Remembering the 29 men who perished when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975

On this day in 1975 the Great Lakes freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, sank with all 29 men on board. Below is a list of those brave men who lost their lives that night:

• Captain Ernest M. McSorley
• Michael E. Armagost
• Fred J. Beetcher
• Thomas D. Bentsen
• Edward F. Bindon
• Thomas D. Borgeson
• Oliver J. Champeau
• Nolan S. Church
• Ransom E. Cundy
• Thomas E. Edwards
• Russell G. Haskell
• George J. Holl
• Bruce L. Hudson
• Allen G. Kalmon
• Gorden Maclellan
• Joseph Mazes
• John H. McCarthy
• Eugene O'Brien
• Karl A. Peckol
• John J. Poviach
• James A. Pratt
• Robert C. Rafferty
• Paul M. Rippa
• John D. Simmons
• William J. Spengler
• Mark A. Thomas
• Ralph G. Walton
• David E. Weiss
• Blaine H. Wilhelm

Boatnerd.com's extensive Edmund Fitzgerald information. Includes audio of the captain of the Arthur M. Anderson reporting on the (at the time) suspected loss of the Fitzgerald to the Coast Guard.

Previously on All Things Michigan:

Perfect Storm Caused Fitzgerald to Sink

Wreck of the Sandusky - Video and its story

I don't mean to be on a kick lately of showing you videos of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. I have just been stumbling upon some truly interesting and intriguing stuff. For instance, I was searching for some video of the Mackinac Bridge at Google Video and found this video of divers exploring the wreck of the Sandusky. This led me to do a little research about the story of the Sandusky. From its wreck to divers illegally taking pieces of the wreckage it is an interesting enough story that I thought it should be shared.

In August of 2004 Robert Allen Lemmer was found guilty of stealing the beam from another Straits wreck, the William H. Barnum. Apparently he had great plans of using it as a mantelpiece.

While investigating him, officers found artifacts from the Sandusky. Unfortunately these were taken in the 1980s and the statute of limitations had passed so he couldn't be charged with those thefts.

The news about Lemmer via CDNN

The Sandusky was a two-masted vessel that measured in at 110 feet and was built in 1848. On September 20, 1856, the Sandusky floundered in a ferocious gale taking seven lives. Although many items of interest have been removed over the years much still remains to be seen of the Sandusky.

The intricate figurehead is amazingly enough still in excellent condition. There are anchors and a bilge pump on deck as well. You can see quite a bit in the video.

The video is on the long side (a little over 7 minutes) so if you have dialup you probably should not bother trying. Unless you want to click on it and wait for an hour, but honestly the video most likely is not worth that. This could have been edited a bit and cut down to a more reasonable 3 minutes.

However, to see the details of this ship that sank 1856 is just incredible. The Sandusky sunk 150 years ago this September. It is hard to believe considering the details such as the figurehead that are still visible after all these years 90 feet under the waters of the Straits of Mackinac.

If the above video player does not work properly you can view the video here.

Get your copy of 'A Face in the Rock'

If you cannot find a copy of A Face in the Rock at your local bookstore and they are unable to order it for you then use the link below to purchase it at Amazon.com. They have a paperback version available for $16.95. A Face in the Rock - Loren Graham

I have not yet checked at our local bookstore, Lowry's Books & More, but I know that if it is not in stock Tom Lowry can easily order it for me and have it in a matter of days. I did notice that it is not in their online store so it most likely is not in stock there.

I am quite intrigued by this book after finding out about the possibility of it being made into a movie. It seems to be a rather sad and yet compelling story of the passing of the Ojibwe's nation and culture. Of course, I read everything I can get my hands on that involves Michigan history so it was a no-brainer that this would interest me.

One of the six most sought after Great Lakes shipwrecks found

Last Friday, Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates announced that they had found one of their six most-sought-after Great Lakes shipwrecks. Off the shore from South Haven and under about 230 feet of water they located the Hennepin. Despite its wooden hull, the Hennepin remains in favorable condition due to Lake Michigan's cold fresh water. Built in 1888, the Hennepin was converted into a self-unloader around 1901. As all Boat Nerds know, the self-unloader is the prototypical Great Lakes freighter on the lakes today.

In the 1920s the Hennepin was only used as a barge and towed due to its unstable hull. On August 18, 1927 she sunk in a squall midway between Chicago and its destination of Grand Haven. Attempts by the crew to save her were unsuccessful and all escaped safely aboard the tugboat.

Check out some underwater footage of the Hennepin shipwreck from WWMT Channel 3. The video is a little over two minutes long and provides some real neat shots of the wreck.

For some ultra clear underwater photos of the Hennepin head over to www.michiganshipwrecks.org. I am amazed at how well the wood has stood the test of time these 79 years.

Via WWMT News 3 out of Kalamazoo

Michigan book, 'A Face In The Rock' might become movie

Crews from Back40 Films have been filming and scouting locations near Sault Ste. Marie for a possible film adaptation of Loren Graham's 1995 historical novel, 'A Face In The Rock.' The book is about an Indian, “Powers of the Air,” who was the lone survivor of a battle between his Ojibwe and their hated rival, the Sioux. He was sent back to tell his tribe of the tribesmen being wiped out in the battle. The novel receives its name from a carving of "Powers of the Air" created in a sandstone rock on the shores of Lake Superior in 1820.

The face in 1960
The Face Today Pictures courtesy of www.afaceintherock.com.

I have never heard of this book before coming across this article in The Mining Journal. The story has me intrigued and I have added it to my list of books to read.

You can find out more about the movie at www.afaceintherock.com.

Loren Graham is holding a book signing tonight from 4-7 pm at Falling Rock Cafe in Munising. The film production team will also be giving a brief presentation and their ideas for the film.

Shipwreck Explorer and State of Michigan in a Standoff

Steve Libert believes he has discovered one of the Great Lakes most coveted shipwrecks. The Griffon is the "holy grail" of Great Lakes shipwrecks. The mystery that surrounds its fate and the fact that it was the first full-sized sailing vessel on the upper Great Lakes make it a much sought after and debated shipwreck. Libert is the explorer who believes he has indeed found the wreck of the Griffon. Apparently, finding it was the easy part. Documenting and exploring it are proving to be quite difficult.

The State of Michigan and Libert have been in court trying to see who gets to do the research. The State of Michigan claims all wrecks within its part of the Great Lakes. Libert will not tell the state where the wreck is as he fears all of his work will be for naught and the state will push him aside.

Does the State of Michigan have the funds available to research and raise what might be the Griffon? Libert believes that he has the funding available and that it will be difficult for the state to find the money necessary for proper research and raising of the vessel.

It is a shame that this wreck was discovered in 2001 and that no one has been able to research and explore the vessel to make a determination if it is indeed the Griffon. Wouldn't it be great if a private individual (or foundation) could work with the State of Michigan and document, preserve, and raise this ship for the entire state to enjoy? I cannot even imagine the money being spent on both sides (Libert and Michigan) in court to continue this fight.

Libert has hired marine archaeologists through his company, Great Lakes Exploration Group, and they will be giving an 11 a.m. press conference in Charlevoix today. They will be presenting their findings on the wreckage of the Griffon.

Via the Detroit Free Press

For more information on the Griffon - http://shipwreck.blogs.com/shipwrecks_historical_tim/griffon/index.html