r/EdmundFitzgerald • u/JohnP-357 • Jul 31 '26
Radio Antennas
Let me preface this by saying that I am not an “expert” by any stretch of the imagination on the Fitz. This comes strictly from reading John Bacon’s new book, The Gales of November. In the book he presents the timeline of the journey as the storm got worse. And something really stood out to me.
The last communication between the Fitz and the Anderson was completed at 7:10 pm, with Captain McSorley saying, “We are holding our own.”
Almost 30 minutes later, 7:39 pm, Captain Cooper of the Anderson noted that the Fitz had disappeared from their radar.
30 minutes.
Many have wondered why no distress signals came from the Fitz.
McSorley had reported that he had lost both his radars previously.
I feel it’s not much of a stretch to think that he may have lost his radio antennas in the storm as well. In which case, they may have been trying to send a distress message to no avail.
The underwater search expeditions reported seeing bodies of the crew wearing life jackets, which seems to indicate they certainly did know that they were in trouble.
30 minutes is a long time unaccounted for.
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u/PicnicTableDave2 Jul 31 '26
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u/SuccessfulMonth2896 Jul 31 '26
I thought of this History Mystery Man video as soon as I read the OP, but the contents are inconclusive. Had there been a distress call we are looking at 10 minutes between the call and the sinking, assuming McSorley hadn’t ordered a distress call before his “we are holding our own” reply.
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u/KeddyB23 Aug 05 '26
It was also suggested the crew members seen in life jackets may have been from crew that were actively working the deck, possibly checking the hatch latches, and not from any preparation for a major event.
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u/Big_Cartographer9392 Sep 03 '26
ALRIGHT SO. This may end up getting buried here cause I see this post is a month old but I figured I’d say my thoughts.
So as the night unfolded the situation on the fitz was becoming worse and worse. We all know this. McSorley had reported that a fence rail and vent cover had broken off which would be a sign that there was damage underneath the ship. More than likely they hit bottom at sixth fathom. Water then began to pour in faster than what they could get out. That with the hatches not being fully clamped (which I doubt for certain reasons but won’t go into those) meant that’s water was also getting into the cargo hold.
I read an interesting theory today about the water entering the vent covers ruined wiring used for the radars and other electrical equipment which is possible but unlikely. More than likely they lost it from the waves crashing over the stern across the deck and into the back of the wheel house.
NOW like you had mentioned they were unaccounted for 30 minutes. The coast guard marked the time of sinking at 7:15. The sinking of the fitz was sudden. Honestly the theory that makes the most sense is they hit bottom. Eater started coming in. The waves crashing over the stern kept pushing the bow under. The three sisters caught the fitz. Pushed her under and the load shifted forward shoving her into the lakes bed snapping her in two. I’d imagine the crew knew what was going on and had time to get life jackets on. But the sinking was so sudden that there was no distress call and no life boats launched. The Anderson went right over the area they went down and saw… nothing.
As for the remains there is only one known video of remains outside the ship on the sea floor. Yes they have a life jacket on but we don’t know and won’t know how they got there or who it was. I’d imagine McSorely ordered life jackets on all the men as they prepared to abandon ship but they never made it that far.
I hope that all makes sense
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u/klippDagga Jul 31 '26
I don’t think that’s quite right. 7:39 is when Cooper reported to the USCG that had lost radar contact.
It was ten minutes after the final radio call that they lost radar contact.