake most days during the summer. I have also been to White Fish Point. Very interesting place.

[@lyndadavidson391]

David Weiss ( a crew member ) was my boyfriend all through high school. The white dog pictured with him in some documentaries is Hank a friends dog.

[@williesnyder2899]

I too grew up with Gordon Lightfoot’s lovely song. It was all somewhat more relevant to me given my home state and living along a relatively large metro lake. RIP crew of all shipwrecks worldwide.

[@Necron-ez2cc]

No. 5 is the most realistic explanation for her sinking.

[@markwilliams2620]

Nice work, especially for some not from the area. "Sooooo" and "Soo SAINT Marie". We don't pronounce it Frenchy. My first time to Whitefish Point I notice how coarse the sand on the beach/surf was in the 17 degree July water. The next morn the dancing meter high pyramids of water with said sand suspended in them, glittering in the rising sun, taught me about sedimentary physics and the raw power of a barely ornery Superior.

[@ginaheller333]

Just found your channel, and I'm hooked! I was 9 when this tragedy occurred. I remember it so well as it was my Mom's birthday, and she was so upset and crying watching the breaking local news out of Green Bay, WI. I learned some things from you and wanted to say thanks for that.

[@fordprefect80]

Excellent video. You've got a good speaking voice particularly for such a gloomy topic. Almost up there with Richard Burton on the War Of The Worlds album. Thanks.

[@raylocke282]

I use to take iron samples from this ship.The moisture content would cause the iron ore pellets to shift like ball bearings causing the load to shift and unballance the load causing it to sink.All my records of moistures were confiscated by INNCO.

[@DiD86]

Interesting….🧐

[@LTBROYT6A]

This is the best version of the the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald that I have seen !!!

[@DiD86]

Thank you 😁

[@kasey9067]

This is an excellent video. It's very well researched & beautifully narrated. I enjoyed it very much!

[@lsrose]

I’ve been fascinated with this freighter for years. Great video. And new subscriber here! Can’t wait to see what else you’ve done.

[@DiD86]

Welcome aboard!

[@crikker9447]

I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior and when the Weather gets bad the lake is amazingly rough

[@ladyreddeath13]

I've recently started hyperfixating on learning about ship wrecks, so this was an interesting and informative video! Went ahead and subbed, and going to check out your other videos!

[@joe-bang8501]

I came by your channel after watching a Gordon Lightfoot video. Thoroughly informative.

[@DiD86]

Thank you very much. 🥂

[@flyguy5941]

I remember when this happened. It was very sad. Your video gave me some information I didn’t know. Many thanks 🙏🏽

[@thephantomeagle2]

I’ve been to the Whitefish Point museum. Gordon Lightfoot has never made a penny off “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” song. All of the money that is made goes to the families of the crew of “The Fitz”. He even had them mentioned in his will. All money from every play of that wonderful song will go to the families, in perpetuity. Every year, on the anniversary, a bell has been rung 29 times for each member of “The Fitz”. After the death of Gordon Lightfoot it was rung 30 times. I’ve heard that this will happen annually due to the song’s contribution to “The Fitz”.

[@ClyDIley]

Love your narration and voice acting. Might I make a suggestion, for stories like this, add an ever so faint background noise like an old timey radio occasionally cutting in and out. Would really set the mood. Listen to an Atlas Shrugged recording like that one time, with voices and radio in the background that wasnt intentionally but made the story feel like I was sitting in the alternate timeline 1930-esp America

[@aarontrigg9463]

So I purchased a Dandy Warhols single ‘Boys Better’ in about 1998, and a b-side was an acoustic version of ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ - now I thought it was a fictional folk song about a ship lost at sea, it was only within the last few years I realised what it was all about…. I was totally gobsmacked….

[@markinsacramento]

I just found your channel and have to say how much I enjoyed this video on the EF. Can't wait to see what else you have produced.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I agree with Captain Cooper. He is very knowledgeable, and was there that night.

[@babyswheels54]

Great job, great detail. I enjoyed this video and will explore the rest of your channel.

[@jamespope2840]

I was unable to get back to the other story but for this one it said that it's had 305k viewer's in 7 months and 33.7k 2023

[@countpicula]

Subscription earned. Great video. And I’m somewhat obsessed with Edmond Fitzgerald videos. Well done

[@cuddlepaws4423]

Very well presented DID. Like you I learned of the Edmund Fitzgerald having bought a Gordon Lightfoot CD ('If you could read my mind' being a strong influence for giving it a try). In the blurb with the CD it mentioned where he got his inspiration so I looked it up, then I watched the music video on KZbin and I must admit that by the end I was tearful because at the end it has a role call of all the mariners who died that night. I saw a documentary not so long back and Gordon was moved by the event so wrote the song. He was not prepared for the reception he received from those who were left behind when their husbands, fathers and sons went down with the ship. They were deeply touched by the song and thanked him for his beautiful tribute. Gordon himself was a little overwhelmed as he never expected his lyrics to touch so many hearts so deeply. A very humble man. A very sad event that made me look into the great lakes and I have encountered many tales from mariners who state that storms on the open seas tamer than the storms on the great lakes. Whatever the mechanism for her downfall and the death of all hands on board, it was a quick and violent one. Looking at how she lies on the bottom it is as if she was hit broadside by a rogue wave and as her bow went down, her sterm was rolled as it dropped. I can only hope that the end was quick for those on board.

