The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Great Lakes
explanatory Essay
649 words
The Great Lakes have been home to more than 6,000 shipwrecks on its five major Lakes (Childs, 2011). One of the most popular wrecks was that of the bulk freighter the Edmund Fitzgerald on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. It had transported goods across the Great Lakes for about 17 years before it was overcome by the power of the Lakes. In terms of lifetimes of shipping vessels, The Fitzgerald was still relatively young. “The Fitzgerald, often called the Titanic of the Great Lakes was not only the most famous freshwater shipwreck; it was also the biggest mystery in the Great Lakes history” (Schumacher, 2006). Weather played a key role in the defeat of this ship and the death of all 29 hands on November 10, 1975. “Winter is a time of intense …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the edmund fitzgerald was one of the most popular shipwrecks on the great lakes. weather played a key role in the defeat of this ship and the death of all 29 hands on november 10, 1975.
- Describes the edmund fitzgerald as the largest freighter on the great lakes of its time. the construction of the fitzgerald was finished in 1957 in river rouge, michigan.
- Describes how the fitzgerald was loaded with taconite pellets to transport the goods to steel companies in detroit, michigan. the national weather service issued a gale warning for the area.
- Describes how the fitzgerald lost both of its two radar systems, making it difficult to traverse the waters.
The construction of the Fitzgerald was finished in 1957 in River Rouge, Michigan by Great Lakes Engineering Works. This venture set the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company; a major investor in the iron and minerals industries back about $8.4 million (Schumacher, 2006). The Edmund Fitzgerald took its first voyage on September 24, 1958; named appropriately after the president of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Edmund Fitzgerald (McCall). It was his initiative to build the largest ship in the Great Lakes, so he …show more content…
On its voyage the Fitzgerald skippered by Captain McSorley, was closely followed by Captain Cooper of the S.S. Arthur M. Anderson which was another cargo carrying ship. Captain McSorley radioed Captain Cooper saying “Anderson, this is the Fitzgerald. I have sustained some topside damage. I have a fence rail laid down, two vents lost or damaged, and a list. I'm checking down. Will you stay by me till I get to Whitefish?" (McCall). The storm had begun to do damage to the Fitzgerald and things were starting to go south hastily. For being the most technologically advanced ship of its day the Fitzgerald managed to lose both of its two radar systems, making it difficult to traverse the waters. Radar allowed the ship to find shallow spots in the water and any other obstacles they may have needed to try to
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- The Edmund Fitzgeraldexplanatory essayThe Edmund Fitzgerald Since commercial shipping began on the five Great Lakes, there have Been six thousand shipwrecks. Half have never been found. There are three storms The sailors still talk about: The great storm of 1913 claimed 250 lives and 12 ships. The storm of 1940 claimed 100 lives and two ships.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the radar signal was lost again at 7:15pm, but this time it did not reappear.
- Explains that the s.s. edmund fitzgerald was conceived as a business enterprise of the northern mutual insurance company of milwaukee, wisconsin.
- Describes how the fitzgerald was to transport a load of taconite from superior, wisconsin, to zug island, detroit, michigan.
- Describes how mcsorley was checking down his speed to the anderson to close the distance for safety.
- Narrates how captain cooper radioed the coast guard for a second time and expressed his concern for the welfare of the edmund fitzgerald. the anderson was the primary vessel in the search.
- Explains that the fitzgerald's bell is a fitting symbol to honor the 29 crew members who lost their lives.
1669 wordsRead More - History Of The Edmund Fitzgeraldnarrative essayThe Edmund Fitzgerald was one of the most famous ships that ever sailed lake Superior. The Fitzgerald was one of the fastest ships that sailed Superior, she often broke her own records and set new ones.The Fitzgerald was the largest freshwater ship in history and was just 140 feet shorter than the Titanic. The Fitzgerald or Fitz ( thats was what the crew called her) was built in 1958. She was put in the water on June 8th 1958. In his book Andrew Kantar says “The Edmund Fitzgerald was named after the wife of the president of the NMI (Northwestern Mutual Insurance). (5). The fitz was the pride of America of the american side (Gordon Lightfoot). The Fitzgerald had a good crew that was with her from 17 years. The crew called the Fitzgerald they’re lives. For the crew there were Captain Ernest Mcsorley, John, James, Michael, George, Edward, Thomas, Russell, Oliver, Frederick, Thomas B, Thomas D, Nolan, Ransom, Bruce, Allen, Gordon, Joseph, Eugene, Karl, John P, Robert, Paul, John S, William, Mark, Ralph, David, Blaine made up the crew.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the fitzgerald was the largest freshwater ship in history and was 140 feet shorter than the titanic. the fitzgerald had a good crew that was with her from 17 years.
