As someone who saw and photographed the mighty Fitz passing through the locks shortly before she went down even waving to a young deckhand I really appreciate you and the Captain having these conversations. I can't explain it but I can't let that ship and crew go even though I want to after all of the decades that have passed. Happy 76th Captain Darrell!
I’m from superior wi, my dad worked for BNSF at the same taconite facility they left at for 32 years (he just retired) I. Have and sen pictures that they took many times she came into the docks. It’s stunning and I am always in awe
@@HistoryMysteryMan my good sir, I was curious if I could ask again about an autograph for the maritime shelf I got. Would display it proudly. I asked last year and sent an email to the shop but didn’t want to hound you about it. Followed over on x. Have a great day sir 🤙 thanks again for the great videos!🙏
I do in fact have the book Capt. Walton is referencing….currently re-reading Ric Mixter’s “Tattletale Sounds: The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations” here at the campground on vacation. The former crewman who is being referenced….I hope he is able to respond to Capt. Walton’s question. It’s folks like him and others still with us who can shed SO much light on this that has been heretofore suppressed for various reasons…..it’s time for those stories to be told and the truth revealed without fear of repercussions. Looking forward to the next episode…..Don, THANK YOU for continuing this series.
I'll be happy to give a interview. I have been telling my story since the day it sank and nobody with any clout has taken me seriously until now. After, to your question!
Very interesting.... I'd love to hear more. My grandfather was on the Fitz the night it went down. I enjoy learning more about this and have been trying to find some of the legal docs/proceedings to dig a bit more into this. Obviously, I never met him... but it's a unique piece of our family history and I hope someday there can be a dive again.
I have listened to all of the interviews with the Captain at least 5 times. He is a national treasure, and this whole series should be on the discovery channel. The information and family connection is 2nd to none. He so clearly lays out the facts and feelings of the era. I feel as if I am standing on the deck. Thank you for curating his story and Captain Walton... thank you for taking the time to share your story with the world ! Best wishes.
Thanks Nathan for your kind words. I agree...Capt. D is the best...and yes, I could see him having his own show on the Discovery Channel or anywhere else. HMM
@@HistoryMysteryManGreat videos regarding the Fitzgerald. I agree with recovering the log book. Being in the Marines, I've been on Navy ships. They kept meticulous records. I would assume the lake boats would too. Where would you find it ? I think there should be entries regarding the issues they were having. They wouldn't necessarily say it over the radio. Just a thought. Good luck to you and the Captain.
Always love watching Capt. Darrell talk about the Edmund Fitzgerald or other storied Great Lakes shipwrecks. God bless Capt. Darrell and History Mystery Man!
Was just flipping through a bunch of blah videos then I saw this one and it made my night! I love listening to Capt’n talk and I greatly enjoy your videos! Thanks to both of you!
Beautiful, well done rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’s tribute. ❤ Another superb, informative, fun video. Captain Darrell, you rock!! And the happiest of Happy Birthday wishes to you. 👻 When you said you’ll be 76 I was shocked because you don’t look a day over 80. (ba-dum tss lol). Thanks, HMM! I will be looking forward to the next installment. ⚓️
Happy birthday to Capt. Darrell! I was so excited to get the notification of this video posting, your maritime videos are my absolute favorite, especially those with Capt. Darrell. I can't wait for part 2.
I absolutely love this video series. Thank you History Mystery Man and Captain Walton. I look forward to these episodes. Hopefully someday Captain Walton will write a book about the Fitz. Keep up the great work gentlemen.
Happy birthday Captain Darrell Walton! Thanks @History Mystery Man for another wonderful sit down visit with him. Looking forward to seeing part two of this video. Every year at this time I think about the Big Fitzgerald( not that I don’t think of her all year long) but this time it just brings back memories of her sinking.
Mr. Evans' recollections about the forward hatches not being flush with the combing on the starboard side is interesting. The Fitz reportedly had a starboard list and I imagine in a following sea, every time the bow dived into a trough, there would be a lot of water still rolling around in the forward end.
Glad to see & hear you guys back talking about one of the top 2 maritime mysteries of all time. Can't get enough of the Titanic and the Big Fitz. May the good Lord rest all who perished on board both.
Darrell Walton is the best, very charismatic, he should host a mystery movie latenight on the weekend. The young Darrell picture was cool, he looked like one of the Allman Brothers, lol. Keep it goin fellas, ya got the best show on youtube.
Once again, fantastic video, and getting new information, really hits hard. And brings more evidence towards what likely happened. After watching the video of the documentary on the British largest ship the Derbyshire that disappeared in a storm off Japan 1980. When they finally found the wreck. They found the air vents and certain hatch covers were missing. At bow of this giant ship. And it allowed the forecastle to slowly fill with sea water, which dragged the bow down, and she lost her bouncy and her hatch covers imploded from the bow to stern and it sank it 2 minutes. The crew had to chance. I believe this is something similar that happened to the big Fitzgerald. Great video again.
Only the bow and stern were recognizable. everything else formed a large debris field. The bow was already full so there was no pressure differential to destroy it. I don't know about the stern.
Excellent as always, happy birthday Captain Darrell. Mike Fornes does great as Gordon Lightfoot, have seen him in person several times and he's excellent
Both my grandfathers brothers were Captains on the great Lakes, Sherwood and Stanley Anderson. They are in the ISMA directory. My grandpa was deaf, struck by lightening while all 3 were jumping on a metal bed frame, he was 5. So my grandpa worked for Oldsmobile because he couldn't work on the ships. But I did my first report on the Fitz in school in 1983 and this is what the family always said. By the way they were from St Mary's Michigan. Yes a couple hatch covers might of been warped but that was just a small factor. They struck the 6 fathoms shoal by Caribou Island that's why the vent cover were missing, already sitting 2 feet lower than they should have been. They said you could see red paint on the shoal. That's when they really started to list, They said McSorley new he was in a bit of trouble when he checked up for the Anderson to catch up. Cause Ernest never checked up. So then a couple big waves two or three, one pushed her nose down and they expected to come back up but the next wave drover down hard and fast. Her bending and twisting over the years helped snap her in half. There is a lot more but that's the gist and they were very certain of that fact. Heard it all the time, because my Grandfather loved going on the Great Lake Carriers, I remember standing out front for long periods with my grandpa with the wind in our face. Some great great memories Elmer Anderson was his name. Love the videos would love to meet you guys, when I ride the Harley thru that area some time!!
