0600, Nov. 10, 1975
The Coast Guard Cutter Mesquite had just moored portside to, City dock, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. With the engine room secured, it was time to head up to the mess deck for breakfast. It had been a long four-week buoy run on the north end of Lake Michigan. It was going to be a typical workday with plans and preparations to get underway at 1900 hours. That evening, (7pm civilian time), heading to Chicago.
As we prepared for the south run, the skipper warned us it was going to be a rough trip heading south. So, we spent a great deal of time securing any loose gear. After years of rough sea experience, you do become wise in the art of securing gear.
The cooks had supper ready a bit early so we could all be fed, cleaned up and ready to get underway. At 1800 hours we began prepping the engine room to depart. At 1845 hours deck force cast off all lines except #2 spring line. The bridge began moving the ship forward as the stern swung out to starboard. Once the proper angle was achieved, the spring line was pulled in and the ship began to move astern. The skipper gave the order to head out lake side. After a few turns of the screw, all stops were signaled.
The bridge had received a call to stand by for a possible search and rescue. It turns out a taconite ore ship by the name of Edmund Fitzgerald. It had disappeared from radar and visual sight on Lake Superior, as reported by the Arthur M. Anderson, another 767-foot taconite ore carrier. Both ships were headed for White Fish Bay with a full load of iron ore, and ultimately for the lower great lakes.
After about a two hour wait, we were instructed to proceed as planned. Head south on Lake Michigan to finish your work, was the order. To assist would have required a 14-hour run north to reach White Fish Bay. There were other vessels much closer that could assist. We headed out to Lake Michigan where we ran into 15-foot waves right out of the break wall. It was a long night and a rough run. At one point off the shore Milwaukee, we were only able to maintain control into the waves but we were actually pushed astern by about 5 miles.
As we worked buoys on the south end of the lake, we received updates on what happened. Information was slow coming because of the duration of the storm. It is believed that a 25-foot wave hit the bow of the limping ship and forced it under. The compartments flooded instantly, and the 767- foot ship hit the bottom bow first with about 200 feet of stern pointing up out of the water. At that spot the lake depth was about 500 feet deep. The stern broke off and sunk. All 29 sailors aboard perished. Even as young as we were sailors, we realized the power of the lakes. The waves on the lakes break, rather than roll like they do on the ocean, which makes them quite deadly. Turns out, Gordon Lightfoot was fairly accurate of his musical assessment of the event. Hearing the song brings back a rush of memories of that day. One I will never forget. Serving in the Coast Guard was a true honor and life changer for me.
This story was also published in the CNCC Waving Hands issue Volume 14, Issue 14, 2022
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By DAVE OLSON
