Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the shipwreck that claimed the Edmund Fitzgerald and all 29 men aboard. 

For those unfamiliar, the Edmund Fitzgerald was a bulk carrier that frequently sailed the Great Lakes. On this particular trip, the ship was sailing from Wisconsin to Zug Island, Detroit, Michigan. To avoid a November storm, the Captain changed course to take shelter in White Fish Bay. Despite frequent radio communication from the ship, the Fitzgerald never made White Fish Bay. The ship was later found at the bottom of Lake Superior, 17 miles away from its intended destination, and the crew was missing. A clear cause for the wreck was never determined. 

From that point on, the shipwreck has developed into a local legend, fueling a few books and, most popularly, a ballad by Gordon Lightfoot. For those of you not from Michigan or the Midwest, this fascination with this ship may come off as a bit strange. A ship wrecked in a bad storm — not unheard of — and definitely not the first time a boat has sunk in Lake Superior. I think what captures people’s imagination about the ship is how close it was to making it to safety, and the impact it had on the families of the sailors. There is also the element of mystery, something to keep people thinking and guessing at the real cause of the wreck. 

For folks born and raised in Michigan, like myself, the story serves as a reminder to respect our lakes and the “Gales of November” that come with them, as well as a reminder of the mysterious things that can happen out on those waters. We learn it early, at least in public schools. I still remember one day in 6th grade, my teacher played us Lightfoot’s song, and then we spent a good portion of the day reading stories about the wreck. For many young Michiganders, this cemented the ship in our minds, and we were never the same. People who move here tend to learn of the legend if they travel to the right parts of the state, and in every new introduction I have had the honor of witnessing, a similar fascination takes place. 

Remembering the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald means remembering the 29 sailors who were lost. The bells at the Mariners Church in Detroit will ring 30 times on Monday: 29 rings for the sailors, one for Gordon Lightfoot (added after his death in 2023 as a way to honor how he kept the sailors’ story alive). It also provides a unique opportunity to think about how we treat our Lakes.  

Lightfoot wrote, “does anyone know where a love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?” A stark reminder of what can happen when we forget to respect the lakes whenever we visit. While gorgeous, we should not be lulled into a sense of safety because they are ‘lakes.’ 

The tale of the Fitzgerald continues to catch the minds of many who call the Great Lakes region home. So this Monday, take a moment to remember the good old shipping crew and blast The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald as loud as you so please!