Be glad to meet you anytime. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here...super interesting. Great family legacy you have. I also believe the Mighty Fitz grounded out; she was taking water from the top and the bottom. Super cool post...thanks again! HMM
Curious as to the footage video taken on the Fitzgerald from the bow looking back at the stern with waves pounding her. Where did this footage come from and is there more? Sure paints a picture and imagine an even worse storm. Thanks again. Great to hear Capt. Darrell as always. (He's got a twin here in my town...doppledarrell). I remember the storm well. Only time I ever thought the roof of our house was.going to come off. We lived 120 miles directly south of where she went down.
Your a legend Captain Darrel, the hatch problems were probably caused from years of overloading making the structure bend and stress and twist far beyond it's builders limits, but it really makes you wonder how the Fitz ever keep passing the inspections, it just goes to show that the Fitz was junk and either should have been scrapped or completely rebuilt, either way it needed big Dollars spent to fix all of the problems.
I have just recently discovered this video series. I am learning so much here to apply to my own research. The Fitzgerald has been something I have been passionate about my whole life. Great series of interviews. Keep them coming! 😊
Thanks kindly...so appreciated. Once you get hooked on the Mighty Fitz, there's no way out...it becomes a lifelong passion/pursuit. Thanks for finding this channel! HMM
I work in a ohio steel mill & evertime i see taconite i think of the Fitzgerald.... i see alot of it too. Lightfoots ballad happens to be a very common request by all my children when we're on the road. This tragedy shall never be forgotten. thank you both for what you're doing. Gby
Ohhhhhhh yesssssssssss! Let’s go! 🙏🤠🪕🖤🏴☠️What!? How did I not get a notification! I love these so much. Appreciate you two taking the time! Thank you. Putting on now! Lighting up some pipe tobacco in the ol briar . Will burn some green afterwards rewatching ✊respect gentleman
Mr Walton sir, I hope you have had a great week so far. Hope you have a wonderful birthday coming up! Hope the carpel tunnel surgery is healing up nice for some guitar time. Appreciate the knowledge and information you have shared here. About to listen again and fire the ol cob pipe up. I had a question Mr. Darrell sir, anyway I could get an autograph for my maritime shelf? I asked last year but didn’t want to hound y’all about it. Would be an honor sir. For sure Would be cool as hell. I’d display it proudly. Thanks again for the great information as always. Alright sir have a wonderful day, I’ll be loading up some green this evening and thinking of y’all 🤙🪕🏴☠️
I just bought that book last week. I have yet to dive into it. I figured it would most likely be one of the more informative books on the subject. And Happy upcoming Birthday Captain Darrell!!!!
Another thing I’d like to add….Last year you guys raised the question of there being anyone who was on the Anderson that night…. That’s a valid ask, in my opinion. My question, can we find anyone who worked the Homer?🤔🤔🤔 It’d be interesting to hear from any of those folks to see if the Homer acted like the Fitz in rough seas. I believe there was testing of the hatch covers sealing gaskets on the Homer too. It’d be interesting to hear from any of those people to see how the Homer held up in relation to the Fitz. Were there similar problems on both? Being that they were built a year apart, almost identical vessels, it’d be eye opening if they both “wore” the same before the Homer got lengthened.
I'm always searching for crew members of the Anderson; I'll add crew members from the Homer too. We know the Homer was scrapped after the Fitz went down...telling information. Thanks again...HMM
I'm just catching up. These are the kind of videos I have to sit and pay attention to, so it sometimes takes me a while to have the time. Much belated Happy Birthday to Capt. Darrell, and may your holiday season be peaceful and joyous.
I watched a video by Paul Hainault, who was a retired mechanical engineer professor from Michigan Technological Engineering..he gave his therory on how possibly the Edmund Fitzgerald sank..he proposed that the Fitz bottomed out on Superior Sholes near SIate Island in the upper corner of the lake, resulting in punchering and bending the boat..he stated he felt the boat was bent because the rudder being 15 degrees off center or straight ahead..what was interesting was the Fitz was in Detroit and received her last spar deck inspection on October 31st,1975...it was stated that the Fitz passed the inspection and was free to leave..I also found it interesting that after the Fitz settled on the bottom..he stated that the Fitz was covered in oar, not just the stern section but also the bow..and out several feet in front of the bow..he had shown a scratch and an bent area on the stern in a photo...his video also showed that he made a video showing a foam model of the Fitz, he showed the possibility of the center section falling away..and then the bow plunging to the bottom, with the stern following..I found it to be very compelling..the video can be found on RUclips channel Titanic Films by Mark, the title "S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
My grandfather drove semi and hauled steel coils for the River Rouge plant..he passed away in '94 but he told me the Fitz was in Detroit on October 31st, unloading lime stone..he told me that what sent the Fitz to Toledo was that they found that she had mud in her hull and 4 hatch covers that needed to be further inspected..the coast ordered her to Toledo from Detroit immediately..and he told me that she left early that morning..he was there loading coils and getting ready to go to Marquette, mi
So the video can be found at "Titanic films by Mark," it's called The Shipwreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald..the section where Paul Hinault presented his theory of the sinking is pretty interesting, and he made a model of the Fitz out of foam..and explained his version of what he thought had happened
Thank you for putting these videos together. I dove down a rabbit hole on the fitz. I lived my whole live along the Delaware river (Mud Island Range) if you want to look at the area on a chart. But I really am enjoying these videos with you and Captain Walton.
Happy early birthday captain it’s always good to see you two together having these discussions. It’s very important for this to all be documented,some people seem very suspicious trying to rush things when talking about the fitz. You two are keeping things alive and upbeat while keeping people wondering and to help never forget.
