John B. Graeber
@jbgraeber.bsky.social
Reader, writer, sailor. #plutotruther. Prob eating tacos in a parking lot.
Me reading this article:
November 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Me reading this article:
Ultimately, what trully happened on the Edmund Fitzgerald shortly after 7pm on Nov 10, 1975 is known only to the sailors who were aboard during her final moments.
November 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Ultimately, what trully happened on the Edmund Fitzgerald shortly after 7pm on Nov 10, 1975 is known only to the sailors who were aboard during her final moments.
Waves continue to pummel the stern, pulverizing the ship’s midsection until the Edmund Fitzgerald is ripped in half.
The stern flips upside down and plunges to the bottom alongside the rest of the ship.
The stern flips upside down and plunges to the bottom alongside the rest of the ship.
November 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Waves continue to pummel the stern, pulverizing the ship’s midsection until the Edmund Fitzgerald is ripped in half.
The stern flips upside down and plunges to the bottom alongside the rest of the ship.
The stern flips upside down and plunges to the bottom alongside the rest of the ship.
NOV 10 / 730pm
The snow squall suddenly ends and skies clear. Visibility is excellent. The crew of the Arthur M. Anderson can see the lights of ships heading north from Sault Ste Marie.
But the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the 29 men aboard her, have vanished.
The snow squall suddenly ends and skies clear. Visibility is excellent. The crew of the Arthur M. Anderson can see the lights of ships heading north from Sault Ste Marie.
But the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the 29 men aboard her, have vanished.
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
NOV 10 / 730pm
The snow squall suddenly ends and skies clear. Visibility is excellent. The crew of the Arthur M. Anderson can see the lights of ships heading north from Sault Ste Marie.
But the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the 29 men aboard her, have vanished.
The snow squall suddenly ends and skies clear. Visibility is excellent. The crew of the Arthur M. Anderson can see the lights of ships heading north from Sault Ste Marie.
But the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the 29 men aboard her, have vanished.
Moments later both ships are engulfed in a snow squall, cutting visibility to zero, and erasing the Edmund Fitzgerald from the Anderson’s radar.
“We are holding our own,” is the last communication ever received from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
“We are holding our own,” is the last communication ever received from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Moments later both ships are engulfed in a snow squall, cutting visibility to zero, and erasing the Edmund Fitzgerald from the Anderson’s radar.
“We are holding our own,” is the last communication ever received from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
“We are holding our own,” is the last communication ever received from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
NOV 10 / 7pm
The Arthur M. Anderson, about 10 miles west of the Fitzgerald, is swamped by two huge waves that crest 35 feet above the water line.
With wind and waves moving west to east, it is only a matter of minutes before they reach the Fitzgerald.
The Arthur M. Anderson, about 10 miles west of the Fitzgerald, is swamped by two huge waves that crest 35 feet above the water line.
With wind and waves moving west to east, it is only a matter of minutes before they reach the Fitzgerald.
November 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
NOV 10 / 7pm
The Arthur M. Anderson, about 10 miles west of the Fitzgerald, is swamped by two huge waves that crest 35 feet above the water line.
With wind and waves moving west to east, it is only a matter of minutes before they reach the Fitzgerald.
The Arthur M. Anderson, about 10 miles west of the Fitzgerald, is swamped by two huge waves that crest 35 feet above the water line.
With wind and waves moving west to east, it is only a matter of minutes before they reach the Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald: (Undistinguishable shouting) “DON’T LET NOBODY ON DECK!”
Avafors: “What’s that Fitzgerald? Unclear. Over.”
Fitzgerald: “I have a bad list, lost both radars. And am taking heavy seas over the deck. One of the worst seas I’ve ever seen.”
Avafors: “What’s that Fitzgerald? Unclear. Over.”
Fitzgerald: “I have a bad list, lost both radars. And am taking heavy seas over the deck. One of the worst seas I’ve ever seen.”
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Fitzgerald: (Undistinguishable shouting) “DON’T LET NOBODY ON DECK!”
Avafors: “What’s that Fitzgerald? Unclear. Over.”