- Narrates how the fitz was loaded with 26,000 tons of taconite pellets. the captain didn't know there was a storm coming from wisconsin up to canada with hurricane speed winds.
- Narrates how the anderson contacted the fitzgerald to see how she was doing due to the visibility. the fitzgerald and anderson agreed to change course so that they weren't hitting such big waves.
- Narrates how the anderson lost the fitzgerald on radar. the coast guard found a 25 men raft from the edmund fitzgerald.
- Explains that the coast guard had divers explore the wreckage of the edmund fitzgerald and see if they can find any bodies. the stern was upside down with the propeller facing the surface.
1016 wordsRead More - The ship, weighing at 13,632 lbs sank in Lake Superior, taking the lives of 29 men. This was the worst shipping tragedy in eleven years. The song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot is a tribute to those who died on the terrible day in November.
In this essay, the author
- Recounts how edmund fitzgerald was about to make its trip to detroit mi with only one mission at hand: to deliver ore. but the members of the ship had gotten much more than what they had bargained for.
- Opines that gordon lightfoot's song "the wreck of the edmund fitzgerald" is a tribute to those who died on the terrible day in november.
- Describes edmund fitzgerald as the pride of america's side. it was the first ship on the great lakes to carry over a million tons of ore through the soo locks.
- Explains that a storm was brewing on november 8 in the plains and went on northward towards the great lakes. on november 9, the national weather service (nws) warned lake superior.
- Explains that the nws had predicted east to northeasterly winds during the night, shifting to northwest to north by the afternoon of november 10.
- Explains that the nws upgraded the gale warning to a storm warning at 2:00 am november 10. the captain of edmund fitzgerald thought upon the threatening weather and made the decision to change the ship's route.
- Describes how the fitzgerald kept going on its new route. the storm passed over marquette mi and started across lake superior.
- Describes the storm's wrath on the sault ste. marie locks.
- Explains that a shift of winds to the nw was allowing large waves to build. captain mcsorley made radio contact with another ship, the avafor, and reported that the ship was going from side to side.
- Explains that the fitzgerald crew was doomed. the sinking was rapid and it is said that they did not know the seriousness of their condition.
- Explains that the sinking of edmund fitzgerald was a tragedy that no one would forget. the ship was taking on water due to earlier damage from the storm.
721 wordsRead More - The Edmumd Fitzgeraldexplanatory essayDo you know what happened to The Titanic of the Great Lakes? The Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, a wreck that took the lives of all 29 crew members. The iron ore pellets that she (all ships are girls) was carrying were porous, so they absorbed water. The National Weather Service said conditions were good when the Fitz set out on her journey across Superior, but soon a HUGE storm blew up around her. The Fitzgerald was at maximum capacity when 10 foot waves started washing over the deck, and the pellets began to absorb the water. None of the crew knew what the big deal was, since they couldn’t see any water, aside from the seething and swirling Superior. The Fitz was already low on the surface, getting lower as the pellets got heavier with water, and when an 11+ foot wave hit, it`s no great surprise that she was swamped, or she sank.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the titanic of the great lakes sank in lake superior on november 10, 1975, a wreck that took the lives of all 29 crew members.
- Explains that a u.s. navy submarine found the unlucky freighter and took many pictures of it. the cause of the sinking may have been the low-pressure system moving towards the great lakes.
- Explains that the fitz came to rest 530 feet under the surface, broken in two. the wreck has one half right side up, the other half is keel up.
- Explains that the mighty fitz was built by the great lakes engineering works of river rouge, michigan, but that place is now closed.
- Explains that the fitz was launched on june 7th of 1958, and was christened on the seventh of june as well.
- Explains that the fitzgerald didn't send out an s.o.s. or a c.q.d., so it went down in 530 feet of water, only 17 miles from safety in whitefish bay, michigan.
- Explains that the fitz was named after the chairman of the board of northwestern mutual insurance company of milwaukee. the us coast guard made an aerial search but could launch no search and rescue vessels due to the storm.
- Describes the annual ceremony for the lost men on the edmund fitzgerald, which includes prayer, ringing a bell, and tossing of wreaths into the detroit river.