Sure do love listening to you and mr walton talk have a great 76 birthday mr walton you and your brother tom are great men to have around cause you two are here to keep the legend's and crew members memories alive may your dad and uncle and Fitzgerald crew be at peace I'm also sure they are all thankful and proud of you both even you history mystery man for keeping the Fitzgerald and great lakes history alive looking forward to more if there is thanks again guys
Captain Walton, I think something you said in a previous interview was really important that the divers that went down and looked at the rocks that so many people thought the Fitzgerald might have hit and they had red paint all over them and that the information was not made public because of insurance reasons. That and the way the ship was built it twisted back and forth
The owners, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, actually got the U.S. Coast Guard to increase the load line for the Edmund Fitzgerald three times - in 1969, 1971, and 1973 - allowing her to carry 4,000 tons more than she was originally designed&intended for. These changes allowed for 3 feet, 3.25 inches less minimum freeboard overall. Because of that, the ship’s deck was only 11.5 feet above water and she was considerably overweight, according to her original intended specifications. This made the ship especially sluggish and slower to recover and decreased her buoyancy when facing the waves on that fateful November 10th. The Skipper had already said that she was never the same after that- if she fell off in a heavy head sea they would sometimes have to make a complete 360 to get back on course. She’d just wallow in the troughs between the waves and then the waves would keep pushing her off from recovering her heading. “Prior to the load-line increases she was said to be a ‘good riding ship’ but afterwards, the Edmund Fitzgerald became a sluggish ship with slower response&recovery times. Captain McSorley said he did not like the action of a ship he described as a ‘wiggling thing’ that scared him.
It’s amazing that so many of these boats that have gone down were due for major repairs as was the Fitz was scheduled for hull repairs during the off season that were put off to get one more season the Fitz was not the only boat to go down under these circumstances
Happy early birthday, Captain Darrell Walton!! It’s incredible about how much knowledge you know about the Edmund Fitzgerald!! Thank you very much for these videos!! Long time subscriber!!
I enjoy watching your channel and captain Darrell. My grandfather moved to Rodger City from Canada when he was young he worked the boats for some time for Bradley transportation he sailed on the original CarlDBradley he knew most of the people that died when the 2nd CarlDBradley sunk by this time my grandfather and grandmother lived CadillacMichigan
Hey I loved this when I was in college at Lakeland com college. I took a video course how to work with real tv cameras my final project was me and two friends of mine made a video of the Edmond fitzgerald. I wish I still had that tape but it was a fun project. My birthday is coming up to Oct 27th 1960. I always was fond of the big fitz.
It's great to see Captain Darrell again! And Happy early Birthday to him. Looking forward to hearing more great stories about the Edmund Fitzgerald. I still think it was structure failure similar to what happy to the MV Derbyshire 5 years later. With that being said, it's always good to see Mr. Don and Captain Darrell telling these interesting stories. It's always an honor and a privilege
Great to see you guys back! I've always felt like a lot of these boats ran with compromised hulls. When McSorely said he had a fence rail down, I figure the compromise was catastrophic. What gets me is the pumps and radar being out. I tend to lean to a proper inspection should have prevented that. That prevention in my mind could have made all the difference. Looking forward to part two!
Regardless of an inspection -- and we go over that in the second video -- they were trying to squeeze just one more month out of the Mighty Fitz. Unfortunately for the crew, that month came during the Gales of November. Thanks for your support...HMM
Outstanding! These videos keep getting better and better. Thank you both so much for such wonderful research that is really exposing the truth about what happened! Happy birthday, Captain Darrell!!
@@Samanthareneeheart1 You're welcome Samantha...and you're right...we'll never know what really happened to the Mighty Fitz, but that's what keeps the mystery alive! HMM
@HistoryMysteryMan yes sir your right and as long as we have people like you & Captin Darrell their memory will live on. And in that memory the crew will live on as well.
I am a huge fan of all your Mighty Fitz videos with Captain Darrell Walton. I have watched all your Fitz videos multiple times, the clamps keep coming up time and time again. I have an idea why the clamps where found like that at the bottom of the lake, not sure if it is possible or not. But if the front of the ship was sinking suddenly, there would be air pressure in the storage hold and if air wanted to escape quickly and there were already faults with the hatch cover or clamps. Wouldn't the air pressure push up on the hatch cover and the push the clamps upwards and would have fallen off to the side?
Very possible scenario...and to add...as she nosedived, the taconite could have easily shifted forward to help pop the hatch covers...so many possible scenarios. Thanks again...HMM
I remember reading that commet that Darrell read. There was a lot in that comment. Really appreciated reading first hand knowledge from someone who sailed on the Fitz.
Firstly happy birthday sir! I absolutely love the history you both provide in these videos!!! Secondly I watched a show that talked about the hatch covers and they did a study and even with loose hatches covers that it wouldn’t have caused the massive flooding it takes to sink a ship, but if they had this new information it might have had a different outcome if was in that horrible tragedy
Absolutely love the conversation and history lesson. As a sitting Captain, I’d love to have a conversation with both of you as it would be an awesome learning experience
Thanks for another great video HMM and Capt Darrell! I'm happy Fitzgerald/ maritime season is once again upon us. I've watched this video twice (and "rewound" many parts of it to re-watch as well). The gentleman covering The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald song is great. Is he a band-mate/ friend of Capt. Darrell's? Capt. Darrell has a lot of first hand knowledge of the Fitz and has done a lot of research as well. Listening to him speak about the ship is always educational. The new info from Donald Evans about the problems with the hatch covers could very well have contributed to the sinking. I look forward to part 2! On a related note it still seems pretty common for hatch covers on a freighter not be entirely clamped down. Within the last week I seen a ship in the Welland Canal that only had the corner clamps and a few in the middle of sides on each hatch cover on. Of course there are no rough seas in the canal, but the ship was headed into Lake Ontario to go to Hamilton once it cleared the canal a few hours later and from what I remember it was a pretty windy day.
The singer was a close friend of Gordon Lightfoot, and has sang his song at the memorial service at Whitefish Point on November 10, for the last 15 years. Thanks for watching!
@@darrellwalton938 I wasn't aware of that, thank you pointing it out and also for providing your insight in these videos. I look forward to more videos on the Ftizgerald and other ships as well.
Happy Birthday, Captain Darrell! Some amazing new info about the Fitz, it’s looking like she had more problems than you could shake a stick at, with all of it combined leading up to the disaster. One thing that always gets me is how some folks say that they couldn’t find a stress fracture in the hull, but in my opinion, wouldn’t the stress fracture be right where the ship broke in half? It’s like your never going to see where the fracture was with it broke in 2 pieces. I believe in Captain Cooper when he said those fence rails were down and when he said about the ship hogging. I believe that she was taking on water from bottom and top side, but this new info about those forward hatch covers is very interesting and makes sense as to why she might have done a big nose dive.
