by Guest » October 18, 2023, 3:04 pm
Guest wrote: ↑October 17, 2023, 1:29 pm
While I can’t answer your question I will comment that the Fitzgerald was the first of its kind in engineering design and construction. My good friend sailed her from initial fitout until the year previous her sinking. He maintained it was a normal action boat until the load line was increased for additional tonnage. Afterwards she became very springy. I posted my experience sailing on her. She had an unusual twist that was a bit concerning. In a heavy sea she would corkscrew far more than any other boat I sailed including 1910-1920 era 600 ftrs. When loaded the stern would drop more than I considered normal in a head or following sea when the tallest wave length passed amidships. J declined a chance to stay aboard permanent as I wasn’t comfortable with the action of the ship. I reported my opinions to CG for the inquiry but they didn’t seem to take it seriously. While I appreciate the continued interest and curiosity into the tragedy 48 yrs later. I would be happy to never see it’s sinking mentioned again. No one will ever know what happened and most of us that were around then in any capacity or connection to the Fitzgerald during its building and career until and including the sinking are either dead or very aged and mostly in declining health. I won’t divulge my identity so please don’t ask. Only say I was a crew member long enough and in a position of “ know.” On the ship. I will be at the mariners church memorial this year. Probably my last. If you MAY think you might identify me please don’t approach me . It’s a sad solemn event for me and I would like to participate without being approached as in past years. Brave mariners died that day. Please let the fitz mystery go and leave if in peace.
As the original poster of this thread, I was actually attempting to learn whether any other ships have been known to have a similar issue and only referenced the Fitzgerald because it is the only ship I have ever heard of to have this purported problem. I'm with you, it is time to put the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking to rest. Sadly, I doubt this will be the case as over the years this sinking has spawned a cottage industry in the Great Lakes region that has produced a number of self-proclaimed experts and even a handful of unscrupulous individuals apparently interested in glorifying the event.
I believe that one of the most appropriate things ever written about the Fitzgerald sinking can be found on the first page of the book "Edmund Fitzgerald 1957-1975" published by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute in 1977, just two years after the sinking. It was apparent even then as to how things were to go.
The following is the short excerpt I'm referring to:
"...to fathom the secret she carried with her to the bottom; why did she sink?
This article will attempt to bring together all that we know about the ship during her lifetime, and since her loss. It will shun any attempt at explaining what may have happened to cause her loss. We have no credentials that qualify us to do so, and we don't wish to be associated with the many others who would do well to recognize the same shortcoming, but, failing to do so, have nevertheless muddied the scene with uninformed "expert" declarations!"
I don't believe truer words have ever been written about the aftermath of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking in the past 46 years.
[quote=Guest post_id=256494 time=1697567363]
While I can’t answer your question I will comment that the Fitzgerald was the first of its kind in engineering design and construction. My good friend sailed her from initial fitout until the year previous her sinking. He maintained it was a normal action boat until the load line was increased for additional tonnage. Afterwards she became very springy. I posted my experience sailing on her. She had an unusual twist that was a bit concerning. In a heavy sea she would corkscrew far more than any other boat I sailed including 1910-1920 era 600 ftrs. When loaded the stern would drop more than I considered normal in a head or following sea when the tallest wave length passed amidships. J declined a chance to stay aboard permanent as I wasn’t comfortable with the action of the ship. I reported my opinions to CG for the inquiry but they didn’t seem to take it seriously. While I appreciate the continued interest and curiosity into the tragedy 48 yrs later. I would be happy to never see it’s sinking mentioned again. No one will ever know what happened and most of us that were around then in any capacity or connection to the Fitzgerald during its building and career until and including the sinking are either dead or very aged and mostly in declining health. I won’t divulge my identity so please don’t ask. Only say I was a crew member long enough and in a position of “ know.” On the ship. I will be at the mariners church memorial this year. Probably my last. If you MAY think you might identify me please don’t approach me . It’s a sad solemn event for me and I would like to participate without being approached as in past years. Brave mariners died that day. Please let the fitz mystery go and leave if in peace.
[/quote]
As the original poster of this thread, I was actually attempting to learn whether any other ships have been known to have a similar issue and only referenced the Fitzgerald because it is the only ship I have ever heard of to have this purported problem. I'm with you, it is time to put the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking to rest. Sadly, I doubt this will be the case as over the years this sinking has spawned a cottage industry in the Great Lakes region that has produced a number of self-proclaimed experts and even a handful of unscrupulous individuals apparently interested in glorifying the event.
I believe that one of the most appropriate things ever written about the Fitzgerald sinking can be found on the first page of the book "Edmund Fitzgerald 1957-1975" published by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute in 1977, just two years after the sinking. It was apparent even then as to how things were to go.
The following is the short excerpt I'm referring to:
"...to fathom the secret she carried with her to the bottom; why did she sink?
This article will attempt to bring together all that we know about the ship during her lifetime, and since her loss. It will shun any attempt at explaining what may have happened to cause her loss. We have no credentials that qualify us to do so, and we don't wish to be associated with the many others who would do well to recognize the same shortcoming, but, failing to do so, have nevertheless muddied the scene with uninformed "expert" declarations!"
I don't believe truer words have ever been written about the aftermath of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking in the past 46 years.