A group of swimmers gathered at the Old Mariners Church in Detroit, Michigan, to pay tribute to a significant journey they had just completed. This swim followed the original path of the Edmund Fitzgerald, marking the 50th anniversary of the American freighter’s tragic sinking.
Event organizer Jim Dreyer highlighted the vital role that the Edmund Fitzgerald and other lost mariners played in shaping the economies of both Canada and the United States. He emphasized the dangers these mariners faced while navigating the waters to support trade and commerce.
The commemorative swim involved 68 participants taking on 17 legs, covering over 650 kilometers along the ship’s intended route from Wisconsin to a steel mill near Detroit. The Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, resulting in the loss of all 29 crew members.
Heidi Brabon, the daughter of one of the crew members, shared her memories of the tragic event and the fear she experienced upon learning the news. The ceremony at the Mariners Church, mentioned in Gordon Lightfoot’s song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” included ringing the bell 29 times in remembrance of each lost crew member and an additional toll for all mariners lost in the Great Lakes.
Swimmer Barry Alper, reflecting on the ceremony, expressed the significance of being present at the church and participating in the service. The challenging weather conditions during the swim mirrored the perils faced by the Edmund Fitzgerald, showcasing the power of nature and the immense strength of the Great Lakes.
Brabon had the emotional opportunity to ring the bell in honor of her father, symbolically completing the journey that the ill-fated ship never could. The swim also successfully raised nearly $200,000 for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society to support the preservation of the Whitefish Point Light Station, the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. Executive Director Bruce Lynn mentioned that the funds would likely be used to repair the lighthouse keepers’ quarters, which endure harsh winter conditions.