I was there for this year's memorial for the first time--people come from across the country to attend (and it's close enough to Canada so there may have been some Canadian visitors). The livestream does not do justice to just how powerful the beam is. I was skeptical at first, as it was lit just before sunset. As it got darker and thick fog formed on Lake Superior, you could clearly see the beam's rotation & how bright it was. I walked & hiked to several different areas to view it from several vantage points, and I was able to get into the tower to see it while the beacon was still lit. I'm still amazed at the experience & definitely want to go back next year (fortunate to live only a few hours away). I highly encourage folks to experience this at least once. Plan ahead, though--it gets BUSY (i.e., challenging to find parking).
Beautiful memorial to those 29 men. I remember it. Was 14 yrs old, living in Muskegon, MI, a port city. Grew up loving the boats, so this was a real shock. At first hard to believe, but as news filtered in, it gradually became real to everyone. I knew the lakes could get rough, just never expected a big ship to sink.
Just came over from the live memorial at the Great Lakes Ship Museum. It was very touching ❤ This is going to be as well I am sure. RIP to the 29 crew of the Mighty Fitz. Gone, but never forgotten ⚓️🔔❤️
My husband and I were on our honeymoon and had to pull over in Sault Ste. Marie that fateful night because of weather. They shut the bridge down after a camper shell on a pickup truck blew off and over the side. There was 1 restaurant in town and the line waiting to get in went around the block when the shut down the bridge. We grabbed some bread and cheese at the groc store & went back to our motel. Next morning we crossed the bridge - at the restaurant I kept hearing a church bell ringing and ask why, our waitress told us what had happened to The Edmond Fitzgerald. I bought every newspaper I could find for the articles-still have them to this day.
I was in my junior year of highschool when this happened, I still remember the assembly the school had for this tragedy, was very quiet, such a nice show ❤
I wonder if there's any ships out on the lake that can see the beacon? I just turned 15. My birthday was 2 days before on the 8th. I was living near Sandstone, Minnesota, which is roughly 50-60 miles south of Duluth. The storm that sank the Fitzgerald hit my home, too, but I can't remember how bad it was at my place. I remember we had lots of snow that November and that's all.
I was there for this year's memorial for the first time--people come from across the country to attend (and it's close enough to Canada so there may have been some Canadian visitors). The livestream does not do justice to just how powerful the beam is. I was skeptical at first, as it was lit just before sunset. As it got darker and thick fog formed on Lake Superior, you could clearly see the beam's rotation & how bright it was. I walked & hiked to several different areas to view it from several vantage points, and I was able to get into the tower to see it while the beacon was still lit. I'm still amazed at the experience & definitely want to go back next year (fortunate to live only a few hours away). I highly encourage folks to experience this at least once. Plan ahead, though--it gets BUSY (i.e., challenging to find parking).
Bravo folks and thanks for sharing.
Here we go, Rest in peace to all the souls lost on the Fitz
Here we go?! 🤔😒
Beautiful memorial to those 29 men. I remember it. Was 14 yrs old, living in Muskegon, MI, a port city. Grew up loving the boats, so this was a real shock. At first hard to believe, but as news filtered in, it gradually became real to everyone. I knew the lakes could get rough, just never expected a big ship to sink.
Just came over from the live memorial at the Great Lakes Ship Museum. It was very touching ❤ This is going to be as well I am sure. RIP to the 29 crew of the Mighty Fitz. Gone, but never forgotten ⚓️🔔❤️
My husband and I were on our honeymoon and had to pull over in Sault Ste. Marie that fateful night because of weather. They shut the bridge down after a camper shell on a pickup truck blew off and over the side. There was 1 restaurant in town and the line waiting to get in went around the block when the shut down the bridge. We grabbed some bread and cheese at the groc store & went back to our motel. Next morning we crossed the bridge - at the restaurant I kept hearing a church bell ringing and ask why, our waitress told us what had happened to The Edmond Fitzgerald. I bought every newspaper I could find for the articles-still have them to this day.
Wow that's a cool story. Sad though.
So poignant
I was in my junior year of highschool when this happened, I still remember the assembly the school had for this tragedy, was very quiet, such a nice show ❤
Looking forward to retirement next year and plan to attend this event. I was a senior in high school, Hayward WI when this happened
WHY do I cry, every dang year?!
Only my second year. At the rate I am going, I see myself saying the same thing for years to come 😞💔
Know that you are not alone.
Beautiful memorial ❤️
I wish so much those young men had a chance to live and not go down into the dark cold fathoms of Superior. Just do darn sad. 💔💔.
may they rest in eternal peace and be never forgotten
i wouldnt let my biggest ship status get beat by only a foot i'd weld on a dragon head on the front of the ship or something lol
And for when they turned on the light to honor Gordon Lightfoot. I was 10 years old living on the north shore. My dad worked at Reserve Mining..
I wonder if there's any ships out on the lake that can see the beacon?
I just turned 15. My birthday was 2 days before on the 8th. I was living near Sandstone, Minnesota, which is roughly 50-60 miles south of Duluth. The storm that sank the Fitzgerald hit my home, too, but I can't remember how bad it was at my place. I remember we had lots of snow that November and that's all.
Thanks for sharing that story.
@critterscute3642
You're welcome. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for your reply.
And the Anderson is on Lake Huron headed to Stoneport tonight.
Thank you for remembering them too. I can imagine some very heavy hearts on the Anderson tonight.