Fitzgerald: “I have a bad list, lost both radars. And am taking heavy seas over the deck. One of the worst seas I’ve ever seen.”
Avafors: “What’s that Fitzgerald? Unclear. Over.”
Fitzgerald: “I have a bad list, lost both radars. And am taking heavy seas over the deck. One of the worst seas I’ve ever seen.”
NOV 10 / 5pm
The Fitzgerald is not receiving the radio beacon from Whitefish Point, she radios every vessel in range for information.
The freighter Avafors responds, informing her the storm has knocked out power to the Point.
The Fitzgerald is not receiving the radio beacon from Whitefish Point, she radios every vessel in range for information.
The freighter Avafors responds, informing her the storm has knocked out power to the Point.
November 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NOV 10 / 5pm
The Fitzgerald is not receiving the radio beacon from Whitefish Point, she radios every vessel in range for information.
The freighter Avafors responds, informing her the storm has knocked out power to the Point.
The Fitzgerald is not receiving the radio beacon from Whitefish Point, she radios every vessel in range for information.
The freighter Avafors responds, informing her the storm has knocked out power to the Point.
Just a few miles east of Caribou Island, and with shoals scattered all around, precise navigation through this part of Lake Superior is critical to avoid disaster.
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Just a few miles east of Caribou Island, and with shoals scattered all around, precise navigation through this part of Lake Superior is critical to avoid disaster.
Anderson: "Charlie on that Fitzgerald. Do you have your pumps going?"
Fitzgerald: "Yes, both of them."
Fitzgerald: "Yes, both of them."
November 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Anderson: "Charlie on that Fitzgerald. Do you have your pumps going?"
Fitzgerald: "Yes, both of them."
Fitzgerald: "Yes, both of them."
BEHIND THE MUSIC
“The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing”
The wind whistling over hundreds of taut wires on storm-bound ships creates a ghostly wail.
Sailors say the sound stays with them for the rest of their lives.
“The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing”
The wind whistling over hundreds of taut wires on storm-bound ships creates a ghostly wail.
Sailors say the sound stays with them for the rest of their lives.
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
BEHIND THE MUSIC
“The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing”
The wind whistling over hundreds of taut wires on storm-bound ships creates a ghostly wail.
Sailors say the sound stays with them for the rest of their lives.
“The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing”
The wind whistling over hundreds of taut wires on storm-bound ships creates a ghostly wail.
Sailors say the sound stays with them for the rest of their lives.
Whitefish Point hooks into Lake Superior from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The hook forms a bay to the east, providing shelter from wind and waves coming out of the northwest.
Whitefish Bay has been the salvation of many ships trying to survive the worst of the lake’s November gales.
The hook forms a bay to the east, providing shelter from wind and waves coming out of the northwest.
Whitefish Bay has been the salvation of many ships trying to survive the worst of the lake’s November gales.
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Whitefish Point hooks into Lake Superior from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The hook forms a bay to the east, providing shelter from wind and waves coming out of the northwest.
Whitefish Bay has been the salvation of many ships trying to survive the worst of the lake’s November gales.
The hook forms a bay to the east, providing shelter from wind and waves coming out of the northwest.
Whitefish Bay has been the salvation of many ships trying to survive the worst of the lake’s November gales.
Acting as a funnel, Lake Superior’s Canadian & American shores taper to a point at the lake’s southeastern end. The northwesterly wind howls over 200 miles of open water, piling water on water as the pinching shoreline pushes the waves higher. The only safety is Whitefish Point.
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Acting as a funnel, Lake Superior’s Canadian & American shores taper to a point at the lake’s southeastern end. The northwesterly wind howls over 200 miles of open water, piling water on water as the pinching shoreline pushes the waves higher. The only safety is Whitefish Point.
Nov 10 / 245pm
THE STORM
Instead of skirting Lake Superior’s southern shore, the storm has moved north across the lake. The winds, predicted to come out of the northeast, have shifted, instead coming across the lake from the northwest.
THE STORM
Instead of skirting Lake Superior’s southern shore, the storm has moved north across the lake. The winds, predicted to come out of the northeast, have shifted, instead coming across the lake from the northwest.
