The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s (GLSHS) annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony was held 7 p.m. Sunday at Whitefish Point.
Forty-nine years ago, the Fitzgerald sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on Nov. 10, 1975, in a severe storm.
The entire crew of 29 men was lost that night:
- Michael Armagost
- Frederick Beetcher
- Thomas Bentsen
- Edward Bindon
- Thomas Borgeson
- Oliver Champeau
- Nolan Church
- Ransom Cundy
- Thomas Edwards
- Russell Haskell
- George Holl
- Bruce Hudson
- Allen Kalmon
- Gordon MacLellan
- Joseph Mazes
- John McCarthy
- Ernest McSorley
- Eugene O'Brien
- Karl Peckol
- John Poviach
- James Pratt
- Robert Rafferty
- Paul Riippa
- John Simmons
- William Spengler
- Mark Thomas
- Ralph Walton
- David Weiss
- Blaine Wilhelm
The ceremony was not opened to the public, however a livestream was broadcast on their Facebook page and on YouTube.
The entire ceremony can be viewed here.
A few family members of the Fitzgerald crew, along with dignitaries, special guests and US Coast Guard members attended.
Over 2,000 people viewed the live feed on YouTube with many more on Facebook.
Mike Fornes, singer of the Gordon Lightfoot tribute, provided music including the infamous Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald song. Fornes also read the invocation and benediction.
Executive Director of the GLSHS, Bruce Lynn, provided opening remarks and introductions.
Author, historian and researcher John U. Bacon spent time at the podium reflecting on the work of those on the Great Lakes and those who died that fateful day on eastern Lake Superior.
Senior Chief Boatswains Mate, Kyle Rice, USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes provided the Call to Last Watch.
Near the end of the ceremony, the names of each crew member was read with the Fitzgerald bell rung for each one. The bell was rang one final time for all mariners lost at sea.
For next year's 50th anniversary, Lynn said a bigger event is in the making with part of it open to the general public and said to stay tuned to their website for the latest information.