746 wordsRead More - The Life of F. Scott Fitzgeraldanalytical essayFrancis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fitzgerald’s chosen names signify his parents’ pride in his father’s ancestry. His father, Edward, was from Maryland, with a loyalty to the Old South and its morals. Fitzgerald’s mother, Mary McQuillan (also known as Mollie), was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who became wealthy as a wholesale grocer in St. Paul. Both his parents were Catholics.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that francis scott key fitzgerald was born in st. paul, minnesota. his father, edward, was from maryland, with a loyalty to the old south and its morals.
- Narrates how the fitzgerald family moved between st. paul and new york depending on his father's employment, until he was twelve. he neglected his studies for his literary apprenticeship and joined the army.
- Analyzes how f. scott fitzgerald's influences were ambition, literature, princeton, and zelda sayre fitzgerald.
- Analyzes how fitzgerald's novel the great gatsby reflects many events, characters, and some themes of the writer’s real life and relationships.
- Analyzes how the university of south carolina board of trustees has published a biography of f. scott fitzgerald.
729 wordsRead More - Thunder Bay: A Historic Place and Shipwrecksexplanatory essayIn the Thunder Bay area, the collection of shipwrecks reflects the transitions in ship architecture and construction throughout history. From wooden schooners to early steel-hulled steamers, as well as several unusual vessel types. The Great Lakes actually have some of the best shipwreck diving locations in the United States for two primary reasons. The wrecks found here generally maintain their structural integrity longer than salt water ocean wrecks.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the great lakes as the largest freshwater system on earth, known for their vast area covering over 94,000 square miles, and served as highways for migration, trade and travel.
- Explains that the thunder bay area provides quality opportunities for adventure enthusiasts of all ages and skill. the region has a rich history of people, places, events and culture.
- Explains that thunder bay became an integral part of early trade via boats due to its prime location on lake superior.
- Explains that the great lakes have some of the best shipwreck diving locations in the united states for two primary reasons.
- Describes the shipwrecks documented in the thunder bay area: albany, schooner, 2 mast, hull: wood, built: 1857, lost: 1902.
- Describes galena as a steam barge, built in 1857, lost 1872. moses luther was the builder.
- Describes the vessel type: steam barge, hull: wood, built: 1872, lost: 1914, builder: muir, alexander & livingston,
- Explains that viator was built in 1904 and lost in 1935. its length was 231.7, its beam was 33.3, and its loss type was pickled herring.
841 wordsRead More - Rections to the Sinking of the Titanicanalytical essayThe sinking of the Titanic directly contributed to the 1910s' and subsequent years through reforms in ship policies and travel codes. When investigators of the shipwreck found that there were only enough lifeboats for about half of the passengers aboard many reforms were issued. Such as the maintenance of a full-time radio watch on each ship while at sea, and in international ice patrol. The reforms made travel on large sea vessels much safer in the years following the accident.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the unsinkable titanic was one of the most advertised events in the 1910's. it was a national event, affecting american social icons, and reforms made to ships technology and travel codes.
- Analyzes how the death of two admired americans affected the 1910's by turning the sinking of the titanic into a national affair.
- Explains that the sinking of the titanic directly contributed to the 1910s' and subsequent years through reforms in ship policies and travel codes.
- Explains that the sinking of the titanic affected the 1910's in many ways, including the deaths of american icons and the reforms on ship technology and travel codes.
385 wordsRead More - The Titanicanalytical essayTitanic was sighted. This ship, the Rappahannock, had emerged from an ice field and had sustained damage to its rudder. The vessel signaled the Titanic about the ice and the Titanic replied that the message was received (Marcus 127). At 11 p.m. another ice report was received. This one was from the Californian. This liner had passed through the same ice field that the Rappahannock had reported to the Titanic. Like all the other warnings, this warning never reached the bridge though it was known to both of the Titanic's wireless operators (Marcus 128). By the time the bridge realized the ship was about to hit an iceberg, it was too late. Quartermaster Hitchens tried to turn the wheel hard to the starboard. Twenty seconds later, he had an order for full speed astern but the iceberg was too close. The starboard side hit the iceberg, bringing a block of ice onto the deck (Pellegrino 21). After the collision occurred, there was only one thing open for Captain Smith to do. It was almost midnight a...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that captain was going to have to make a choice about who would be the captain.
- Describes the side of the ship on which lord lives on 116 was standing.
- Explains that the crew did not try to go on lifeboats ahead of the panic.
- Opines that we long for a happier era when we felt we knew the answers.
- Argues that the titanic could have been saved if first officer murdoch had steamed right at the iceberg instead of trying to avoid it.
