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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Today in History: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
2008-11-10
7:10 PM - Radio transmission between the Anderson and the Fitzgerald. The Fitzgerald is still being followed by the Arthur M. Anderson. They are about 10 miles behind the Fitzgerald.

Anderson: "Fitzgerald, this is the Anderson. Have you checked down?"

Fitzgerald: "Yes we have."

Anderson: "Fitzgerald, we are about 10 miles behind you, and gaining about 1 1/2 miles per hour. Fitzgerald, there is a target 19 miles ahead of us. So the target would be 9 miles on ahead of you."

Fitzgerald: "Well, am I going to clear?"

Anderson: "Yes. He is going to pass to the west of you."

Fitzgerald: "Well, fine."

Anderson: "By the way, Fitzgerald, how are you making out with your problem?"

Fitzgerald: "We are holding our own."

Anderson: "Okay, fine. I'll be talking to you later."

They never did speak later...The 29 men onboard the Fitzgerald will never again speak with anyone outside of the ship.
Posted by:Mike

#3  As someone who went to sea, that song always made me feel uneasy. The book "The Perfect Storm" was absolutely frightening. What they've found out through satellite analysis about "killer" hundred-foot waves in the North Atlantic is that they not only exist, there are a lot more of them than anyone ever thought there would be.

All those "old sea stories" talking about huge waves were considered bogus for a long time. Turns out a lot of them were quite probably true.
The 79-foot Andrea Gail probably got pitchpoled by a 100+ foot wave. Ships don't recover from that.
Posted by: Jolutch Mussolini7800   2008-11-10 22:45  

#2  In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.

From Gordon Lightfoot's song about the Edmund Fitzgerald
Posted by: JohnQC   2008-11-10 16:21  

#1  R.I.P., Allen G. Kalmon, Second Cook.
Posted by: Grenter, Protector of the Geats   2008-11-10 08:59  

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