The Night the Fitz Went Down

by Hugh E. Bishop

The year 2000 marks the 25th Anniversary of one of Lake Superior's unsolved mysteries. On November 10, 1975, a "mega-storm" over Lake Superior sank the ore carrier SS Edmund Fitzgerald at the east end of Lake Superior. Although many theories have been expressed on the cause of this catastrophe, one widely held but rarely spoken reason has never been published -- until now. As the last living captain of an ore boat that also sailed through the worst of that storm, Captain Dudley Paquette relates his harrowing memoir of those hours leading up to the Fitzgerald wreck and of the dangerous search afterward. In the process, the reader gains deep insight into the mind of Great Lakes captains and what might have been the situation in the wheelhouse of the Fitzgerald as the big lake crashed across the decks. The real cause of the wreck might finally be known.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maritime

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Diane Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to get the theories of a captain who saw the Edmund Fitzgerald before it left on its final journey, but the book is less about the "night the Fitz went down" than it is a biography of Captain Pacquette. The book is an interesting look at shipping on the Great Lakes, but for more information on the titular shipwreck it would be more helpful to read one of the existing books the author references.

[Phillip Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book had some interesting theories, none of them seemed likely. I felt like as a whole it was below average mostly due to Captain Dudley Paquette's overall arrogant attitude. At times it almost seemed like he had a superiority complex. Again, and again he emphasized that the disaster was caused by negligence. Not only was his hypothesis on how the Edmond Fitzgerald sank far-fetched, but it seemed as if his hostile feelings for the Edmond Fitzgerald and Captain McSorley contributed to most of his reasoning.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot of information that didn't deal with the boat that could have been left out but then there would not have been much left of the book. It was very opinionated.

[Jacki Laz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many of the other reviews have pointed out, this book is more of a biography on Captain Paquette rather than an account of the Fitzgerald. Paquette certainly had an air of superciliousness to him in this book, but it’s not entirely unfounded given history and experience as a Great Lakes Captain. However, the information he does share about the ship and the night of the storm is rather eye-opening. This book is great if you already have a good knowledge of the events of Nov. 10th, 1975. But if you’re looking to get an in-depth analysis and timeline of the events, I’d recommend any of the other books listed in the bibliography.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very thought provoking look at why the iron ore freighter "Edmund Fitzgerald " sank in a very bad November storm in 1975. You might remember Gordon Lightfoots song that became a big hit about it. The author did a lot of research and did an extensive interview with a captain of another ship that was sailing across Lake Superior that night. The captain had looked into the matter also, and has put together some reasons why the ship went down. Reasons that didn't make it to the boards that investigated the sinking for reasons he tells the author.

[Fred Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn't know much about this, so reading more detail was interesting, though the episode was really presented as one (opinionated) captain's perspective. Granted he was a captain on another ore ship that night but if you are reading this for a complete view, this is not the book. On the other hand, it's a fine, short read to learn something about the sinking. It was a monster storm, and amazing the other ships made it.

[Tom Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugh Bishop wrote well on Dudley Paquette's recollections and thoughts and research on the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking. There was a bit too much repetition of things Paquette said especially toward the end of the book. I have gained a deeper understanding of what may have happened during that eventful storm.

[Brett Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on what caused the Big Fitz to sink. I really enjoyed the read. The only negative is that the author focuses a lot on the life and other experience of Captain Paquette, which isn’t necessarily tied to the events of Nov. 10, 1975. His theory of the stress fracture failure sure makes a lot of sense.

[Toph White · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth story of the timeline of the Fitz and other ships that were on the lake that night. An interesting read on theories on what happened. I'd recommend if you are interested in stories on the lakes.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m never going to turn down a book about the Fitz, but this one was actually a bit boring. The writing was dry. There are a lot of books out there that are better if you are interested in this tragedy.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about Capt Paquette. It was interesting to get his perspective and first hand accounting of the storm. I did not learn much I did not already know about the Fitzgerald but I have read and watched several things about the disaster previously.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lake was angry that night!

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of this book read like an autobiography of Captain Paquette.

Not much on the Fitz

[Jeffrey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975 in Lake Superior and was the subject of the song, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot, which catapulted the incident into international prominence. Dudley Paquette was the captain of the Wilfred Sykes, the vessel that loaded on the same dock that the Fitzgerald did on Nov. 9, 1975 in Superior, Wisconsin. Though half of the book is a biography of Paquette and his time on the Great Lakes, he brings credibility to the theory that structural fatigue played a large role in the Fitzgerald's fate. This is a welcomed addition to Edmund Fitzgerald historiography and certain to add to the discussion about what caused the Fitz to sink for many years to come.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was 11 years old & living in Duluth, MN when the Edmund Fitzgerald & crew went missing & have always had a fascination with the whole mystery of the ship's sinking. I was glad that this book had a different twist on the story & included the fascinating background of Captain Paquette's nautical career. I also appreciated the Glossary, & lots of Appendixes for further information! It was an easy read for those of us who are fascinated by the Great Lakes & the great ships that sail on them; one does not need to know all the technical jargon to enjoy this book!

[Alan McCord · Rating 3 out of 5]

We will likely never know exactly how the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in 1975. This book does not add much to that story, but is important because Captain Paquette was on Lake Superior that fateful night. Other lake freighters have broken up during fierce storms and high seas on the Great Lakes. From everything that I have read, structural integrity and overloading were likely significant factors and the loss of the Fitzgerald. But as Gordon Lightfoot wrote, the waves can indeed turn minutes into hours, and that is true for ships as well as for those who sail on them.

[Anne Twiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it needs a full color fold out map of Lake Superior to follow the paths of the ships in the storm. Also, I recommend reading parts aloud in a pirate voice to break up the somber tone.

[Matt Brode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bishop was a captain on the lake the night of the storm. So another perspective as to the sinking of the Mighty Fitz.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bishop was a captain on the lake the night of the storm. So another perspective as to the sinking of the Mighty Fitz.

[John Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. A different (better) perspective on the happenings of this historic event. Story is interlaced with biography of interviewee (also interesting) for creditability purposes. Good read.