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Nov 10 / 245pm
THE STORM
Instead of skirting Lake Superior’s southern shore, the storm has moved north across the lake. The winds, predicted to come out of the northeast, have shifted, instead coming across the lake from the northwest.
THE STORM
Instead of skirting Lake Superior’s southern shore, the storm has moved north across the lake. The winds, predicted to come out of the northeast, have shifted, instead coming across the lake from the northwest.
NOV 10 / 140pm
Fitzgerald radios Anderson to talk about weather changes and their course southeast. Capt. McSorley reports that the Fitz is “rolling some.”
The Fitzgerald passes close to Michipicoten Island, while the Anderson moves a few miles to the west to deeper water.
Fitzgerald radios Anderson to talk about weather changes and their course southeast. Capt. McSorley reports that the Fitz is “rolling some.”
The Fitzgerald passes close to Michipicoten Island, while the Anderson moves a few miles to the west to deeper water.
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
NOV 10 / 140pm
Fitzgerald radios Anderson to talk about weather changes and their course southeast. Capt. McSorley reports that the Fitz is “rolling some.”
The Fitzgerald passes close to Michipicoten Island, while the Anderson moves a few miles to the west to deeper water.
Fitzgerald radios Anderson to talk about weather changes and their course southeast. Capt. McSorley reports that the Fitz is “rolling some.”
The Fitzgerald passes close to Michipicoten Island, while the Anderson moves a few miles to the west to deeper water.
NOV 10 / 1pm
THE FITZ
The Edmund Fitzgerald and Arthur M. Anderson have reached the Canadian shore, approximately 10-20 miles northwest of Michipicoten Island. They report 23mph winds and 12 foot waves.
THE FITZ
The Edmund Fitzgerald and Arthur M. Anderson have reached the Canadian shore, approximately 10-20 miles northwest of Michipicoten Island. They report 23mph winds and 12 foot waves.
November 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
NOV 10 / 1pm
THE FITZ
The Edmund Fitzgerald and Arthur M. Anderson have reached the Canadian shore, approximately 10-20 miles northwest of Michipicoten Island. They report 23mph winds and 12 foot waves.
THE FITZ
The Edmund Fitzgerald and Arthur M. Anderson have reached the Canadian shore, approximately 10-20 miles northwest of Michipicoten Island. They report 23mph winds and 12 foot waves.
In 1913 a storm battered the Great Lakes from November 9-12.
Dubbed the Freshwater Fury, it was the worst in the recorded history of the Great Lakes. More than 250 people lost their lives, and 19 ships sank. Winds reached 90mph and waves 35 feet high.
Dubbed the Freshwater Fury, it was the worst in the recorded history of the Great Lakes. More than 250 people lost their lives, and 19 ships sank. Winds reached 90mph and waves 35 feet high.
November 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In 1913 a storm battered the Great Lakes from November 9-12.
Dubbed the Freshwater Fury, it was the worst in the recorded history of the Great Lakes. More than 250 people lost their lives, and 19 ships sank. Winds reached 90mph and waves 35 feet high.
Dubbed the Freshwater Fury, it was the worst in the recorded history of the Great Lakes. More than 250 people lost their lives, and 19 ships sank. Winds reached 90mph and waves 35 feet high.
THE STORM
The center of the low pressure system has reached the southern shore of Lake Superior near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Atmospheric pressure is 982mb, approximately the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane.
The center of the low pressure system has reached the southern shore of Lake Superior near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Atmospheric pressure is 982mb, approximately the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane.
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
THE STORM
The center of the low pressure system has reached the southern shore of Lake Superior near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Atmospheric pressure is 982mb, approximately the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane.
The center of the low pressure system has reached the southern shore of Lake Superior near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Atmospheric pressure is 982mb, approximately the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane.
NOV 10 / Morning
THE FITZ
The freighters are approaching the Canadian shore. If the storm slides across the southern end of the lake as forecast, the winds, swirling counter-clockwise around the storm's core, should remain out of the northeast as the two captains push towards Whitefish Bay.