[@DiD86]

Thank you very much. Yes, Mr Lightfoot has produced some truly excellent work but the Wreck of the EF is by far his magnum opus.

[@zackjay71]

The Arthur M Anderson still serves the great Lakes to this day. In fact I saw it last summer at Macikac Island.

[@chrisgillman1162]

How do you only have 3 thousand subs man? Very well done video and I can tell you did you research excellent job man !

[@DiD86]

It’s only early days yet. 😂 Thank you though, I appreciate the support! 👍🏻😇😇

[@bigdaddydaddy3203]

This was absolutely brilliant bravo my friend bravo ♥️👍🏼✌🏼

[@DiD86]

Thank you very much. 😁

[@makattak88]

I race sailboats on Superior in Thunder Bay. I can tell you that lake is so powerful and changes very quickly. Not something to be taken lightly.

[@marioparedes4936]

Great video, luv the song at the end of the video, and the honoring the crew, God bless

[@terrisomers7843]

I'm sad to say that Gordon Lightfoot has left us on Monday, May 1st. He will be missed. I did enjoy your video and your song. Great job on both.

[@davidpowell6098]

Gordon Lightfoot also gave all proceedings of the song to the families, including royalties.

[@DiD86]

What a legend!

[@Jackietreehorn-z5e]

He played a long time ago at my hometown theater which needed renovating. He donated $5,000 after the concert. Class act

[@mrmookypooky]

Awesome videos and narration - I'm surprised there are so few subs for you. what a shame - I hope the algorithm blesses you someday - you deserve it. A+ content, visuals, and narration. Superb work man - Thanks a lot!!

[@DiD86]

Thank you so much for those kind words. The channel hasn’t been going for all that long, only six months. I prepared to play the long game, I’m sure everything else will come with time. Until then, I’m just going to keep plugging away with new videos and chatting with all you lovely people in the little community this channel has generated. 👍🏻😇

[@mrmookypooky]

@@DiD86 keep it going friend, your doing a fantastic job. Thanks for the response!

[@20thCenturyManTrad]

I've seen the Anderson many time in the last week, she's still sailing soundly, I cross the Soo Locks regularly. You did a smashing job in describing the tale.

[@DiD86]

Thank you. I’d love to get across there sometime and see it for myself. I love ships and engineering and all that. Plus nature in all its glory and sometimes fury.

[@20thCenturyManTrad]

@@DiD86 Best to come in fall then, the stormy times round here are like a day in wet Yorkshire, but it's beautiful.

[@tomdaly1010]

thank you for an interesting perspective of the great lakes hunger for shipwrecks

[@Madhouse_Media]

Captain Anderson once said that scariest part of going back out was if he actually did find survivors, he had no idea how to bring them aboard in the storm conditions.

[@braydenlogan448]

Those last few communications from the fitz to the Anderson will forever be haunting given how the ship went down without warning, RIP all 29 men who lost their lives on that fateful November night

[@TenereAMir]

Nice to see a recent documentary on the Big Fitz.

[@thomaseriksson6256]

Thank you. This is the best version I have heard

[@joeb5316]

Late to the game, but on the anniversary of Fitzgerald's loss Arthur M. Anderson sounds a Master Salute to the fallen.

[@johnking1381]

One of the former crew testified that in the 5 weeks before she sank she had been loaded so deep she couldn't get dockside to unload. Instead of waiting for a dredger, or, you know, loading less cargo, they just thrashed her back and forth and used the keel as a battering ram. The first 2 hatches have collapsed inward, hydrostatic load of the water boarding her did this. Whatever reserve buoyancy she had when this happened disappeared in a hurry, and down she went. We'll never know what caused her to take a list at 3.10pm, but grounding or a stress fracture to the troublesome keel are most likely culprits for the fence rail snapping. Thanks for another great watch.

[@DiD86]

Now that is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@whogon]

Fantastic video very good details and stuff I didn't know about sailing ⛵

[@kobayashi.official]

What a great job on the Sailor’s Farewell! That song is a gut punch every time I hear it.

[@DiD86]

Thank you. 😇

[@steveshattuck8128]

I first heard about the Edmund Fitzgerald from an episode of Deep Sea Detectives and heard part of the song too. When I was able to I bought a CD of Gordon Lightfoot's music that included The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald such a good song 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@corinotperfect3818]

I love your story telling ability. Thank you again a great video!!!

[@DiD86]

Thank you for saying so. 😇👍🏻

[@emmanuelpower2439]

Very interesting and thorough research. Sobering. Appreciate your video. Thank you.

[@DiD86]

And thank you too.

[@edwardhugus2772]

Thank you for a wonderfully refreshing video of this tragic event. I was 22 yrs old at the time. Although I loved the song, and couldnt stop singing along, It was very sad everytime I heard it. You did a wonderful job with your presentation.

[@sherirobinson6867]

I remember the day You have done her honor in your presentation.

[@stephentaege6255]

Can anyone tell me ss Edmund Fitzgerald was named after the CEO was he related to ROSE KENNEDY WHO'S MAIDEN NAME WAS FITZGERALD the Edmund Fitzgerald song by Gordon Lightfoot who is one of my favourite Canadian singers is so haunting great video looking forward to seeing more of your documentaries cheers stevo ⚓⚓

[@DiD86]

I remember my dad teaching it to me, and then a little while later, I got up in front of my class and sang it. For some reason, the teachers let me do that! 😂 This was in primary school though (you most likely know it as elementary school).

[@engc4953]

Thank you for this excellent video.