Peter Spung’s Reviews > The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald > Status Update

The last 6 hours for the Fitz crew were harrowing on Lake Superior in a storm of the century with 60 mph winds, blizzard conditions, and 30 foot waves. Despite staying close to another ship, the Fitz had damage, was listing, and lost both radars -- essentially running blind in perilous waters and conditions. Captain McSorley's last radio call was at 7:10pm on Nov 10, 1975.

The 29 crew and their role on the Fitz is introduced and profiled with colorful tales from the time that led up to their assignment, or during. The harmony on board and mutual respect between the captain and chief engineer set the tone for the entire crew. The ship was first rate, as was its crew. Generational differences, opportunities and conflicts are insightfully described.

This book is a great backdrop during a summer trip to northern Michigan. I had no idea how vital great lakes area natural resources and shipping have been to the economy. I love industrial and business history, and Bacon tells it so well. The characters of the crew and local people in port are well fascinating.

Many interesting characters, cold towns on Lake Superior, their local businesses, and enormous taconite loading and unloading machines and operations filled days in the life of the Fitz and other laker crews. These tales are interesting and brought to life through the author's careful character building and stories.

The Fitz was decorated by the JL Hudson's, the premiere dept store in Detroit. Although expensive this was a good investment as it attracted the best crew on the Great Lakes. The Fitz won every award during its inaugural seasons: fastest trips, largest cargo hauled for individual runs, and cumulatively for entire seasons.

In the wake of WWII, the US and its Workshop of the World in the upper midwest supplied the machinery, appliances, and vehicles that Europe and the world needed. Detroit became the wealthiest city in the world with all of the trappings. The Fortune 500 was dominated by auto related companies in the 50s and 60s. Great Lakes shipping was on overdrive to supply the needed materials.

With the risks of sailing the Great Lakes so high, why do it? The rewards! The upper midwest is rich in vast supplies of lumber, grain, limestone, iron ore & taconite, and the world's best soil and climate for farming, and the world's biggest lakes that connect to mighty rivers and eventually canals. Lakes get those raw materials to markets and factories with worldwide reach. Chicago, Gary, Detroit & Cleveland grew.

The carnage of the Nov 1913 "White Hurricane" storm of the century was felt throughout the Great Lakes. Bodies and pieces of ships washed ashore for weeks. All told, 19 ships were wiped out with 254 souls aboard. The Weather Service and extra pay offered to crew for sailing in November were blamed. The record was held for 62 years until Nov 1975, long enough for the lessons learned from 1913 to be forgotten.

The harrowing tale of the LC Waldo and rescue crews during the Nov 7, 1913 storm is recounted with palpable fear and tumult.

The author describes his fascination with the topic and dedicates thr book to the 29 men lost and their families. The Great Lakes conditions and risks are harrowing, with waves, wind and ice intensifying the shoals, islands, bridges, tight rivers, ports and other ships that must be navigated. The casualties in the century before the show the toll: averaging one shipwreck per week and nearly one casualty per day.