THE FITZ
The freighters are approaching the Canadian shore. If the storm slides across the southern end of the lake as forecast, the winds, swirling counter-clockwise around the storm's core, should remain out of the northeast as the two captains push towards Whitefish Bay.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
NOV 10 / Morning
THE FITZ
The freighters are approaching the Canadian shore. If the storm slides across the southern end of the lake as forecast, the winds, swirling counter-clockwise around the storm's core, should remain out of the northeast as the two captains push towards Whitefish Bay.
THE FITZ
The freighters are approaching the Canadian shore. If the storm slides across the southern end of the lake as forecast, the winds, swirling counter-clockwise around the storm's core, should remain out of the northeast as the two captains push towards Whitefish Bay.
During the night, McSorley and Cooper discussed the worsening storm and decided to alter course northward. Because the storm is forecast to skirt the southern edge of the lake, they anticipate the strongest winds will come from the northeast. The Canadian shore should offer some shelter.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
During the night, McSorley and Cooper discussed the worsening storm and decided to alter course northward. Because the storm is forecast to skirt the southern edge of the lake, they anticipate the strongest winds will come from the northeast. The Canadian shore should offer some shelter.
NOV 10 / 1am
A weather report from the Fitzgerald puts her 20 miles south of Isle Royale. She reports waves 10 feet high.
A weather report from the Fitzgerald puts her 20 miles south of Isle Royale. She reports waves 10 feet high.
November 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
NOV 10 / 1am
A weather report from the Fitzgerald puts her 20 miles south of Isle Royale. She reports waves 10 feet high.
A weather report from the Fitzgerald puts her 20 miles south of Isle Royale. She reports waves 10 feet high.
The vast distances of the lake, and the immense volume of water it holds means the lake can sustain waves of more than 33 feet in intense storms.
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The vast distances of the lake, and the immense volume of water it holds means the lake can sustain waves of more than 33 feet in intense storms.
Superior is 350 miles wide & 150 miles from top to bottom. It is more than 1300 feet deep at its deepest point, and it contains more water than all the other lakes combined. Ships in the middle of the lake are out of sight of land in all directions. It is truly an inland sea.
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Superior is 350 miles wide & 150 miles from top to bottom. It is more than 1300 feet deep at its deepest point, and it contains more water than all the other lakes combined. Ships in the middle of the lake are out of sight of land in all directions. It is truly an inland sea.
NOV 9 / 5pm
THE LAKE
The Edmund Fitzgerald encounters the Arthur M. Anderson and both freighters proceed east across the lake toward the Soo Locks, nearly 400 miles away. The freighters remain in sight of each other, about 15 miles apart.
THE LAKE
The Edmund Fitzgerald encounters the Arthur M. Anderson and both freighters proceed east across the lake toward the Soo Locks, nearly 400 miles away. The freighters remain in sight of each other, about 15 miles apart.
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
NOV 9 / 5pm
THE LAKE
The Edmund Fitzgerald encounters the Arthur M. Anderson and both freighters proceed east across the lake toward the Soo Locks, nearly 400 miles away. The freighters remain in sight of each other, about 15 miles apart.
THE LAKE
The Edmund Fitzgerald encounters the Arthur M. Anderson and both freighters proceed east across the lake toward the Soo Locks, nearly 400 miles away. The freighters remain in sight of each other, about 15 miles apart.
NOV 9 / 4pm
THE STORM
The low pressure system has moved out from the Southern Plains and is over Kansas, creating thunderstorms as it develops. The system's well defined "comma" shape indicates the potential for a powerful storm.
THE STORM
The low pressure system has moved out from the Southern Plains and is over Kansas, creating thunderstorms as it develops. The system's well defined "comma" shape indicates the potential for a powerful storm.
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
NOV 9 / 4pm
THE STORM
The low pressure system has moved out from the Southern Plains and is over Kansas, creating thunderstorms as it develops. The system's well defined "comma" shape indicates the potential for a powerful storm.
THE STORM
The low pressure system has moved out from the Southern Plains and is over Kansas, creating thunderstorms as it develops. The system's well defined "comma" shape indicates the potential for a powerful storm.