Excellent comments...makes sense to me, especially the nose-dive. There were also crewmen who worked on her that said she was coming apart at the keel well before she went down. We'll never know for sure, but things are starting to add up. Thanks again, Daniel. HMM
As someone who saw and photographed the mighty Fitz passing through the locks shortly before she went down even waving to a young deckhand I really appreciate you and the Captain having these conversations. I can't explain it but I can't let that ship and crew go even though I want to after all of the decades that have passed. Happy 76th Captain Darrell!
@trinity7776 if you have those pictures, it would be neat to see them.
I agree get hold of a young person and ask them to make you a website so you can display them.
@@mnfirefighter813 Just type Edmund Fitzgerald August 1975 in the RUclips search bar and it should be the first result. Thank you.
@@nw8000 Just type Edmund Fitzgerald August 1975 in the RUclips search bar and you can see them all four photos.
I’m from superior wi, my dad worked for BNSF at the same taconite facility they left at for 32 years (he just retired) I. Have and sen pictures that they took many times she came into the docks. It’s stunning and I am always in awe
So great to have you back for season 4, I have enjoyed every minute!
Thank you sir! HMM
I have watched this video 5 times already ! I could listen to Capt Darrell talk about boats for endless hours !
So many thanks for your continual support! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryManyour a legend for doing these! We thank you a ton! Hope you have a great week sir. Much respect.
@@keystonepirate2534 Thank you so much; I appreciate you! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan my good sir, I was curious if I could ask again about an autograph for the maritime shelf I got. Would display it proudly. I asked last year and sent an email to the shop but didn’t want to hound you about it. Followed over on x. Have a great day sir 🤙 thanks again for the great videos!🙏
If you would like to send your address to Capt. Don, we’ll try and honor your request. Thanks so much for your support!
I do in fact have the book Capt. Walton is referencing….currently re-reading Ric Mixter’s “Tattletale Sounds: The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations” here at the campground on vacation.
The former crewman who is being referenced….I hope he is able to respond to Capt. Walton’s question. It’s folks like him and others still with us who can shed SO much light on this that has been heretofore suppressed for various reasons…..it’s time for those stories to be told and the truth revealed without fear of repercussions.
Looking forward to the next episode…..Don, THANK YOU for continuing this series.
You're welcome; thanks again for your support. I need to read Mixter's book. Hopefully, we'll hear from Mr. Evans. HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan AFTER
Being a Michigander, seeing leaves changing and colder winds blowing AND seeing history mystery man upload I know, It’s Fitzgerald time.
Best time of year...colder winds and changing leaves...thanks. HMM
I'm truly enjoying your interviews with Captain Walton. No B.S. No hidden agenda, just his honest opinions and memories.
Thanks for your support, Andy...HMM
I'll be happy to give a interview. I have been telling my story since the day it sank and nobody with any clout has taken me seriously until now. After, to your question!
Thanks Donald. Reach out to me in email lincolnlong9@yahoo.com, and we'll trade telephone numbers. Thanks for your contributions! HMM
@alexlindsey6446 I was asked by Capt Walton to get back to him that when I sailed on the Fitz was it before it's last 5 year inspection or after.
@alexlindsey6446 I don't understand your question(s)...thanks.
Very interesting.... I'd love to hear more. My grandfather was on the Fitz the night it went down. I enjoy learning more about this and have been trying to find some of the legal docs/proceedings to dig a bit more into this. Obviously, I never met him... but it's a unique piece of our family history and I hope someday there can be a dive again.
Whos your grand pops @TheFizz55
🎉 Happy Birthday! Thank you for season 4
You're welcome! HMM
My curiosity has always been whether it broke into two, or just rolled and broke after it sunk due taking on water.
It is that time of the year; "The legend lives on'...thank you gentlemen. You two are the pride of the fleet - welcome back!!
Great to be back...thanks for your support! HMM
🎉🎉 Happy Birthday Captain Darrell, wishing you many more and years of playing your Guitar 🎂
Play it again, Capt. D! Thanks...
I have listened to all of the interviews with the Captain at least 5 times. He is a national treasure, and this whole series should be on the discovery channel. The information and family connection is 2nd to none. He so clearly lays out the facts and feelings of the era. I feel as if I am standing on the deck. Thank you for curating his story and Captain Walton... thank you for taking the time to share your story with the world ! Best wishes.
Thank you for finding the words that perfectly describe how so many of us feel. Well said my friend. I’m hooked and so intrigued
Thanks Nathan for your kind words. I agree...Capt. D is the best...and yes, I could see him having his own show on the Discovery Channel or anywhere else. HMM
Thanks Dee! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryManGreat videos regarding the Fitzgerald. I agree with recovering the log book. Being in the Marines, I've been on Navy ships. They kept meticulous records. I would assume the lake boats would too. Where would you find it ? I think there should be entries regarding the issues they were having. They wouldn't necessarily say it over the radio. Just a thought.
Good luck to you and the Captain.
@@georgesabol459 Thanks George. The logbook would more than likely be in the chart room behind the pilot house. HMM
Capt Darrell is fantastic!
It’s that time of year again. Really looking forward to the upcoming fitz videos. Thanks Mr. HMM
Hope thousand foot vessels aren't on borrowed time
You're always welcome...thanks. HMM
FINALLY CAP IS BACK!! Thank you guys ❤❤❤❤❤
Glad to be back...thanks! HMM
That man playing the guitar & singing! These colder fall days make us Remember...
Yes! I love these colder fall days...the mood is right to reflect on the brave crewmen of the Mighty Fitz...thanks! HMM
Captain Darrell we missed you!!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤ I'm so happy too see you again, i can't wait to watch the episode later ^_^
Thanks...so appreciated. HMM
Happy Birthday wishes to you, Captain Darrel. We love you!❤
I know Capt. D appreciates it...thanks! HMM
Always love watching Capt. Darrell talk about the Edmund Fitzgerald or other storied Great Lakes shipwrecks. God bless Capt. Darrell and History Mystery Man!
