The Gales of November

1. The Great Lakes: A Unique and Treacherous Inland Sea

“The Great Lakes can be more treacherous than the oceans.”

Unpredictable Nature. The Great Lakes, despite their name, behave more like seas, capable of generating immense, rapidly forming waves. Unlike the smoother, widely spaced swells of oceans, freshwater waves are sharper, closer together, and can rise steeply, creating a "jagged mountain" effect that can severely stress long ships. This unique wave structure, combined with volatile weather, makes them exceptionally dangerous.

Extreme Conditions. The lakes experience some of the world's most erratic weather, especially in November, when strong winds, massive waves, sleet, snow, and hail are common. These conditions lead to phenomena like "hogging" and "sagging," where a ship's midsection is left unsupported between waves, and rapid ice accumulation can add hundreds of tons of weight, compromising stability and steering.

Navigational Challenges. Great Lakes captains face constant challenges beyond open water, including rocky shores, narrow canals, treacherous shoals, and heavy traffic. Unlike ocean captains who often rely on local pilots in port, laker captains must navigate complex currents and tight passages themselves, often in poor visibility, making local knowledge and quick decisions paramount.

2. America's Industrial Heartbeat: The Great Lakes' Economic Power

“The vast scale of the Great Lakes’ natural resources gave the United States an almost insurmountable advantage, and contributed to the mindboggling size of everything involved in Great Lakes shipping at its peak.”

Resource Abundance. The Great Lakes region was a powerhouse of natural resources, including lumber, grain, limestone, copper, and vast iron ore deposits. This abundance, coupled with the efficient water transport system connecting to major rivers and distant markets, fueled America's industrial growth for centuries.

Post-War Boom. After World War II, the Great Lakes region became the "Workshop of the World." Factories, retooled from wartime production, churned out cars, appliances, and construction materials. Cities like Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland boomed, creating immense demand for raw materials, particularly iron ore and later taconite.

Taconite Innovation. The discovery and processing of taconite, a low-grade iron ore, by Professor Edward W. Davis, revolutionized the steel industry. Taconite pellets were easier to load, unload, and smelt, effectively creating a new, abundant supply of iron. This innovation, combined with cheap shipping, underpinned the "American Century" and the prosperity of the Great Lakes states.

3. Laker Design: A Compromise Between Cargo and Safety

“What these new ships were decidedly not designed to maximize was stability in heavy storms.”

Cargo Maximization. Great Lakes freighters, or "lakers," were designed to carry enormous amounts of cargo and fit through the narrow Soo Locks. This led to a distinctive design:

• Extremely long (up to 729 feet for the Fitzgerald)
• Narrow (75 feet wide)
• Shallow draft (low in the water when loaded)
• Flat bottoms with internal keels

Inherent Instability. While efficient for cargo, this design made lakers inherently less stable in rough waters compared to wider, deeper ocean-going "salties." Their long, thin hulls were vulnerable to cracking when caught between large waves (sagging) and prone to rolling violently from side to side.

Construction Innovations. The Fitzgerald itself was a pioneer, using modular construction and welding instead of traditional riveting. While these methods saved weight and cost, they also made the hull more flexible. Crew members observed the ship visibly flexing in even moderate waves, raising concerns about its structural integrity under extreme stress.

4. Echoes of Disaster: Lessons Unheeded from Previous Wrecks

“They say history is written by the victors. On the Great Lakes, it’s written by the survivors.”

The 1913 "White Hurricane." This catastrophic storm, which sank 19 ships and killed 254 people, highlighted the inadequacy of early weather forecasting and the dangers of captains dismissing warnings. Despite its severity, many lessons about ship design and safety protocols were forgotten over time, replaced by complacency.

Carl D. Bradley (1958). Just months after the Fitzgerald's launch, the SS Carl D. Bradley broke in half and sank in Lake Michigan, killing 33 of 35 crewmen. Survivors reported the ship breaking apart, a claim initially denied by the owning company. This tragedy underscored the vulnerability of long, older lakers to structural failure in storms.

Daniel J. Morrell (1966). The SS Daniel J. Morrell also broke in two and sank in Lake Huron, with only one survivor after 38 hours in a raft. This wreck emphasized the need for better ship inspections and tracking systems, as the ship's distress went unnoticed for over a day. However, many reforms, like regular position calls, eventually faded.

5. The Edmund Fitzgerald: Pride, Performance, and Hidden Vulnerabilities

“She was simply the best—and that’s before anything happened.”

A Dream Ship. Commissioned by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, the Fitzgerald was designed to be the ultimate Great Lakes freighter. It was the largest, fastest, and most luxurious laker, boasting:

• Record-breaking cargo capacity (26,112 long tons on its last trip)
• Top-tier navigational equipment
• Plush living quarters, air-conditioning, and TVs
• A celebrated galley with gourmet meals

Competitive Edge. The Fitzgerald consistently broke shipping records, earning it the nickname "the Toledo Express." Its success was a point of immense pride for its owners, operators, and crew, who were considered elite. This competitive drive, however, often meant pushing the ship to its limits, especially in challenging weather.

Plimsoll Line Compromises. Over the years, regulatory bodies repeatedly lowered the required freeboard for Great Lakes ships, including the Fitzgerald. This allowed vessels to carry thousands of additional tons of cargo, boosting profits but also reducing the ship's margin of safety. Despite these relaxed rules, crews often still "cheated" the Plimsoll line for even more cargo, a practice that increased risk.

6. Captain McSorley: A Master Mariner's Fateful Decisions

“McSorley was the best ship man I’ve ever seen. He was the best on the Great Lakes, that’s for sure—and everyone knew it.”

