Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” stands as more than just a song; it’s a poignant ballad that immortalizes the tragic sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975. This folk masterpiece, released less than a year after the disaster, captivated audiences worldwide, not only for its haunting melody but for its compelling narrative of maritime loss. The song, “Song Edmund Fitzgerald”, became an instant classic, deeply embedding the ship’s story into popular culture and ensuring that the 29 souls lost that November night would never be forgotten.
To truly appreciate the impact of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, it’s essential to understand both the artist behind it and the real-life events that inspired its creation. Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian folk icon, possessed a unique storytelling ability that resonated deeply with listeners. Born in Orillia, Ontario, in 1938, Lightfoot carved a niche for himself in the folk scene with his introspective lyrics and melodic guitar work. Often hailed as a national treasure in Canada and lauded by figures like Bob Dylan, Lightfoot’s music transcended borders, particularly in the United States where folk music enjoyed immense popularity. His ability to weave narratives into song is exemplified by “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” a track that deviates from typical song structures by forgoing a traditional chorus and bridge, opting instead for a verse-driven narrative that mirrors the unfolding tragedy.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald itself was a behemoth of the Great Lakes. Launched in 1957, this 729-foot freighter was the largest vessel navigating these waters at the time, named after the president of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, the ship’s owner. On November 9, 1975, the Fitzgerald embarked on what would become its final voyage from Superior, Wisconsin, laden with over 6,000 tons of taconite iron ore pellets destined for Zug Island in Detroit. Captain Ernest M. McSorely, a seasoned mariner, and his 29-man crew were accustomed to this route, but this journey would be tragically different.
Initially, the weather forecast seemed benign, predicting a storm to pass south of Lake Superior. However, conditions deteriorated rapidly. As the Fitzgerald sailed into November 10th, the National Weather Service updated its forecast, warning of a severe storm engulfing the entire lake. Captain McSorely adjusted course towards the Canadian shore, but the storm, packing winds of 60 mph and waves reaching 10 feet, soon engulfed the ship. Adding to the peril, heavy snow began to fall around 3 PM, further reducing visibility and exacerbating the already treacherous conditions. Around 3:45 PM, Captain McSorely contacted the nearby SS Arthur M. Anderson, reporting that the Fitzgerald was listing slightly and requesting the Anderson to maintain proximity.
Hours later, at approximately 7:00 PM, the Anderson attempted to contact the Fitzgerald. Captain McSorely’s last recorded words were a stoic, “We’re holding our own.” This would be the final communication. When subsequent attempts to reach the Fitzgerald failed, the Anderson alerted the Coast Guard. Arriving at Whitefish Bay, the Anderson was tasked with retracing its route to search for the missing freighter. Despite facing daunting weather, the Anderson and other vessels scoured the lake, but only debris – a shattered lifeboat and fragments of the ship – were found. The Edmund Fitzgerald had vanished beneath the waves.
The mystery surrounding the Fitzgerald’s sinking persists to this day. Despite extensive investigations, no definitive cause has been established. Numerous theories abound, ranging from rogue waves to structural failure, but the exact sequence of events remains shrouded in the depths of Lake Superior. The wreck itself was located in 1976, resting 530 feet below the surface, a mere 17 miles from Whitefish Point, broken into two massive pieces.
Gordon Lightfoot’s inspiration to pen “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” stemmed from a news report he read in Newsweek magazine. Ironically, the magazine misspelled the ship’s name as “Edmond Fitzgerald,” a detail that Lightfoot noted sparked his determination to delve deeper into the story. He felt the initial news coverage was insufficient, failing to capture the magnitude of the tragedy. Lightfoot meticulously researched the event, poring over newspaper archives to chronologically piece together the events leading to the sinking. Musically, the melody was inspired by an old Irish dirge he had heard in childhood, lending a somber and timeless quality to the song.
While rooted in fact, Lightfoot took minor artistic liberties in the song for rhythmic and poetic effect. For instance, the lyric “they left fully loaded for Cleveland” is not entirely accurate, as the Fitzgerald was bound for Detroit. This slight deviation served the rhyme scheme and flow of the narrative. Lightfoot also humanized the tragedy by including the ship’s cook in the lyrics, adding a poignant touch to the unfolding disaster: “When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin’, ‘Fellas, it’s too rough to feed ya’. At seven PM, a main hatchway caved in, he said ‘Fellas, it’s been good to know ya.'”
In 2010, a Canadian documentary, The Dive Detectives, presented evidence suggesting that the sinking was not due to crew error, potentially exonerating the crew from any blame related to hatch security. Lightfoot publicly acknowledged this, expressing gratitude that the documentary offered vindication for the crew and their families.
The legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald endures. In 1995, the ship’s bell was recovered and restored, becoming a central exhibit at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point. A replacement bell, engraved with the names of the 29 lost crew members, was placed at the wreck site. Annually, on November 10th, memorials are held throughout the Great Lakes region to remember the tragedy and honor those lost. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, the song, while nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year, ultimately lost to Barry Manilow’s “I Write the Songs”. Despite this, Lightfoot’s ballad has become the definitive cultural touchstone for the Edmund Fitzgerald, ensuring that the story of the ship and its crew continues to resonate with each new generation that hears the haunting tale of the “song edmund fitzgerald.”