Thanks Jimmy...we appreciate you! HMM
Was just flipping through a bunch of blah videos then I saw this one and it made my night! I love listening to Capt’n talk and I greatly enjoy your videos! Thanks to both of you!
Thanks for your support...so appreciated. HMM
Beautiful, well done rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’s tribute. ❤ Another superb, informative, fun video. Captain Darrell, you rock!! And the happiest of Happy Birthday wishes to you. 👻 When you said you’ll be 76 I was shocked because you don’t look a day over 80. (ba-dum tss lol). Thanks, HMM! I will be looking forward to the next installment. ⚓️
Thanks critterscute! I was thinking not a day over 87! Yeah...ole Capt. D. is looking great for an ole seadog! HMM
Happy birthday to Capt. Darrell!
I was so excited to get the notification of this video posting, your maritime videos are my absolute favorite, especially those with Capt. Darrell. I can't wait for part 2.
Thanks kindly. Part 2 is now posted...HMM
Gentleman in the beginning even has a Gibson 12 string guitar similar to the one Lightfoot played. Nice job! 👍
Thanks for pointing that out. Makes it even more special.
Thanks...Capt. D and I went to the show together. It was great! HMM
I absolutely love this video series. Thank you History Mystery Man and Captain Walton. I look forward to these episodes. Hopefully someday Captain Walton will write a book about the Fitz. Keep up the great work gentlemen.
Thanks again, William; we appreciate you. HMM
Thank you to both you guy's!
You're always welcome! HMM
Happy birthday Captain Darrell Walton!
Thanks @History Mystery Man for another wonderful sit down visit with him.
Looking forward to seeing part two of this video.
Every year at this time I think about the Big Fitzgerald( not that I don’t think of her all year long) but this time it just brings back memories of her sinking.
Thanks again tmayer0009; we appreciate you. HMM
Mr. Evans' recollections about the forward hatches not being flush with the combing on the starboard side is interesting.
The Fitz reportedly had a starboard list and I imagine in a following sea, every time the bow dived into a trough, there would be a lot of water still rolling around in the forward end.
Absolutely on the water on deck. Thanks again, Brett. HMM
I could listen to you guys talk about this all day!!
Careful...we might just do that! Thanks for your support. HMM
So good to see Captain Darrell !! Thanks for all the knowledge and stories. Looking forward to more of season 4 !
Thanks ole friend! Good to see you on the maritime side too...HMM
Watching this Nov.10...RIP 29 brave souls...and Gordon Lightfoot.❤😢
Glad to see & hear you guys back talking about one of the top 2 maritime mysteries of all time. Can't get enough of the Titanic and the Big Fitz. May the good Lord rest all who perished on board both.
Thanks again...we appreciate you. HMM
Darrell Walton is the best, very charismatic, he should host a mystery movie latenight on the weekend. The young Darrell picture was cool, he looked like one of the Allman Brothers, lol. Keep it goin fellas, ya got the best show on youtube.
Thanks Warren...so appreciated. I'd definitely watch a late-night mystery movie starring Capt. D! HMM
Once again, fantastic video, and getting new information, really hits hard. And brings more evidence towards what likely happened. After watching the video of the documentary on the British largest ship the Derbyshire that disappeared in a storm off Japan 1980. When they finally found the wreck. They found the air vents and certain hatch covers were missing. At bow of this giant ship. And it allowed the forecastle to slowly fill with sea water, which dragged the bow down, and she lost her bouncy and her hatch covers imploded from the bow to stern and it sank it 2 minutes. The crew had to chance. I believe this is something similar that happened to the big Fitzgerald. Great video again.
Thanks again, Wayne. I need to dig into the story of the Derbyshire. HMM
Only the bow and stern were recognizable. everything else formed a large debris field. The bow was already full so there was no pressure differential to destroy it. I don't know about the stern.
@@KiwiSentinel Interesting...thanks again..
Excellent as always, happy birthday Captain Darrell. Mike Fornes does great as Gordon Lightfoot, have seen him in person several times and he's excellent
I attended the Lightfoot tribute with Capt. D...we loved it! Thanks again, Lyle...HMM
Both my grandfathers brothers were Captains on the great Lakes, Sherwood and Stanley Anderson. They are in the ISMA directory. My grandpa was deaf, struck by lightening while all 3 were jumping on a metal bed frame, he was 5. So my grandpa worked for Oldsmobile because he couldn't work on the ships. But I did my first report on the Fitz in school in 1983 and this is what the family always said. By the way they were from St Mary's Michigan. Yes a couple hatch covers might of been warped but that was just a small factor. They struck the 6 fathoms shoal by Caribou Island that's why the vent cover were missing, already sitting 2 feet lower than they should have been. They said you could see red paint on the shoal. That's when they really started to list, They said McSorley new he was in a bit of trouble when he checked up for the Anderson to catch up. Cause Ernest never checked up. So then a couple big waves two or three, one pushed her nose down and they expected to come back up but the next wave drover down hard and fast. Her bending and twisting over the years helped snap her in half. There is a lot more but that's the gist and they were very certain of that fact. Heard it all the time, because my Grandfather loved going on the Great Lake Carriers, I remember standing out front for long periods with my grandpa with the wind in our face. Some great great memories Elmer Anderson was his name. Love the videos would love to meet you guys, when I ride the Harley thru that area some time!!
Be glad to meet you anytime. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here...super interesting. Great family legacy you have. I also believe the Mighty Fitz grounded out; she was taking water from the top and the bottom. Super cool post...thanks again! HMM
Happy Birthday Captain Darrell and thank you for all you do. I look forward to your Fitz videos every year. And thank you History Mystery Man!
You're always welcome Roger...thanks again! HMM
Curious as to the footage video taken on the Fitzgerald from the bow looking back at the stern with waves pounding her. Where did this footage come from and is there more? Sure paints a picture and imagine an even worse storm.
Thanks again. Great to hear Capt. Darrell as always. (He's got a twin here in my town...doppledarrell).
I remember the storm well. Only time I ever thought the roof of our house was.going to come off. We lived 120 miles directly south of where she went down.
Your a legend Captain Darrel, the hatch problems were probably caused from years of overloading making the structure bend and stress and twist far beyond it's builders limits, but it really makes you wonder how the Fitz ever keep passing the inspections, it just goes to show that the Fitz was junk and either should have been scrapped or completely rebuilt, either way it needed big Dollars spent to fix all of the problems.
