How big were the waves that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Around the time the Edmund Fitzgerald sank, the wind was blowing around 50 mph, with gusts reported by the Anderson of 70 to 75 mph, and waves of 18 to 25 feet.

How big were the waves that hit the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Edmund Fitzgerald sank at the eastern edge of the area of high wind where the long fetch, or distance that wind blows over water, produced significant waves averaging over 23 feet (7.0 m) by 7:00 p.m. and over 25 feet (7.6 m) at 8:00 p.m. The simulation also showed one in 100 waves reaching 36 feet (11 m) and one out ...

Are there still bodies in the Edmund Fitzgerald?

The entire crew of 29 people died when the vessel sank. No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage. Later when the wreck was found, it was discovered that the ship had broken in two. It still sits on the bottom of Lake Superior at 530 feet deep.

What was the barometric pressure when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank?

The track at this time was to the northeast with a minimum barometric pressure of 29.53" of Hg.

What was the water temperature when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank?

"They found no survivors," Wiard said. "We're sure it's from the Fitzgerald." The National Weather Service reported hurricane force winds gusting to 80 miles an hour and waves running to 25 feet. It said the water temperature was 49 degrees and the air temperature 41.

Sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald

How many bodies are in Lake Superior?

Lake Superior Bodies. There an 350 shipwrecks in Lake Superior and an estimated 10,000 people have died in the icy waters, but as legend says, Lake Superior never gives up her dead. Underwater bacteria feed on human remains and create gas which causes bodies to float back to the surface.

What is the highest wave ever recorded on Lake Superior?

The highest wave ever recorded was a height of 29 feet (8.8 meters) on October 24, 2017 on Lake Superior just north of Marquette, Michigan.

What is the deepest part of Lake Superior?

The deepest point in Lake Superior (about 40 miles north of Munising, Michigan) is 1,300 feet (400 meters) below the surface.

Which Great Lake has the most shipwrecks?

The Great Lakes hold the secrets of about 8,000 shipwrecks. Lake Erie covers 2,000 of them, among the highest concentration of wrecks in the world.

Where was the body found on the Edmund Fitzgerald?

TORONTO, July 28 -- The Toronto coroner said Thursday that divers researching the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald discovered a body near the ship, which rests 500 feet below the surface of Lake Superior. The body is likely one of the 29 crew who perished when they ship sank nearly two decades ago.

Are bodies preserved in Lake Superior?

Nope, it keeps them fully preserved. Yikes! The cold waters of Lake Superior keeps its dead intact because it's too cold for bacteria to live in, and thus they never "bloat and float" as bodies in warmer climates would, as the gases that cause the bloat are the result of bacterial action.

What happens to bodies in sunken ships?

Most times, the bodies of shipwrecked sailors are washed away by currents or eaten by fish. While bones have been retrieved from more recent shipwrecks, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, only a handful of human remains have ever been found in ancient shipwrecks.

How deep is Lake Michigan?

Approximately 118 miles wide and 307 miles long, Lake Michigan has more than 1,600 miles of shoreline. Averaging 279 feet in depth, the lake reaches 925 feet at its deepest point.

Could the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald have been prevented?

In the 40 years since the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank to the bottom of Lake Superior with 29 crew members aboard, advances in technology and weather forecasting have made shipping on the Great Lakes monumentally safer, say maritime experts, investigators and historians.

How many ships have sunk in Lake Superior?

Of the estimated 10,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region, only about 350 of them are located in Lake Superior. Of those, about 50 wrecks are presumed to be within Minnesota waters. Most of Minnesota's shipwreck history can be found in Lake Superior.

What was discovered at the bottom of Lake Superior?

This past week, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) announced the discovery of the Atlanta in 650 feet of water 35 miles off Deer Park, Michigan. According to a news release, the vessel was helping transport a load of coal in tow of the steamer Wilhelm when a northwest gale hit.

Are there sharks in the Great Lakes?

The water temperature in the Great Lakes is far too cold for most sharks (including the Bull Shark). Even if it managed to make it through the summer months, our frigid winters would turn it into a “sharksicle” in no time.

What is the biggest creature in the Great Lakes?

The largest ever recorded Lake Sturgeon weighted 310 pounds! Suddenly, I'm less inclined to laugh at those who've spotted some shocking 'monsters' in the Great Lakes. Don't swear off swimming in the Great Lakes, though. Lake Sturgeon are actually quite docile.

Is there an underground lake under Lake Superior?

As we determined this past week with several arduous dives, the caves lead to a vast underground lake. This is undoubtedly Sir Duluth's 'Lac d'Enfer,' and the same lake which swallowed poor William Bitter in 1870.

What lives at the bottom of Lake Superior?

More than 200 species of fish live in the lake, including walleye, whitefish, and sturgeon. It also has several bottom-dwelling fish species, such as the invasive round goby. Additionally, the bottom of the lake is home to crayfish, shrimp, and other invertebrates.

Are there whales in Lake Superior?

Every year there are reports of whales in Lake Superior. The reports are sightings sent by residents and visitors along the north shore of Lake Superior. Lake Superior isn't the only Michigan body of water to experience whale sightings.

Which of the Great Lakes has the worst waves?

In most cases, lakes are confined to smaller fetches which limit wave size, but Canada's Great Lakes are large enough to produce frequent swells up to several metres. However, the highest ever recorded waves were 8.7 metres, outside of Marquette, Michigan, on Lake Superior.

How big are the waves on Lake Superior right now?

Waves 3 to 5 feet Wednesday evening. Superior East 11410 11400 12300 12210 11226 11236. Waves 1 to 4 feet.

Could Lake Superior have a hurricane?

So, no, hurricanes cannot form in the Great Lakes. But, yes, very strong systems that pass through the Great Lakes can have damaging, hurricane-strength winds.