Michigan

Edmund Fitzgerald crew remembered, 50 years later

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

MM Team

When the 700-foot SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Lake Superior in 1975, it took the whole 29-man crew with it.

The boys – sons, brothers, fathers, husbands and pals – had been related to dozens of households and various comrades within the delivery and freight industries.

“Everybody who was on the ship had family members at dwelling. When that ship sank, like so many others throughout the Nice Lakes, you had this affect on the whole group. You had fatherless kids, widows, folks’s lives turned the other way up.” Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Government Director Bruce Lynn mentioned.

When launched in 1958, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was the biggest ship on the Nice Lakes, and stays the biggest sunk there. Here is a have a look at the 29 males misplaced on Nov. 19, 1975, when the majority freighter sank to the underside of Lake Superior throughout a fierce November storm.

Michael E. Armagost

Armagost, 37, of Iron River, Wisconsin, was the third mate. As an officer within the ship deck division, Armagost oversaw a number of high-priority operations.

Fred J. Beetcher

Beetcher, 56, of Superior, Wisconsin, was the ship’s porter and dealt with baggage and cargo aboard the ship.

Thomas D. Bentsen

Thomas D. Bentsen, 23, of St. Joseph, Michigan, was an oiler aboard the ship.

Edward F. Bindon

Bindon, 47, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, was answerable for the correct operation, upkeep and preservation of all engine division equipment and gear.

Thomas D. Borgeson

Borgeson, 41, of Duluth, Minnesota, was a upkeep technician. He repaired all the things the ship wanted, from cracks within the hull to damaged pipes.

Oliver J. Champeau

Campeau, 41, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, was nicknamed “Buck.” He was a 3rd assistant engineer on the Fitzgerald. He dropped out of faculty at age 13 to boost 4 siblings after his father died. Champeau additionally fought within the Korean Warfare within the Marine Corps.

Nolan S. Church

Church, 55, of Silver Bay, Minnesota, was born July 13, 1920 and did not begin crusing till he was 40 after seeing the freighters passing by his home and pondering the work can be enjoyable. He was a ship porter. He was survived by his kids.

Ransom E. Cundy

Cundy, 53, of Superior, Wisconsin, was a watchman on the Fitzgerald. Born in Houghton, Michigan in 1922, he subsequently joined the Marine Corps throughout World Warfare II and fought within the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. According to SS Edmund Fitzgerald Online: he left behind a daughter, Janice.

Thomas E Edwards

Edwards, 50, of Oregon, Ohio, was the second assistant engineer on the Fitzgerald, answerable for the correct operation, upkeep and maintenance of the principle and auxiliary engines.

Russell G. Haskell

Haskell, 40, of Millbury, Ohio, was additionally a second assistant engineer on the Fitzgerald, answerable for the correct operation, upkeep and maintenance of the principle and auxiliary engines.

George J. Holl

Holl, 60, of Cabot, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles from Pittsburgh, was the chief engineer. He was answerable for the correct operation and upkeep of all Fitzgerald techniques.

Bruce L. Hudson

Hudson, 22, of North Olmstead, Ohio, was a deckhand on the Fitzgerald. He maintained the ship and its mechanical gear. He was one of many youngest crew members.

Allen G. Kalmon

Kalmon, 43, of Washburn, Wisconsin, was the second cook dinner on the Fitzgerald. Kalmon’s position on the ship included duty for the well timed preparation and manufacturing of all menu objects on the ship.

Gordon F. MacLellan

MacLellan, 30, of Clearwater, Florida, was the youngest of six kids. He had simply moved to Presque Isle, Michigan, earlier than making the ultimate voyage on the Fitzgerald. His father, Captain Donald MacLellan, had sailed the Nice Lakes a number of occasions. As a windshield wiper, MacLellan was answerable for the ship’s upkeep, together with cleansing the engine room.

Joseph W. Mazes

Mazes, 57, of Ashland, Wisconsin, was a particular upkeep man on the Fitzgerald. He had no spouse or kids, however did have 4 brothers and sisters, according to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Online. In his spare time he loved fishing, deer looking and snowmobiling. According to the Great MittenMazes’ household mentioned he feared Capt. Ernest McSorley’s behavior of by no means getting out of a storm.

John H. McCarthy

McCarthy, 62, of Bay Village, Ohio, was first mate on the time of the sinking of the Fitzgerald, is from Bay Village, Ohio.

Ernest M. McSorley

Captain of the Fitzgerald, McSorley, 63, was born in Canada however lived in Toledo. He was extremely regarded for his abilities, particularly in heavy climate. He deliberate to retire after the 1975 delivery season and was survived by his spouse, Nellie Pollock.

Eugene W. O’Brien

O’Brien, 50, was born in Minnesota and lived in Toledo. Nicknamed the “Nice Lakes Gambler” O’Brien was helmsman for the Fitzgerald. He was survived by his spouse Nancy Ann Minarcin and son John.

Karl A. Peckol

Peckol, 20, of Ashtabula, Ohio, was the youngest crew member on the Fitzgerald. He was a watchman when the Fitzgerald sank.

John J. Paviach

Poviach, 59, of Bradenton, Florida, was the helmsman answerable for steering and steering the vessel underneath the command of the watch watch.

James A. Pratt

Pratt, 44, of Lakewood, Ohio, was the second mate.

Robert C. Rafferty

Rafferty, 62, of Toledo, was a steward on the Fitzgerald. He considered retiring after the final journey on account of unwell well being and at all times being away from his household. according to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Online. Rafferty was survived by his daughter Pam Johnson. Rafferty crammed in for a sailor who was at dwelling with bleeding ulcers.

Paul M. Riippa

Riippa, 22, from Ashtabula, was a sailor. Riippa maintained the ship and its mechanical gear.

John D.Simmons

Simmons, 62, of Ashland, was the helmsman when the Fitzgerald sank. Simmons was a prankster and storyteller, his biography says. He was additionally an avid pool participant. He was survived by his granddaughter Mary, who lived in Ashland, according to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Online.

William J. Spengler

Spengler, 59, of Toledo, was a watchman.

Mark A. Thomas

Thomas, 21, of Richmond Heights, Ohio, was a sailor when the Fitzgerald sank.

Ralph G. Walton

Walton, 58, of Fremont, Ohio, was an oiler aboard the Fitz. He was usually an orator of his tales of the ocean and shared bowls of popcorn together with his nephews whereas telling them tales, in keeping with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Online.

David E. Weiss

Weiss, 22, of Agoura, California, was a cadet aboard the Fitzgerald, tasked with throwing the ship.

Blaine H. Wilhelm

Wilhelm, 52, of Massive Bay, Michigan, and raised in Moquah, Wisconsin, was an oiler aboard the ship. In his spare time, he loved looking and fishing, Superior Mitten mentioned. The 52-year-old was survived by spouse Lorraine, seven kids and a grandchild born simply 4 days after the Fitzgerald sank.

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter on the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.