👍👍👍👊
Thanks for your feedback. The mighty Fitz definitely had issues that needed addressed. HMM
I have just recently discovered this video series. I am learning so much here to apply to my own research. The Fitzgerald has been something I have been passionate about my whole life. Great series of interviews. Keep them coming! 😊
Thanks kindly...so appreciated. Once you get hooked on the Mighty Fitz, there's no way out...it becomes a lifelong passion/pursuit. Thanks for finding this channel! HMM
Finally... even though it's October, the Gales Of November are gaining strength! HMM and Cap'n D are back... ❤
Thanks for your support, Jeremy...HMM
Thank you for these great Fitzgerald stories. Hoping for many more!
Second one on the way this afternoon...thanks. HMM
That time of year already again. Always enjoy these
Thanks nascarfan88ta. So will Larson win the championship? HMM
big Fitz is legend . the captain's reports are fabulous .
again , heroes all .
Thanks again, Bob...HMM
I work in a ohio steel mill & evertime i see taconite i think of the Fitzgerald.... i see alot of it too. Lightfoots ballad happens to be a very common request by all my children when we're on the road. This tragedy shall never be forgotten. thank you both for what you're doing. Gby
You're welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch...and thanks for sharing the story of the Mighty Fitz with your kids. HMM
Ohhhhhhh yesssssssssss! Let’s go! 🙏🤠🪕🖤🏴☠️What!? How did I not get a notification! I love these so much. Appreciate you two taking the time! Thank you. Putting on now! Lighting up some pipe tobacco in the ol briar . Will burn some green afterwards rewatching ✊respect gentleman
Thanks for the comment. “Roger That”, on the burning of the green! Part 2 coming soon!
Mr Walton sir, I hope you have had a great week so far. Hope you have a wonderful birthday coming up! Hope the carpel tunnel surgery is healing up nice for some guitar time. Appreciate the knowledge and information you have shared here. About to listen again and fire the ol cob pipe up. I had a question Mr. Darrell sir, anyway I could get an autograph for my maritime shelf? I asked last year but didn’t want to hound y’all about it. Would be an honor sir. For sure Would be cool as hell. I’d display it proudly. Thanks again for the great information as always. Alright sir have a wonderful day, I’ll be loading up some green this evening and thinking of y’all 🤙🪕🏴☠️
Keystone Pirate rocks! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan 🙏
I just bought that book last week. I have yet to dive into it. I figured it would most likely be one of the more informative books on the subject.
And Happy upcoming Birthday Captain Darrell!!!!
Another thing I’d like to add….Last year you guys raised the question of there being anyone who was on the Anderson that night…. That’s a valid ask, in my opinion.
My question, can we find anyone who worked the Homer?🤔🤔🤔 It’d be interesting to hear from any of those folks to see if the Homer acted like the Fitz in rough seas. I believe there was testing of the hatch covers sealing gaskets on the Homer too. It’d be interesting to hear from any of those people to see how the Homer held up in relation to the Fitz. Were there similar problems on both? Being that they were built a year apart, almost identical vessels, it’d be eye opening if they both “wore” the same before the Homer got lengthened.
I'm always searching for crew members of the Anderson; I'll add crew members from the Homer too. We know the Homer was scrapped after the Fitz went down...telling information. Thanks again...HMM
Another great episode! Thanks and happy birthday, Captain Walton!
Thanks again, Todd...appreciate your support. HMM
I'm just catching up. These are the kind of videos I have to sit and pay attention to, so it sometimes takes me a while to have the time. Much belated Happy Birthday to Capt. Darrell, and may your holiday season be peaceful and joyous.
Thanks again Don and Darrell ! Look forward to the next installment .
Thanks again, Ron; the next episode is now published. HMM
Great shows.
Keep them coming please.
You got it...thanks. Part 2 coming later today, hopefully. HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan I look forward to it.
I watched a video by Paul Hainault, who was a retired mechanical engineer professor from Michigan Technological Engineering..he gave his therory on how possibly the Edmund Fitzgerald sank..he proposed that the Fitz bottomed out on Superior Sholes near SIate Island in the upper corner of the lake, resulting in punchering and bending the boat..he stated he felt the boat was bent because the rudder being 15 degrees off center or straight ahead..what was interesting was the Fitz was in Detroit and received her last spar deck inspection on October 31st,1975...it was stated that the Fitz passed the inspection and was free to leave..I also found it interesting that after the Fitz settled on the bottom..he stated that the Fitz was covered in oar, not just the stern section but also the bow..and out several feet in front of the bow..he had shown a scratch and an bent area on the stern in a photo...his video also showed that he made a video showing a foam model of the Fitz, he showed the possibility of the center section falling away..and then the bow plunging to the bottom, with the stern following..I found it to be very compelling..the video can be found on RUclips channel Titanic Films by Mark, the title "S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
Last inspection was done in Toledo on Oct. 31, 1975. Thanks for watching!
My grandfather drove semi and hauled steel coils for the River Rouge plant..he passed away in '94 but he told me the Fitz was in Detroit on October 31st, unloading lime stone..he told me that what sent the Fitz to Toledo was that they found that she had mud in her hull and 4 hatch covers that needed to be further inspected..the coast ordered her to Toledo from Detroit immediately..and he told me that she left early that morning..he was there loading coils and getting ready to go to Marquette, mi
Interesting info; thanks for sharing it here! HMM
Interesting info. Had never heard any of this before. Thanks again for sharing it here. Where can I see that video of the foam model? Thanks...HMM
So the video can be found at "Titanic films by Mark," it's called The Shipwreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald..the section where Paul Hinault presented his theory of the sinking is pretty interesting, and he made a model of the Fitz out of foam..and explained his version of what he thought had happened
Thank you for putting these videos together. I dove down a rabbit hole on the fitz. I lived my whole live along the Delaware river (Mud Island Range) if you want to look at the area on a chart. But I really am enjoying these videos with you and Captain Walton.
Thank you so much; we appreciate your support. Stop by anytime! HMM
Thank you guys!! Have really enjoyed this series!! Happy birthday Cap!!
