Growing up, we've all heard the song, and it's even more pognant when walking along the shore of Whitefish Point. Even on a calm day, the waves are crashing, and Lake Superior asserts its power!
The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, a 728-foot freighter, sunk 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point during a storm on Nov. 10, 1975, causing the entire crew of 29 men to perish. She was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there.
You are looking for a memorial along the shores of Lake Superior.
I have visited its anchor on Belle Isle at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and stood on the steps of Mariner's Church in Detroit. Here at Whitefish Point, you can visit (though not required for this virtual but highly encouraged) the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which houses the Fitzgerald's recovered bell, life preserver and story. There is an annual event on the Fitzgerald's anniversary November 10th in the museum where they ring the bell 30 times - 1 for each life lost and 1 to remember all lives lost to Lake Superior.
LOGGING REQUIREMENT - CHOOSE ONE
Post a photo of yourself (or a personal item) with the memorial CLEARLY visible in the background.
or
Email or message me the answer these questions:
- How many bells are on the memorial?
- Name of the artist
- What is engraved on the backside of the memorial? (3 words on small maple leaf)
- From the sign nearby: Name the two ships wrecked in November and the years they were lost.
Logs without a valid picture uploaded or answers received within 1 week of posting will be deleted. Visit to the Memorial must have occurred on or after the date of Virtual publication.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.