The Great Lakes in general and Lake superior specifically, has spawned many mysteries and intrigue. The anniversary of the sinking of the largest iron ore freighter to work the Great Lakes shipping routes. It started it’s career on June 8th 1958 with many of the original crew on board at it’s demise in 1975.
The cause of the sudden quick loss of the large ship still is froth with mystery, but one theory after studying weather maps and satellite imaging from the time , date and location revealed two storm systems, one from the east coast and the other from Canada, converging in Lake Superior, near Whitefish Point as the Edmond Fitzgerald attempted to cross White Fish Bay, in sight of land. The crew and the ship were lost. Below is a fictitious account from the Ship’s cat, Jenny.
I am Jenny the ships cat and mascot of the Edmond Fitzgerald, the largest and fastest carrier on the Great Lakes. One of my duties, to keep the crew’s morale up while hunting for mice stowaways. Coming awake from my afternoon nap, I started my evening patrol. In the hull with a fat mouse in my teeth, I climbed the steps to the main living quarters, where my kittens were secure safe, behind the large cook stove. The two kittens, named biscuit and gravy, named for their coloring. One, sported several shades of browns. The other was a off white with specks of brown through out her fur. I fed and cleaned the kittens. Full of milk, they were soon asleep. Time for my shift.
First, I checked the bridge to find the captain busy reading charts and checking the radar. I rubbed against his ankle, he smiled as he scratched under my chin before returning to his work.
Other crew were taking readings of various pieces of equipment and were too busy for me.
I decided to go topside to assess the conditions. Snow and icy spray covered the deck. On the port side, the Whitefish Light house could be dimly seen through the gusting wind and pelting hail. I glanced to my left to see a large wave hurdling towards my ship.
Turning to retrieve my kittens, I was thrown to the starboard side. I noted with growing alarm, the groans and scraping of metal torn by the storm. The ship was breaking apart.
In the frothing waters, I could see an outline of a lifeboat. Though I feared water, I made a quick decision.
With all four claws open, I leaped from the sinking ship for the lifeboat and safety.
The Mighty Fitz
She was a grand lady.
Graceful, largest on the lake.
hatches, loosened in the storm cause water weight to form.
In less than ten minutes,
the Mighty Fitz was no more.
carolaspot@aol.com
Copyright 11/10/25
traveling up and down the blind highway 