The state of Michigan has decided to relinquish possession of a valuable artifact linked to the historic Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck, shortly after unexpectedly acquiring it through a legal settlement unrelated to the ill-fated vessel. Larry Orr will have one of the ship’s life rings returned to him, with the state agreeing to pay $600,000 to resolve his lawsuit concerning police misconduct.
“I am greatly relieved,” expressed Orr, 77, in an interview with The Associated Press. In 1975, just eight days following the tragic sinking of the Fitzgerald in Lake Superior, resulting in the loss of all 29 crew members, Orr recounted discovering the life ring and a fragment of a lifeboat on the shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Recalling the moment, Orr shared, “There was a haunting feeling. Perhaps someone had survived. I searched for any traces of life, but found none.” Fast forward to this fall, 50 years later, Orr was in discussions with the Michigan State Police to settle a lawsuit regarding alleged rights violations by Lt. David Busacca in a discredited sexual abuse investigation. Orr had endured five months in jail and subsequent house arrest before being exonerated in 2019.
During the negotiations, the state unexpectedly expressed interest in the Fitzgerald life ring. Orr mentioned that Busacca became aware of his ownership of the artifact upon reviewing documentation during a search of his Michigan residence. Feeling manipulated yet needing funds to relocate from a recreational vehicle in Yulee, Fla., Orr and his attorney, Shannon Smith, saw the inclusion of the ring in the settlement raise the amount to $600,000 from approximately $300,000.
Expressing his sentiments, Orr commented, “I believe we deserved at least a million for the ordeal they put me through.” The peculiar agreement was initially reported by the AP on Oct. 23, prompting queries to the state police. Spokesperson Shanon Banner responded that the department was “uncomfortable” providing an explanation.
Subsequent discussions between legal representatives resulted in a revised agreement: Orr receives the ring, while taxpayers remain liable for the $600,000 settlement to conclude the police misconduct case. Banner confirmed the updated terms recently. For many years, Orr had permitted the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Mich., to exhibit the distinctive orange ring, bearing the inscription “Fitzgerald.”
However, Orr is now contemplating auctioning the artifact, citing plans to purchase a modular home and the urgent need to replace his wife’s ailing vehicle. “I am in dire need of every penny,” he emphasized.