How much time do you need at SS Edmund Fitzgerald?

Allow 2–3 hours to explore SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

When was the SS Edmund Fitzgerald lost?

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was lost on Lake Superior in 1975. The recorded date of loss is November 10, 1975. 29 lives were lost.

What kind of ship was the SS Edmund Fitzgerald?

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a bulk carrier built in 1958.

Shipwreck & maritime history · Lake Superior

SS Edmund Fitzgerald

The Great Lakes' best-known shipwreck and a lasting story of Lake Superior.

Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domain

Edmund Fitzgerald-USACE.jpg by Unknown photographer · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About SS Edmund Fitzgerald

The freighter sank during a November storm in 1975. This entry is a historical overview; it is not a dive-site guide.

LakeLake Superior

RegionMichigan

LostNovember 10, 1975

VesselBulk carrier

Historical overview only. Conditions, access and site safety can change; consult qualified local sources before any water activity.

Live · SS Edmund Fitzgerald

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

Wreck sites are not published, so conditions are for the nearest forecast point on this shore. Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Summer and early fall for the Whitefish Point museum; each November 10, memorial services around Lake Superior honor the 29 crew.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

See the ship's original bell at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum; a replica engraved with the crew's names was left on the wreck.
Stand on Whitefish Point, at the mouth of the bay the Fitzgerald was seeking for shelter when she vanished in the storm.
View the two damaged lifeboats found after the sinking, displayed aboard Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie.
Mark November 10, when the bell tolls 29 times at Whitefish Point and Split Rock relights its beacon on the North Shore.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

The wreck lies in Canadian waters and is protected by Ontario law as a gravesite — honor the crew at museums and memorials, never on the water.
The Whitefish Point museum typically closes to the public on November 10 for the memorial, which has been livestreamed in recent years.
Whitefish Point and the Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie can be paired in one long day of Upper Peninsula maritime history.

Great for Shipwrecks & maritime history Lighthouses

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No verified point location is available. This is a lake overview, not this place's exact position. Precise shipwreck sites are not plotted.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about SS Edmund Fitzgerald

When is the best time to visit SS Edmund Fitzgerald?: Summer and early fall for the Whitefish Point museum; each November 10, memorial services around Lake Superior honor the 29 crew.
How much time do you need at SS Edmund Fitzgerald?: Allow 2–3 hours to explore SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
When was the SS Edmund Fitzgerald lost?: The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was lost on Lake Superior in 1975. The recorded date of loss is November 10, 1975. 29 lives were lost.
What kind of ship was the SS Edmund Fitzgerald?: The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a bulk carrier built in 1958.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources