SS Edmund FitzgeraldSS Edmund Fitzgerald at a Glance
About SS Edmund Fitzgerald
SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes ore carrier that sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. The loss of the ship and her 29-member crew is one of the most famous maritime disasters on the Great Lakes.
The wreck lies on the lake bed and is visited by divers and researchers; it also features in maritime exhibitions and memorials, including tributes at Whitefish Point. The ship’s loss has been the subject of investigations and public interest in Great Lakes shipping safety.
The Edmund Fitzgerald capsized and sank during a violent storm on Lake Superior in November 1975. Subsequent inquiries examined weather conditions, ship loading and structural factors but the precise sequence of events remains a focus of study.
The wreck site is in Lake Superior; coordinates recorded for the wreck place it in the eastern basin of the lake.
- Sinking date and casualties: The freighter sank on November 10, 1975 during a severe Lake Superior storm and all 29 crew members were lost.
Best Time to Visit SS Edmund Fitzgerald
The wreck is offshore on Lake Superior; access depends entirely on private boat charters and weather windows.
Weather & Climate near SS Edmund Fitzgerald
SS Edmund Fitzgerald's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (930 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -11° - -2° | -13° | 82 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -11° - -2° | -13° | 55 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -8° - 1° | -9° | 52 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -2° - 7° | -1° | 51 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 2° - 12° | 4° | 69 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Good | 5° - 16° | 10° | 84 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 10° - 21° | 15° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 3.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 93 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 6° | -2° | 84 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -6° - 1° | -8° | 88 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to SS Edmund Fitzgerald
The wreck lies offshore in Lake Superior and is visited conceptually at maritime museums and memorials along the Great Lakes. Any on-water expedition requires a licensed operator familiar with Superior’s unpredictable weather; the nearest organized memorial sites are on the U.S. side (e.g., Whitefish Point).
Tips for Visiting SS Edmund Fitzgerald
- The wreck lies in deep, cold water - recreational diving is not typical; most visitors learn about the Edmund Fitzgerald at museums (e.g., Great Lakes museums) rather than at the wreck itself.
- If wanting to visit sites tied to the ship's memory, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point (Michigan, USA) is a recommended starting point.