November 10, 201510 yr Spending a lot of time in the Soo area, I've always been facinated by the wreck of the Fitz and the power of storms on the Great Lakes. I've read about every book written on the subject and got to be a Gordon Lightfoot fan as a result. (Have been to four concerts in my life - two of them Gordo). Not sure what the interview says, but Gordon got the idea to write Wreck of the Fitz after reading an article in (I think) Time Magazine being attracted to the Indian words Gitche Gumee meaning "Big Lake" or Superior, and the fact that Superior "never gives up her dead" because of its depth and constant cold water temperatures. I remember reading about the wreck of the Fitgerald when it happened, but the event would have never gained the popularity it has without the song. There is another, less glamorized ship wreck that I remember - The Andrea Doria and the Stockholm - back in the late 50's. I would someday like to visit the Mariner's Church in Detroit on the anniversary of the sinking of the Fitz, and I'd like to meet Frank Mays, the sole survivor of the sinking of the Carl D. Bradley that went down in Huron in 1958. A visit to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum should be a must on any vacation trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is located on Whitefish Point of Lake Superior about 15 miles from where the Fitz went down. Very well done, and houses the Fitz's ship's bell.
November 11, 201510 yr Here's an interview with Gordo about writing the song. Wrote it a few hours after the ship sank. Interesting that the interview says he wrote it the night of the storm. First time I've ever heard that. I've heard him live say that he was having breakfast and reading a magazine that inspired the song. I suspect that Gordon doesn't let the truth stand in the way of a good story (interview).
November 11, 201510 yr November 10, 1975. Worst accident in the history of Lake Superior. 13,632 ton ship was carrying 26,116 tons of iron ore and a crew of 29 men. It sank in a storm when it was only 17 miles from safe harbor at Whitefish Point, Michigan. The ship, which measured 729 feet long, was found broken in two under 530 feet of water. There were no survivors. Of the numbers highlighted, which are prime and which are composite? (#teachingmathwithhistory) 17 and 29 are the only primes, right?
November 11, 201510 yr 17 and 29 are the only primes, right? Wait, that's not right … 17, 29 and two.
November 11, 201510 yr A visit to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum should be a must on any vacation trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is located on Whitefish Point of Lake Superior about 15 miles from where the Fitz went down. Very well done, and houses the Fitz's ship's bell. Was there just a few years ago. Very haunting to see the bell and watch the video of the process of retrieving it (and subsequently replacing it with one that contains the names of all those who were aboard), all while having the song being played somewhere in the background.
November 11, 201510 yr 17, 29 and two. Didn't even see it highlighted. Also... using words isn't fair. :lol2:
November 11, 201510 yr 17, 29 and two. No, he was right, but I thought my first post of 2 was incorrect and changed it, then realized too late I was right to begin with. This is why I'm not a math guy.
November 11, 201510 yr No, he was right, but I thought my first post of 2 was incorrect and changed it, then realized too late I was right to begin with. This is why I'm not a math guy. Sounds like you ARE a math guy but just don't know it...
November 11, 201510 yr Sounds like you ARE a math guy but just don't know it... Maybe just not confident in it.
November 13, 201510 yr Your avatar makes you look like a multiple of yourself. Moi? Let me tell you something …
November 13, 201510 yr Jim Schue's avatar is the best. "Jim Schue can tell ya bout hard times, daddy!"
November 13, 201510 yr Jim Schue's avatar is the best. "Jim Schue can tell ya bout hard times, daddy!" Never thought I'd switch off the old Appaloosa horses I used for several years. But I've taken a shine to 'Ol Dusty, and been using some of that attitude to good effect in everyday life what with some recent shuffling of job responsibilities.
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