49th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony Honors Tragic Sinking of Great Lakes Freighter

The 49th annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony was held on November 7, 2024, to commemorate the tragic sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes freighter that met its fate on November 10, 1975. The ceremony, which has become a significant event in the region, honors the 29 crew members who lost their lives in the disaster.

The memorial ceremony includes a beacon lighting at the Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota, a tradition that has been upheld since the first anniversary of the sinking. This beacon lighting serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the importance of maritime safety.

In addition to the memorial ceremony, a radio play capturing the final voyage of the Edmund Fitzgerald has been released. This radio play aims to bring the story of the ship and its crew to life, providing a unique perspective on one of the most infamous maritime disasters in Great Lakes history.

The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains a topic of great interest and study, particularly in the realm of maritime history. The Tower Honors Lecture Series at Lake Erie College, for example, has featured discussions on the maritime history of the Great Lakes, including the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.