Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The (Toledo) Blade November 12, 1975 Hopes Fading For Survival Of Lake Freighter's Crew Coast Guard Fears Bodies of 29 May Never Be Recovered From Frigid Waters Of Lake Superior SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) - Coast guard officials heading the search for the sunken ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald say they fear that they may never recover the bodies of the ship's 29 crewmen from Lake Superior's frigid waters. "Lake Superior very seldom coughs up her victims unless they're wearing life jackets," Capt. Charles A. Millradt, com- mander of the Soo coast guard station, said. "As of this time, we have no reason to believe the men of the Fitzgerald had time to get into life jackets." "The temperature of the water has a lot to do with it," Chief Jere Bennett said, "as well as whether or not they've been trap- ped. Generally, the warmer the water, the quicker they come up." The lake currently is about 50 degrees, officials said. Weather Worsening Oglebay-Norton has identified the Fitzgerald's captain as E. M. McSorley, of 4304 West Bancroft St., Ottawa Hills. A coast guard spokesman said that the search effort was expected to be hampered today by poor weather conditions. "They're forecasting 42-mile-per-hour winds and 6 to 12-foot waves." the spokesman said. Visability Tuesday was down to two miles. The 729 foot Fitzgerald apparently foundered and sank in about 350 feet of water Monday night in Whitefish Bay in one of the most severe November storms in 35 years. The area is some 12 miles north of a lighthouse on Whitefish Point and about 8 miles due east of Coppermine Point on the Canadian shore. Steamer Following Carrier The vessel disappeard from sight shortly after 7 o'clock, according to Capt. J. B. Cooper, master of the U.S. Steel Co. steamer Arthur M. Anderson. The Anderson was following several miles behind the Fitzgerald when she vanished. Captain Cooper told coast guard officials that the Fitzgerald had reported by radio that it was taking on water in waves up to 30 feet and winds reaching 50 knots. According to the Soo coast guard base, Captain McSorley had told Captain Cooper that he was battling heavy seas and that he had been taking on some water. Captain McSorley also reported a slight list, but he was certain that his pumps could handle the excess water. Captain Cooper told the coast guard that the last trace he had of the Fitzgerald was via radar. Then the ship suddenly vanished, he said, without even a distress signal. The sinking, was the first major Great Lakes shipping dis- aster in nine years. On Nov. 29, 1966, the lives of 28 crew- men were lost when the Freighter Daniel J. Morrell sank in a Lake Huron storm. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 7 Members of Crew From Toledo, Area Captain Lived In Ottawa Hills, 3 in City, 1 Each From Oregon, Millbury, Fremont Seven of the 29 crewmen of the ill-fated freighter Edmund Fitzgerald which sank Monday in Lake Superior were from Toledo and northwest Ohio. The list of crewmen released today by Columbia Transportation division of Oglebay-Norton Co. in Cleveland, includes three from Toledo and one each from Oregon, Millbury, and Fremont. The captain of the ship was identified Tuesday as Ernest M. McSorley, 62, of 4304 West Bancroft St., Ottawa Hills. Toledoans listed in crew are: Eugene W. O'Brien, 50, a wheelman. William J. Spengler, 59, of 3236 Eastbrook Dr., a watchman. Robert C. Rafferty, 62, of 2510 Consaul St., a steward. Russell G. Haskell, 40, of 24923 West Young Rd., Millbury, was the second assistant engineer. Thomas E. Edwards, 50, of 850 North Curtice Rd., Oregon, also was listed as second assistant engineer. Ralph G. Walton, 58, of Fremont, was listed as an oiler. "The crew members are from all over the country," Eugene Gilmore, assistant manager of vessel personnel for Oglebay, said, "But there are more members from Ohio than anywhere else. Ulcers Credited for Saving Life One man who was not on the boat can credit ulcers for saving his life. Richard Bishop, 28, of Duluth, Minn., was first cook on the Fitzgerald, but did not report for duty Sunday because of being treated for bleeding ulcers. He had been ashore about a month, the Associated Press reported. His doctor had told him that he would release him to return to the boat if he did not have more pain, Mr. Bishop said. But Saturday, his stomach began acting up again. ===========================================================================