A Legendary Captain. Ernest McSorley, a veteran of 45 years at sea, was widely regarded as the finest captain on the Great Lakes. Known for his exceptional piloting skills, calm demeanor under pressure, and ability to deliver cargo faster than his peers, he commanded immense loyalty from his crew.

Aggressive Instincts. McSorley had a reputation for pushing his ships, often taking the most direct routes and maintaining high speeds, even in challenging weather. His competitive spirit was evident in his desire to "Beat the Victory" in races to the Soo Locks, reflecting the industry's emphasis on speed and efficiency.

Uncharacteristic Caution. On the Fitzgerald's final voyage, McSorley made several uncharacteristic decisions:

• Initially opting for the longer, northern route to avoid the worst of the storm.
• Later slowing down to allow the Anderson to catch up after reporting damage.
  These shifts suggest a captain grappling with unprecedented conditions and the conflicting pressures of his career and the safety of his crew.

7. The Last Voyage: A Perfect Storm of Circumstances

“When the storm was at its worst, the Edmund Fitzgerald got to the worst possible place, at the worst possible time.”

Escalating Weather. The Fitzgerald's final trip coincided with a "storm of the century," formed by the collision of a warm low-pressure system from the southwest and a cold Alberta Clipper. Forecasts consistently underestimated the storm's severity, which intensified rapidly and unexpectedly hugged Lake Superior's southern shore, directly in the Fitzgerald's path.

Navigational Hazards. The ship encountered a series of critical challenges:

• Six Fathom Shoal: The Fitzgerald likely passed dangerously close to, or even over, this shallow area, potentially damaging its hull.
• Caribou Island: Navigating around this tiny island and its shoals required precision, which was compromised by poor visibility and outdated charts.
• Loss of Radar/Beacons: Both of the Fitzgerald's radars failed, and shore-based lighthouses and radio beacons were knocked out, leaving McSorley sailing blind.

Compounding Problems. McSorley reported "topside damage," including a broken fence rail, damaged ballast tank vents, and a "bad list" (tilt). These issues, combined with the relentless 25-foot-plus waves (and rogue waves potentially reaching 50-60 feet), meant the ship was taking on water, becoming harder to steer, and increasingly vulnerable to the lake's fury.

8. The Unwritten Code of the Lakes: Sacrifice and Solidarity

“We have to go out, but we don’t have to come back.”

Mutual Aid. The Great Lakes sailing community operates under a powerful, unwritten code of mutual assistance. When the Fitzgerald went missing, Captain Cooper of the Arthur M. Anderson, despite having just reached the relative safety of Whitefish Bay after battling the same storm, immediately turned his ship back into the tempest to search.

Heroic Response. Cooper's decision, though made with reluctance due to the extreme danger, was echoed by other ships in the bay, including the William Clay Ford, and several Canadian vessels. These crews knowingly risked their own lives and ships to search for survivors, driven by the understanding that "they would have done it for us."

Coast Guard's Role. The U.S. Coast Guard, though initially slow to grasp the severity of the situation, eventually mobilized search and rescue efforts. The crew of the USCG Woodrush, recalled from shore leave, faced the same perilous conditions, operating under the stark command: "We have to go out, but we don't have to come back."

9. An Enduring Mystery: The Search for Answers and Peace

“Only thirty know what happened: twenty-nine men, and God.”

Unanswered Questions. Despite extensive investigations by the USCG and NTSB, the exact cause of the Fitzgerald's sinking remains a mystery. No distress call was made, and no survivors were found, leaving investigators to piece together clues from debris and sonar data.

Leading Theories. Several theories attempt to explain the disaster:

• Hatch Failure: Improperly secured or damaged cargo hatches allowing massive water ingress.
• Structural Failure: The ship's design, modular construction, and welding leading to a hull crack under extreme stress.
• Six Fathom Shoal Impact: The ship bottoming out on the shallow shoal, causing critical damage to the hull.
• Rogue Waves: A series of exceptionally large waves overwhelming the already compromised vessel.

The Families' Quest. For the families of the lost crewmen, the lack of definitive answers has been a source of enduring pain. They channeled their grief into advocacy, working to:

• Retrieve the ship's bell as a memorial.
• Have the wreck declared a protected gravesite.
• Prevent unauthorized exploration of the site.

10. A Legacy of Safety: Reforms Born from Tragedy

“As hard it was to lose twenty-nine men, think how many lives have been saved since.”

Catalyst for Change. The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, due to its scale and the mystery surrounding it, served as a profound wake-up call for the Great Lakes shipping industry. It spurred significant and lasting safety reforms that had been resisted after previous tragedies.

Technological Advancements. The disaster led to major improvements in:

• Weather Forecasting: Enhanced radars, satellites, and computer models provide real-time, accurate weather data to captains.
• Communication Systems: Better communication between ships and shore, ensuring timely alerts and information sharing.
• Shipboard Equipment: Installation of more reliable electronic components and navigational aids.

Culture Shift. Perhaps the most crucial change was a shift in mentality. Corporate avarice and the "macho" culture of pushing through storms gave way to a more cautious approach. Captains now prioritize safety, readily seeking shelter when severe weather is forecast, rather than risking lives and valuable cargo.

Unprecedented Safety Record. In the half-century since the Fitzgerald sank, not a single commercial ship has been lost on the Great Lakes. This remarkable safety record stands as a testament to the reforms enacted, ensuring that the sacrifices of the Fitzgerald's crew were not in vain.

Last updated: December 9, 2025