Thanks...so appreciated. HMM
This year is going to be so hard!! Happy birthday captain D!
I have been fascinated with the Edmund Fitzgerald since I was 10 or so. Enjoy watching all this. Thank you for the videos.
You're welcome; thanks for your interest! HMM
Happiest of birthdays Captain Darrell
I should have it uploaded later this afternoon...thanks. HMM
👍👍howdy HMM and Capt. Darrell... definitely gonna have to find that book you showed...this is all so enthralling...see you feller's later 👍👍👊🤘
Thanks again, Elroy...HMM
I just did captain Darrell!! I'm subscribed!! Love this stuff. More than a mystery. Those men deserve to never be forgotten.
Thanks Mark! We appreciate your subscription...HMM
Happy early birthday captain it’s always good to see you two together having these discussions. It’s very important for this to all be documented,some people seem very suspicious trying to rush things when talking about the fitz. You two are keeping things alive and upbeat while keeping people wondering and to help never forget.
Many thanks for your kind words! HMM
"Doc, is it arthritis?"
Doctor... " No, its early rigor mortis"
😂😂😂
Gotta love Capt. D!
Great video, Don can tell you worked hard on it!! And Capt Darrell, Happy Birthday!! I'm looking forward to the next one!!
So many thanks! HMM
Sure do love listening to you and mr walton talk have a great 76 birthday mr walton you and your brother tom are great men to have around cause you two are here to keep the legend's and crew members memories alive may your dad and uncle and Fitzgerald crew be at peace I'm also sure they are all thankful and proud of you both even you history mystery man for keeping the Fitzgerald and great lakes history alive looking forward to more if there is thanks again guys
Thanks again, AJ...we appreciate your kind words regarding what we're doing. HMM
Plus, you don't see inspectors jumping up on top of the hatch covers
Good point! Thanks...HMM
Greetings from Reading Michigan!😊😊
Great to hear from you Reading! Thans...HMM
Happy Birthday, Captain Darrell! As a man who loves ships and the story of the Fitz, it's always a joy to hear him speak! Thank you!
You're welcome Aaron; thanks for your interest. HMM
Captain Walton, I think something you said in a previous interview was really important that the divers that went down and looked at the rocks that so many people thought the Fitzgerald might have hit and they had red paint all over them and that the information was not made public because of insurance reasons. That and the way the ship was built it twisted back and forth
The owners,
Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company,
actually got the U.S. Coast Guard
to increase the load line for the Edmund Fitzgerald three times -
in 1969, 1971, and 1973 -
allowing her to carry 4,000 tons more than she was originally designed&intended for.
These changes allowed for
3 feet, 3.25 inches less
minimum freeboard overall.
Because of that,
the ship’s deck was only 11.5 feet above water and she was considerably overweight,
according to her original intended specifications.
This made the ship especially sluggish and slower to recover and decreased her buoyancy
when facing the waves
on that fateful November 10th.
The Skipper had already said that she was never the same after that-
if she fell off in a heavy head sea they would sometimes have to make a complete 360 to get back on course.
She’d just wallow in the troughs between the waves and then the waves would keep pushing her off from recovering her heading.
“Prior to the load-line increases
she was said to be a
‘good riding ship’
but afterwards,
the Edmund Fitzgerald became
a sluggish ship with
slower response&recovery times.
Captain McSorley said he did not like the action of a ship he described as a ‘wiggling thing’
that scared him.
Great info. Thanks for putting it together and sharing it here! HMM
It's Don and Darrell time of year thanks guys for teaching us. Brian from Colorado 🤠
Hey there Brian from Colorado. Thanks again my friend...HMM
I'm excited to see the upcoming videos, the Lightfoot cover sounded amazing!
The propeller crack really shocked me as well.
Thanks...more on the cracked propeller blade in the next episode, hopefully coming this afternoon. HMM
It’s amazing that so many of these boats that have gone down were due for major repairs as was the Fitz was scheduled for hull repairs during the off season that were put off to get one more season the Fitz was not the only boat to go down under these circumstances
Understood. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. HMM
Don you just keep doing amazing work. Thanks for sharing ole buddy !!
Thanks ole friend! Happy Halloween 200 weekend!
The good captain is such a delight to listen to. This made my day.
Thanks...so appreciated! HMM
HMM and Captain Darrell, Thank You for the video's and amazing research. As always you two Be Safe and waiting until the next video!
Thanks again...we appreciate you. HMM
Happy early birthday, Captain Darrell Walton!! It’s incredible about how much knowledge you know about the Edmund Fitzgerald!! Thank you very much for these videos!! Long time subscriber!!
Thanks Alexander...we appreciate your continued support. HMM
I love that we're back in Edmund Fitzgerald season!
You and me both, brother...thanks again, Wayne. HMM
I enjoy watching your channel and captain Darrell. My grandfather moved to Rodger City from Canada when he was young he worked the boats for some time for Bradley transportation he sailed on the original CarlDBradley he knew most of the people that died when the 2nd CarlDBradley sunk by this time my grandfather and grandmother lived CadillacMichigan
How interesting it would have been to have interviewed your grandfather...thanks. HMM
@HistoryMysteryMan he lead a interesting life he's been dead for 30 plus years he was 90 when he died
@@phillipgarrow2297 Wow...thanks.
Thank you Don and Capt Darrell for keeping the memory of the 29 alive. Bravo Zulu my friends
Thanks for the “Bravo Zulu! We keep doing the best we can!
Love the Bravo Zulu! Thanks for your support...HMM
Thanks for your good show glad your back
Thanks again, Mike...HMM
Hey I loved this when I was in college at Lakeland com college. I took a video course how to work with real tv cameras my final project was me and two friends of mine made a video of the Edmond fitzgerald. I wish I still had that tape but it was a fun project. My birthday is coming up to Oct 27th 1960. I always was fond of the big fitz.
Thanks Curtis...appreciate you sharing your stories here. HMM
Look forward to this series every year- Thank you so much HMM and Captain Darryl.
You're welcome Jennifer; thanks for your continued support...HMM
I was just thinking " isn't it about time for some Edmund Fitzgerald videos"! This is great!
