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charlene · 09-04-2015, 05:12 PM

Page 3 of 4 - They were unsuccessful, with the first sign of the Fitz showing up on Nov. 11 in the form of half a rigid lifeboat.

McSorley's last radio transmission to Cooper, at around 7:10 p.m. Nov. 10, was “we are holding our own.” The ship is thought to have sunk minutes later.

The wreckage of the Edmund Fitzgerald was later detected on sonar, but it wasn't until May 1976 that the sunken ship was seen, cracked in the center and lying in water less than a mile across the Canadian border.

All 29 crew members perished, including a cadet from California in his early 20s, who was working on Great Lakes freighters for the experience.

“I study shipwrecks for a living,” Sowden said. “And it is all very interesting until you start to talk about the loss of life.”

THEORIES

In the years since the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, several theories have emerged as to the cause of its sinking. The official Coast Guard theory is that several hatches had not been secured before departure which lead to the ship taking on water. Other, less official theories, suspect alien involvement.

Sowden leans away from both of these.

Other major theories about the ship’s demise include:

- “Brittle steel” theory, contending that the sinking had to do with the Edmund Fitzgerald's non-riveted design
- “Shoal” theory, which notes that damage was actually caused when the ship crossed the Six-Fathom Shoal

- “Three sister's theory,” which contends the Fitzgerald was overwhelmed by the same series of huge waves the Arthur Anderson reported being hit by

- “Push” theory, which suspects that the bow of the Fitz, unlike the Anderson, was inexplicably pushed into the lake by the large waves.

Sowden said the loose hatches were unlikely given that McSorley was a veteran captain who knew he was headed into a storm. As well, she discounts the brittle steel theory, given that a number of similarly designed freighters are still in operation on the Great Lakes.

Sowden believes the wreck could have been caused by a combination of the remaining theories – shoal, three sisters and push.

Due to McSorley's messages throughout the voyage, and the cracked center of the ship, she said it is probable that the Fitzgerald was damaged on the Six-Fathom Shoal. At that point, she believes, the ship began to list and the compromised vessel was “pushed” into the lake when struck by a 40-plus foot wave.

The story captivated those in attendance, including Nancy Hinkel, of Jackson Township. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Hinkel said she has always been intrigued by the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Page 4 of 4 - “It was always a big deal growing up and it was such a tragedy,” Hinkel said. “And I think this presentation was very well organized and she provided a lot of research.”

09-04-2015, 05:12 PM	#2
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: Edmund Fitzgerald Lore Page 3 of 4 - They were unsuccessful, with the first sign of the Fitz showing up on Nov. 11 in the form of half a rigid lifeboat. McSorley's last radio transmission to Cooper, at around 7:10 p.m. Nov. 10, was “we are holding our own.” The ship is thought to have sunk minutes later. The wreckage of the Edmund Fitzgerald was later detected on sonar, but it wasn't until May 1976 that the sunken ship was seen, cracked in the center and lying in water less than a mile across the Canadian border. All 29 crew members perished, including a cadet from California in his early 20s, who was working on Great Lakes freighters for the experience. “I study shipwrecks for a living,” Sowden said. “And it is all very interesting until you start to talk about the loss of life.” THEORIES In the years since the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, several theories have emerged as to the cause of its sinking. The official Coast Guard theory is that several hatches had not been secured before departure which lead to the ship taking on water. Other, less official theories, suspect alien involvement. Sowden leans away from both of these. Other major theories about the ship’s demise include: - “Brittle steel” theory, contending that the sinking had to do with the Edmund Fitzgerald's non-riveted design - “Shoal” theory, which notes that damage was actually caused when the ship crossed the Six-Fathom Shoal - “Three sister's theory,” which contends the Fitzgerald was overwhelmed by the same series of huge waves the Arthur Anderson reported being hit by - “Push” theory, which suspects that the bow of the Fitz, unlike the Anderson, was inexplicably pushed into the lake by the large waves. Sowden said the loose hatches were unlikely given that McSorley was a veteran captain who knew he was headed into a storm. As well, she discounts the brittle steel theory, given that a number of similarly designed freighters are still in operation on the Great Lakes. Sowden believes the wreck could have been caused by a combination of the remaining theories – shoal, three sisters and push. Due to McSorley's messages throughout the voyage, and the cracked center of the ship, she said it is probable that the Fitzgerald was damaged on the Six-Fathom Shoal. At that point, she believes, the ship began to list and the compromised vessel was “pushed” into the lake when struck by a 40-plus foot wave. The story captivated those in attendance, including Nancy Hinkel, of Jackson Township. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Hinkel said she has always been intrigued by the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Page 4 of 4 - “It was always a big deal growing up and it was such a tragedy,” Hinkel said. “And I think this presentation was very well organized and she provided a lot of research.”