46 years after sinking, Edmund Fitzgerald visit still haunts Michigan diver

Nov. 10, 1975, will live in infamy in Michigan maritime history.

It's the day the Edmund Fitzgerald got caught in a storm, got torn apart in 30-foot waves, and sank to the depths of Lake Superior — 530 feet below the surface, to be exact — taking 29 souls with her.

2021 is the 46th anniversary of its sinking. Last year, on the 45th anniversary, a Michigan maritime documentarian recalled his dive to the wreck site, and the one image that continues to haunt him.

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[arcosprey]

Anchor: "A discovery that haunts him forever"

Diver: "Man I just can't wait to go back there again."

[cathyaudette]

I have heard that the reason no bodies ever surfaced is because the water is so frigid at the bottom of Superior that no bacteria survives there and the bodies do not decompose and float to the surface. Aside from the one man lying on the lake floor near the ship it is guessed that the other men's bodies are still inside the wreck. The Edmund Fitzgerald went down so fast and hit so hard the crew had no time to react. RIP to the 29 men who died along with their beloved Big Fitz.

[leroyjones]

One thing that is seldom to never talked about in polite company is how overloaded the Fitz was when she went down. They had been painting the water line higher and higher
on the hull over the years so they could haul heavier loads. She was riding much lower in the water and with a MUCH HEAVIER load than she was originally designed to carry.
Overloaded. Old. Big storm. Gone.

[kirkswanum]

My uncle worked on the Fitzgerald in 72, 73, and 74. He decided he wanted to try something different in 75. Lucky him. And my Grandfather was on the Anderson the boat closest to it when it sank. The Fitzgerald is part of my family history.

[godblessamerica]

Rest in peace, Gordon Lightfoot! Your legend will live on in Minnesota and beyond!

[Glizzy_Shaman]

2:10 They actually impact a piece of the wreck. Notice the sudden stop, and vibration of the metal closest to the sub.

[ctg]

I can't help but think about what a horrifying experience it must have been, especially when I try to imagine the conditions in the stern.

[Remyfox]

Fun fact: Bob Ballard dove down in Delta when he visited the Lusitania.

[johnzeszut]

I was 23 when this happened and it was big news here in Chicago. Thank you Gordon Lightfoot for reminding me. I hope that whatever did happen that it was a quick and painless end for 29 good men.

[kirkscobey]

As a 9 year old kid I still can see this in my mind as I watched it pass thru Sarnia Ontario/Port Huron. We have a Polaroid. This was about a week before it sunk

[kellybreen]

I remember it was lovely weather the day before the ship sank. Then the cold front came in and how quickly everything changed.

[janetyeoman]

Orillia’s Gordon Lightfoot immortalized the sinking with a classic ballad. 🇨🇦👍

[TRKEWEENAW]

Tonight, on the southern shore in the UP at Hermit's Cove and elsewhere, Lake Superior is spawning another ghostly storm almost in remembrance of the Fitzgerald. The waves are mounting and with East winds of 20-30 mph and gusts of over 40 mph forecast for tomorrow, the waves will be massive no doubt..

[TamaraPHILIPPIANS]

It's November 10th, 2022 tonight and the 47th sad anniversary of the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Never Forgotten and my deepest condolences for all the families❤️🙏

[geekhan]

This is one if those songs, that if you close your eyes as you listen to it it paints such a vivid picture that is Dream like

[babyloco]

Rest In Peace to All 29 Men that passed away when that ship sank

[wangson]

Brilliant piece! I'm always both fascinated and terrified whenever I see these massive ships laying in the bottom of a lake/ocean . It's the incredible silence and darkness at the bottom of these massive bodies of water that gets to me. Thanks for this!

[MaxLovesNascarOfficial]

It is now the 47th anniversary. This was a very horrible disaster where everyone in the crew died. This video of the shipwreck looks very cool but very sad. I hope everyone has an awesome day.

[ParatrooperNinja]

Jesus the editing on this is jarring! And what the hell are those iPhone in the sand shots?! 😂

[rickramos]

I still remember it being broadcasted on the news. November 10 1975 is etched on my mind.