Double Flee A

Thirty years ago today, an iron ore boat sank while en route from Duluth to Cleveland. It was under a full load of taconite and the hatches were open, so in the heavy weather the load got wet. Although she was riding low, Captain Ernest McSorley radioed they were holding their own at about seven p.m. Twenty minutes later they didn't show up on the radar any more. There were no survivors. It was the biggest ship on the great lakes, named after a CEO from some life insurance company, Edmund Fitzgerald.

Here's the list of the twenty-nine guys who died in the shipwreck, all of which will be celebrated by me at the bar later. Call if you want to come.

* Michael E. Armagost, 37, Third Mate, Iron River, Wisconsin
* Fred J. Beetcher, 56, Porter, Superior, Wisconsin
* Thomas D. Bentsen, 23, Oiler, St. Joseph, Michigan
* Edward F. Bindon, 47, First Asst. Engineer, Fairport Harbor, Ohio
* Thomas D. Borgeson, 41, Maintenance Man, Duluth, Minnesota
* Oliver J. Champeau, 41, Third Asst. Engineer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
* Nolan S. Church, 55, Porter, Silver Bay, Minnesota
* Ransom E. Cundy, 53, Watchman, Superior, Wisconsin
* Thomas E. Edwards, 50, Second Asst. Engineer, Oregon, Ohio
* Russell G. Haskell, 40, Second Asst. Engineer, Millbury, Ohio
* George J. Holl, 60, Chief Engineer, Cabot, Pennsylvania
* Bruce L. Hudson, 22, Deck Hand, North Olmsted, Ohio
* Allen G. Kalmon, 43, Second Cook, Washburn, Wisconsin
* Gordon F. MacLellan, 30, Wiper, Clearwater, Florida
* Joseph W. Mazes, 59, Special Maintenance Man, Ashland, Wisconsin
* John H. McCarthy, 62, First Mate, Bay Village, Ohio
* Ernest M. McSorley, 63, Captain, Toledo, Ohio
* Eugene W. O'Brien, 50, Wheelsman, Toledo, Ohio
* Karl A. Peckol, 20, Watchman, Ashtabula, Ohio
* John J. Poviach, 59, Wheelsman, Bradenton, Florida
* James A. Pratt, 44, Second Mate, Lakewood, Ohio
* Robert C. Rafferty, 62, Steward, Toledo, Ohio
* Paul M. Riippa, 22, Deck Hand, Ashtabula, Ohio
* John D. Simmons, 63, Wheelsman, Ashland, Wisconsin
* William J. Spengler, 59, Watchman, Toledo, Ohio
* Mark A. Thomas, 21, Deck Hand, Richmond Heights, Ohio
* Ralph G. Walton, 58, Oiler, Fremont, Ohio
* David E. Weiss, 22, Cadet, Agoura, California
* Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, Oiler, Moquah, Wisconsin

posted by dale @ 7:50 AM