The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a massive ore carrier that met its demise on Lake Superior in 1975, has left behind a piece of its history. Recently auctioned off to the highest bidder for $150,000, the life ring and wooden plank are a tangible link to one of America's most infamous maritime disasters.
Built in the mid-1950s, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship to sail the Great Lakes at that time. Its 729-foot length made it an imposing figure on the waterways, carrying taconite pellets from Minnesota mines to steel mills in Detroit and other cities around the lakes. However, its size belied a tragic fate.
On November 9, 1975, the ship set sail ahead of a storm that would soon become violent. Winds of gale force battered the vessel as it traversed Lake Superior, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The ship's final resting place was in Canadian waters near Whitefish Bay, where all twenty-nine crew members lost their lives.
Over the years, theories about the causes of the disaster have circulated among sailors, historians, and enthusiasts of Great Lakes lore. Was it structural failure, weather extremes, or something else entirely? Despite extensive research, some questions remain unanswered, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate the public imagination.
The life ring and wooden plank discovered by Larry Orr shortly after the ship sank on November 18, 1975, were eventually loaned to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Michigan. There, they remained on display for decades, becoming some of the most closely associated artifacts with the Edmund Fitzgerald. When brought to auction this December in Detroit, the relics drew attention from collectors, historians, and the broader public.
At DuMouchelles Auctioneer and Art Gallery, the two items were presented with documentation detailing their discovery and preservation. This thorough provenance helped build confidence among bidders, driving the final price well beyond initial estimates of $15,000 to $20,000.
For those who follow maritime history closely, the rarity of life rings from famous shipwrecks being available for public sale is a significant event. Museums and historical societies work hard to preserve such items, but when they appear at auction, it's often due to private owners deciding to sell. The fact that these artifacts were preserved in relatively good condition made them highly sought after by collectors.
As the fiftieth anniversary of the sinking approached, memorial services and commemorations were held across the Great Lakes region. For many years, a bell has tolled at Mariners' Church in Detroit, honoring the crew members who lost their lives on that fateful day.
The auction serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Its story continues to captivate those interested in maritime history, while its loss remains an important part of American cultural heritage.
Built in the mid-1950s, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship to sail the Great Lakes at that time. Its 729-foot length made it an imposing figure on the waterways, carrying taconite pellets from Minnesota mines to steel mills in Detroit and other cities around the lakes. However, its size belied a tragic fate.
On November 9, 1975, the ship set sail ahead of a storm that would soon become violent. Winds of gale force battered the vessel as it traversed Lake Superior, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The ship's final resting place was in Canadian waters near Whitefish Bay, where all twenty-nine crew members lost their lives.
Over the years, theories about the causes of the disaster have circulated among sailors, historians, and enthusiasts of Great Lakes lore. Was it structural failure, weather extremes, or something else entirely? Despite extensive research, some questions remain unanswered, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate the public imagination.
The life ring and wooden plank discovered by Larry Orr shortly after the ship sank on November 18, 1975, were eventually loaned to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Michigan. There, they remained on display for decades, becoming some of the most closely associated artifacts with the Edmund Fitzgerald. When brought to auction this December in Detroit, the relics drew attention from collectors, historians, and the broader public.
At DuMouchelles Auctioneer and Art Gallery, the two items were presented with documentation detailing their discovery and preservation. This thorough provenance helped build confidence among bidders, driving the final price well beyond initial estimates of $15,000 to $20,000.
For those who follow maritime history closely, the rarity of life rings from famous shipwrecks being available for public sale is a significant event. Museums and historical societies work hard to preserve such items, but when they appear at auction, it's often due to private owners deciding to sell. The fact that these artifacts were preserved in relatively good condition made them highly sought after by collectors.
As the fiftieth anniversary of the sinking approached, memorial services and commemorations were held across the Great Lakes region. For many years, a bell has tolled at Mariners' Church in Detroit, honoring the crew members who lost their lives on that fateful day.
The auction serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Its story continues to captivate those interested in maritime history, while its loss remains an important part of American cultural heritage.
. The fact that these life ring and wooden plank from the Edmund Fitzgerald were sold for $150k is wild 
. I know some people might say it's crazy that they're just selling artifacts from a famous shipwreck, but at the same time, it's like they're giving people a chance to own a piece of history 
.
. I guess it just goes to show that even though we might not know all the answers about what happened to the Edmund Fitzgerald, its legacy lives on.
. I mean, sure, museums are important for preserving history and all, but sometimes it's nice to see these artifacts get to people who can really appreciate them 
.
...people can see 'em and be like "whoa, that's history right there" 
...for those who care about maritime stuff, this is a big deal 
...and hey, $150k for two little pieces of metal doesn't sound so bad 
...I guess what I'm trying to say is...these artifacts are still helping us learn from the past and remember those 29 crew members 
...so even though it's been 50 years since the tragedy happened, we're still getting some closure through these auction sales 
I mean, can you even imagine being on that ship when it sank? Theories about what happened to it are still out there, but you know what's wild? How some of those crew members' personal belongings were preserved for so long 
. It's like, what if this life ring was the last thing one of them grabbed before...you know 
. Anyway, it's awesome that they're now being auctioned off and can go to a good home 
they're pieces of a dark chapter in US history that still fascinates us today. I mean, 50 years on and people are still hooked on this story - it's crazy! The fact that these artifacts were sold for like $150k is wild too... it just goes to show how valuable our shared history can be 
it's like they're getting a new home 
50 yrs since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank and we're still learning about it 
some questions will always remain unanswered 
. like, they were just trying to do their job and make a living, but Mother Nature was all like "nah, not today" 
. it's crazy how many theories are still out there about what happened, but some questions will never be answered and that's just heartbreaking 
.
It's crazy how much mystery surrounds its sinking, too - I swear, some questions are just meant to remain unanswered, you know? 
And now these artifacts are out in the open, where anyone can see 'em... it's like we're finally getting a glimpse into the past. 
! the edmund fitzgerald is literally one of the most infamous shipwrecks eva 
150k is a pretty penny, btw! i think its awesome that people are still super interested in this histroy and stuff 
it just goes to show how much ppl care about the crew members who lost their lives