Edmund Fitzgerald - Gitche Gumee

Date 9-28-05

September 30, 2005

REMEMBERING THE EDMUND FITZGERALD

On Saturday November 12, 2005, from 12:00 to 4:30 pm, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum will be hosting a very special open house to remember the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald. Sessions will focus on the fact that the vessel was constructed at the Great Lakes Engineering Works on the Detroit River and provided raw materials for local steel companies. Along with workers from the Great Lakes Engineering Works, family members from the last crew of the Fitzgerald will be on hand to talk to the public and share their memories and memorabilia. In addition the public can tour the pilothouse from the S. S. William Clay Ford and meet her Captain Donald Erickson who participated in the search for the Fitzgerald on the night of November 10, 1975. This special open house comes with the cooperation of the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, the Great Lakes Steel Boat Club, the River Rouge Historical Museum, the J. W. Westcott Company, Mariner's Church, the U.S. Steel Company, and other individuals. Numerous stations will be established in the Dossin Museum to allow the public to see historical memorabilia and talk to those who have a 'Connection to the Edmund Fitzgerald'. There will be a number of video presentations on the large screen in the DeRoy Hall Auditorium showing the launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and other aspects of the vessel's career, including the tragic loss on November 10, 1975. The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is located at 100 Strand Drive on Belle Isle, Detroit. Admission - $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for students and seniors. The various sessions will be free with paid admission to the Dossin Museum. Additional information on the Fitzgerald can be found on the website www.glmi.org., or by calling 313-297-8366.

Taconite

At the time of her launch, the Fitzgerald was the largest carrier on the Great Lakes, and remained so until 1971. She weighed 13,632 tons and measured 729 feet long by 75 feet wide. Fully loaded, the Fitzgerald was capable of carrying 27,500 tons, powered by a 7,500 horsepower steam turbine engine that could move her along at up to 20 mph.

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