Take a moment to pause and remember the 29 who died on the Big Fitz.
The Big Fitz was making a run from Wisconsin towards Detroit carrying a 26,000 ton load of taconite when it run into a storm on Lake Superior. Winds and waves were reported at gusts of 100 mph and 35 feet high.
The ship went down about 15 miles from safety and rests on the bottom of Superior in two sections over 500 feet down.
No remains of the crew were ever recovered.
Last Name First Position Age Hometown
Armagost Michael E. Third Mate 37 Iron River, Wisconsin
Beetcher Fred J. Porter 56 Superior, Wisconsin
Bentsen Thomas D. Oiler 23 St. Joseph, Michigan
Bindon Edward F. 1st Ass Eng 47 Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Borgeson Thomas D. Maint Man 41 Duluth, Minnesota
Champeau Oliver J. 3rd Ass Eng 41 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Church Nolan S. Porter 55 Silver Bay, Minnesota
Cundy Ransom E. Watchman 53 Superior, Wisconsin
Edwards Thomas E. 2nd Ass Eng 50 Oregon, Ohio
Haskell Russell G. 2nd Ass Eng 40 Millbury, Ohio
Holl George J. Chief Engineer 60 Cabot, Pennsylvania
Hudson Bruce L. Deck Hand 22 North Olmsted, Ohio
Kalmon Allen G. Second Cook 43 Washburn, Wisconsin
MacLellan Gordon F. Wiper 30 Clearwater, Florida
Mazes Joseph W. Spec Maint Man 59 Ashland, Wisconsin
McCarthy John H. First Mate 62 Bay Village, Ohio
McSorley Ernest M. Captain 63 Toledo, Ohio
O'Brien Eugene W. Wheelsman 50 Toledo, Ohio
Peckol Karl A. Watchman 20 Ashtabula, Ohio
Poviach John J. Wheelsman 59 Bradenton, Florida
Pratt James A. Second Mate 44 Lakewood, Ohio
Rafferty Robert C. Steward 62 Toledo, Ohio
Riippa Paul M. Deck Hand 22 Ashtabula, Ohio
Simmons John D. Wheelsman 62 Ashland, Wisconsin
Spengler William J. Watchman 59 Toledo, Ohio
Thomas Mark A. Deck Hand 21 Richmond Heights, Ohio
Walton Ralph G. Oiler 58 Fremont, Ohio
Weiss David E. Cadet 22 Agoura, California
Wilhelm Blaine H. Oiler 52 Moquah, Wisconsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5EfPF2E7mURest in Peace Ship and crew of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, lost, November 10, 1975.