1708 wordsRead More - Dramatic Irony of the Titanicanalytical essayIn late 1908, White Star Line announced its construction of “ the world’s largest passenger steamship upon completion” (The Titanic History). At completion, the ship dubbed the Olympic, but now known as the Titanic, was 883 feet long and 104 feet high. The massive amounts of media surrounding the construction of the ship flamed a spark of excitement in people all of the country. The extensive media coverage continued for three years until the ships completion. Everyone wanted to be the first to travel on such an iconic ship, but only 2200 were able to secure a spot. The Titanic set sail on April 10th, 1912 from the port of South Hampton as its passengers and crew were beaming with excitement for the journey ahead of them. Unf...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that dramatic irony is defined as a situation in which the audience knows information that the characters do not.
- Opines that titanic's success is due to the re-creation of a tragic moment in american history.
- Explains that the titanic was the world's largest passenger steamship, which was 883 feet long and 104 feet high. the ship hit an iceberg on april 14th, 1912, leading to the loss of over 1500 lives.
- Analyzes how the titanic sank years prior to the release of the film in 1997, capturing the audience's affection and attention through the use of dramatic irony.
- Opines that life is a gift and they don't intend on wasting it. they learn to take life as it comes at them to make each day count.
- Analyzes how the characters words were viewed with greater compassion in a scene prior to the ships interference with the iceberg.
- Analyzes how the use of dramatic irony in the film entailed to a heightened awareness of the audience and enabling the establishment of greater connection to the dialogue, the characters, and the story overall.
674 wordsRead More - The Story of the RMS Titanicexplanatory essayThe Titanic, its actual name is the RMS Titanic, it was a British Passenger ship that sank on the 15th of April 1912. The main cause of its sinking was an iceberg that it collided with during its first voyage. It was ferrying passengers from Southampton in the United Kingdom to New York City in the US. Its sinking led to the death of many people. The actual sum is likely to be at about 1500. It is considered the most deadly maritime disaster. The vessel was made by Harland and Wolff shipyard located in Belfast. His naval architect was Thomas Andrews. RMS Titanic was alleged to be the biggest ship at that time. It was among the three Olympic class ocean liners that were operated by White Star Line. On her first trip it was carrying 2,224 passengers not accounting for the crew members.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the titanic as a british passenger ship that sank on the 15th of april 1912. the main cause of its sinking was an iceberg that it collided with during its first voyage.
- Explains that the titanic was nicknamed the "millionaire's special" because it attracted the most wealthy in society. it also contained some of the poorest among them being emigrants from scandinavia, great britain, ireland and other countries in europe.
- Explains that the titanic was divided into classes that discriminated on passengers by the prices they could afford. it had classy facilities like a gymnasium, swimming pool, high end restaurants and lavish cabins.
- Explains that the titanic provided a different state of third class, which was divided into two sections at opposite ends of the vessel.
- Explains that leisure facilities were provided across all classes, enabling passengers to pass time as the journey tended to be too long and passengers could get bored.
- Describes titanic's first-class staircase, known as the grand stairway, covered with a cupola of fashioned iron and glass that allowed light to permeate through it. the landing at the end of each staircase marked the entry into baroque entrance halls
- Explains that the ship was an elegant ship that had improved the quality and standards expected of ships, but its construction was difficult and exposed the people in charge of constructing it to a lot of harm.
- Describes how the titanic was launched in an elaborate ceremony in front of lord pirrie and other invited guests. white star line were particularly proud of themselves for achieving such heights in marine technology.
- Explains that the ship's sea trials began on the 2nd of april 1912, 8 days before it was due to leave for new york.
- Explains that the ship's first voyage was meant to be the first among many that it would make across the atlantic ocean.
- Describes how the ship started its maiden voyage on the 10th of april 1912. the passengers were welcomed by stewards and personally shown to their cabins.
- Narrates how the titanic almost collided with the moored liners of ss city new york and oceanic. the tugboat vulcan saved the situation by bringing the ship into tow.
- Explains that the titanic set off to the english channel and headed for cherbourg, france, where it had to use tenders to transport passengers.
- Explains that the titanic arrived in queenstown, ireland the next day at 11 am. the weather conditions, windy and cold, did not affect its voyage.
- Explains that the titanic crossed a cold weather front on the 14th of april. they didn't feel the need to stop or be more careful instead they proceeded forward at full speed.
- Describes how frederick fleet, the lookout, spotted an iceberg ahead of the titanic and informed the bridge about it.
- Cites aldridge, rebecca, bartlett, w. b., and ruffman, alan. the sinking of the titanic.
1988 wordsRead More