Thanks for being here! HMM
It's great to see Captain Darrell again! And Happy early Birthday to him. Looking forward to hearing more great stories about the Edmund Fitzgerald. I still think it was structure failure similar to what happy to the MV Derbyshire 5 years later. With that being said, it's always good to see Mr. Don and Captain Darrell telling these interesting stories. It's always an honor and a privilege
Thanks Shawn; we appreciate your kind words of support. I'll have to get with Capt. D. on the Derbyshire. HMM
Great to see Captain Darrell !.....Happy Birthday Captain!!!!!!
Great to see you guys back! I've always felt like a lot of these boats ran with compromised hulls. When McSorely said he had a fence rail down, I figure the compromise was catastrophic. What gets me is the pumps and radar being out. I tend to lean to a proper inspection should have prevented that. That prevention in my mind could have made all the difference. Looking forward to part two!
Regardless of an inspection -- and we go over that in the second video -- they were trying to squeeze just one more month out of the Mighty Fitz. Unfortunately for the crew, that month came during the Gales of November. Thanks for your support...HMM
Outstanding! These videos keep getting better and better. Thank you both so much for such wonderful research that is really exposing the truth about what happened! Happy birthday, Captain Darrell!!
Thanks for your support! HMM
Absolutely love this! I love Cap Darrell's shirt too HMM!
Thanks for your support, Jody...HMM
Hooray more captain darrell
I'll buy that...thanks! HMM
Keep up the great work gents luv it am a big fan happy bday capt Darrel
Thanks kindly...so appreciated. HMM
Some very interesting information. I am looking forward to learning more. And Captin Darrel, happy birthday, sir.
Thanks Samantha...we appreciate you. HMM
@HistoryMysteryMan I appreciate you two in doing this. Very educational, I think. Yes, there is a lot of speculation, but thats all we have left. 😥
@@Samanthareneeheart1 You're welcome Samantha...and you're right...we'll never know what really happened to the Mighty Fitz, but that's what keeps the mystery alive! HMM
@HistoryMysteryMan yes sir your right and as long as we have people like you & Captin Darrell their memory will live on. And in that memory the crew will live on as well.
@@Samanthareneeheart1 Thanks Samantha...
I am a huge fan of all your Mighty Fitz videos with Captain Darrell Walton. I have watched all your Fitz videos multiple times, the clamps keep coming up time and time again. I have an idea why the clamps where found like that at the bottom of the lake, not sure if it is possible or not. But if the front of the ship was sinking suddenly, there would be air pressure in the storage hold and if air wanted to escape quickly and there were already faults with the hatch cover or clamps. Wouldn't the air pressure push up on the hatch cover and the push the clamps upwards and would have fallen off to the side?
Very possible scenario...and to add...as she nosedived, the taconite could have easily shifted forward to help pop the hatch covers...so many possible scenarios. Thanks again...HMM
Great videos about the Edmond Fitzgerald! Love Capt Darrell's stories!! Happy birthday Captain Darrell!!🍻
Thanks Carlton...HMM
I remember reading that commet that Darrell read. There was a lot in that comment. Really appreciated reading first hand knowledge from someone who sailed on the Fitz.
Thanks again! HMM
Great time of the year and looking forward to these vids. Thank you
Thanks Aaron...always appreciated. HMM
Firstly happy birthday sir! I absolutely love the history you both provide in these videos!!! Secondly I watched a show that talked about the hatch covers and they did a study and even with loose hatches covers that it wouldn’t have caused the massive flooding it takes to sink a ship, but if they had this new information it might have had a different outcome if was in that horrible tragedy
Interesting information; thanks for sharing your thoughts here. HMM
Keep it going and going and going.......Great channel and this guy is awesome!
Thanks...so appreciated. HMM
Absolutely love the conversation and history lesson. As a sitting Captain, I’d love to have a conversation with both of you as it would be an awesome learning experience
Be glad to chat sometime; thanks for your support. HMM
Happy Birthday Capt Darrell! Great to see you both back talking about the Fitzgerald again!!
Great to be back...thanks Peter. HMM
Thanks for another great video HMM and Capt Darrell! I'm happy Fitzgerald/ maritime season is once again upon us. I've watched this video twice (and "rewound" many parts of it to re-watch as well). The gentleman covering The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald song is great. Is he a band-mate/ friend of Capt. Darrell's? Capt. Darrell has a lot of first hand knowledge of the Fitz and has done a lot of research as well. Listening to him speak about the ship is always educational. The new info from Donald Evans about the problems with the hatch covers could very well have contributed to the sinking. I look forward to part 2!
On a related note it still seems pretty common for hatch covers on a freighter not be entirely clamped down. Within the last week I seen a ship in the Welland Canal that only had the corner clamps and a few in the middle of sides on each hatch cover on. Of course there are no rough seas in the canal, but the ship was headed into Lake Ontario to go to Hamilton once it cleared the canal a few hours later and from what I remember it was a pretty windy day.
The singer was a close friend of Gordon Lightfoot, and has sang his song at the memorial service at Whitefish Point on November 10, for the last 15 years. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the help Capt. D! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan What video was the mr evans comment in
@@dmoney4414 This one...ruclips.net/video/_TQMHUJvZ-M/видео.html
@@darrellwalton938 I wasn't aware of that, thank you pointing it out and also for providing your insight in these videos. I look forward to more videos on the Ftizgerald and other ships as well.
Love you guys!
So many thanks! HMM
Happy Birthday, Captain Darrell! Some amazing new info about the Fitz, it’s looking like she had more problems than you could shake a stick at, with all of it combined leading up to the disaster. One thing that always gets me is how some folks say that they couldn’t find a stress fracture in the hull, but in my opinion, wouldn’t the stress fracture be right where the ship broke in half? It’s like your never going to see where the fracture was with it broke in 2 pieces. I believe in Captain Cooper when he said those fence rails were down and when he said about the ship hogging. I believe that she was taking on water from bottom and top side, but this new info about those forward hatch covers is very interesting and makes sense as to why she might have done a big nose dive.
Excellent comments...makes sense to me, especially the nose-dive. There were also crewmen who worked on her that said she was coming apart at the keel well before she went down. We'll never know for sure, but things are starting to add up. Thanks again, Daniel. HMM
Happy Birthday Captain Darrel. Love your insight and insider knowledge. You are a national treasure
Thanks kindly for your support! HMM