Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below
Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below
Podcast Description
On November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared beneath the waves of Lake Superior without so much as a distress call. What, exactly, happened out there 50 years ago?
This five-episode limited podcast tells the story of the Edmund Fitgerald from its launch to its loss — and explores the legacy of what has become one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. You’ll hear from a former coast guardsman who was on a cutter participating in the search for the Fitzgerald; from a diver who saw the wreck firsthand; from the news anchor who broke the tragic story; and from over a dozen other experts. This podcast will take you beyond the song, and into the depths.
Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Under is produced by the Duluth News Tribune, a newspaper that covered the Fitz during its heyday and has remained close to this story ever since. Find features that go into even greater detail, with photos and video, at duluthnewstribune.com.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into the full narrative of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald from its launch in 1958 to its tragic sinking in 1975. It covers themes such as maritime history, shipwreck investigation, and the lasting impact of the ship's story. Episodes include expert interviews that provide insights into the search efforts, personal accounts of the tragedy, and the ship's legacy.
On November 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared beneath the waves of Lake Superior without so much as a distress call. What, exactly, happened out there 50 years ago?
This five-episode limited podcast tells the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald from its launch to its loss — and explores the legacy of what has become one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. You’ll hear from a former coast guardsman who was on a cutter participating in the search for the Fitzgerald; from a diver who saw the wreck firsthand; from the news anchor who broke the tragic story; and from over a dozen other experts. This podcast will take you beyond the song, and into the depths.
Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Under is produced by the Duluth News Tribune, a newspaper that covered the Fitz during its heyday and has remained close to this story ever since. Find features that go into even greater detail, with photos and video, at duluthnewstribune.com.
Duluth TV anchor Dennis Anderson was preparing for the 10:00 news when he received a call asking about a 729-foot freighter that had gone down in Lake Superior. He realized he was going to have to cut into “Monday Night Football” and tell viewers that 29 men had died. Meanwhile, John Crowley was at a Duluth bar with some Coast Guard shipmates when they were all called back to their cutter — immediately. Hear Anderson’s and Crowley’s accounts of that terrible night, and learn why the official investigation into the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald became highly controversial.
Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Under is produced by the Duluth News Tribune, a newspaper that covered the Fitz during its heyday and has remained close to this story ever since. Find features that go into even greater detail, with photos and video, at duluthnewstribune.com/edmundfitzgerald.
Written and narrated by Jay Gabler, with audio engineering by Wyatt Buckner and Dan Williamson. The audio of this episode was edited by Wyatt Buckner.
Our editors on this project are Katie Rohman and Barrett Chase, and our executive editor is Rick Lubbers. Original score composed by William Bruegemann. Newspaper archive excerpts and other historical documents were read by Teri Cadeau, Barrett Chase and Dan Williamson.
Thanks to our guests on this episode: Dennis Anderson, John U. Bacon, John Crowley, Tanner Johnson, Kaylee Matuszak, Paul Sabourin, Frederick Stonehouse and Terrence Tysall. Thanks also to Maria Lockwood of the Superior Telegram for participating in our interview of Dennis Anderson. Read more stories about the Edmund Fitzgerald, and learn more about this podcast, at duluthnewstribune.com.
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