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TV 17.org - Radar and Fitz Location | ||||||||
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Edmund Fitzgerald |
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Date 12-16-05
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The position of Fitzgerald relative to that of Anderson cannot be reconstructed. Information available is based on the recollection of the Master and Watch Officers on Anderson, since the relative position of Fitzgerald was observed intermittently on the radar, but not positions reports by officers of Anderson were not sufficiently accurate to allow the trackline of either Fitzgerald or Anderson to be reconstructed.
At 1350, the ANDERSON changed course to 230 degrees T to allow more sea room west of Michipicoten Island because the wind was predicted to haul to the northwest. At this time, the FITZGERALD was 2 1/2 to 3 miles southwest of Michipicoten Island, and she advised the ANDERSON that she would "continue on" although she was "rolling some." The FITZGERALD continued southeastward toward Whitefish Point on a course of 1410 T while the ANDERSON proceeded southwestward to about 11 miles west of Michipicoten Island and changed course to 130 degrees T at 1445. At this time, the FITZGERALD was observed to be about 16 miles ahead, a position 9 miles south of Michipicoten Island. At 1520, the ANDERSON changed course to 125 degreees T at a position 7.7 miles southwest of Michipicoten Island. The FITZGERALD was 16 miles ahead and slightly to the right of the ANDERSON’s trackline. About 1530, the FITZGERALD, then in a position northeast of Caribou Island, called the ANDERSON and reported, "I have a fence rail down, have lost a couple of vents, and have a list." The FITZGERALD further advised that she would ‘‘check-down’’ to allow the ANDERSON to close the distance between the vessels. The ANDERSON asked the FITZGERALD if the pumps were going and the reply was, "Yes, both of them."About 1610, the FITZGERALD advised the ANDERSON that both her radars were inoperative and asked that the ANDERSON keep track of the FITZGERALD and provide navigational assistance. At 1634, the ANDERSON changed course to 141 degrees T in a position 7.5 miles, 035 degrees T from the north end of Caribou Island and observed the FITZGERALD 14 to 15 miles ahead and slightly to the right of the ANDERSON’s heading flasher. At 1728, the ANDERSON fixed her position 10.5 miles east of Caribou Light, determined that the FITZGERALD was 15 miles ahead and slightly left (east) of the ANDERSON’s heading flasher, and advised the FITZGERALD that Whitefish Point was 35 miles from the FITZGERALD on a bearing of 144 degrees T. The FITZGERALD replied that she "wanted to be 2 1/2 miles off Whitefish Point," and appeared to be steering for that position. |
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