On November 10, 1975, the American freighter Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a severe storm on Lake Superior, killing all 29 crew members. The ship had been carrying iron ore from Wisconsin to Detroit and disappeared suddenly in heavy seas and hurricane-force winds. The tragedy became one of the most famous shipwrecks in Great Lakes history, partly due to Gordon Lightfoot’s later song. Investigations pointed to factors such as structural stress, cargo loading, and storm conditions, though the exact cause remains debated. The U.S. Coast Guard and shipping industry tightened rules on vessel inspections, weather reporting, and safety equipment. The wreck is remembered each year at maritime museums and memorial services.
