Special Event

[W8VS]

“Remembering the Fitzgerald” N8F

On November 7th , 8th, & 9th , 2003 about 10 ‘Stu Rockers’ will be on the air from Whitefish Point and Paradise, Michigan ‘Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald’
The ‘Fitz’ went down with her crew on the evening of November 10, 1975 approximately 17 miles off of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior.
This will be the 7th year that the Stu Rockafellow Amateur Society has done a special event in remembrance of the Edmund Fitzgerald and her crew.
We expect to have 3 HF stations on the air plus 6 m SSB and 2 m FM
The call sign for the event is N8F ( “November” “Eight” “Fitzgerald” )
Expected operating times will be between noon Fri. Nov.7th and noon Sun. Nov. 9th .
Frequencies as listed in QST, CQ and World Radio are 7,265, 14,265, 21,325 and 28,465 MHz.. Other bands and modes are possible. (160m, 80m, 17m, 12m, 6m, 2m, SSTV, PSK31 and CW)
We would appreciate your support by talking it up on the air and working us in November.

Certificate available: W8VS
Richard Barker
264 N. East St.
Brighton, Mi. 48116

w8vs@arrl.net

To obtain a certificate, send your QSO information/QSL along with a 9×12 inch self-addressed, stamped envelope to address listed.

(Send smaller envelope if you don’t mind a few folds)

And we should never forget. This is what special events should be all about. As a Michigan youth I was a big fan of the massive lake ships. Now as a sailor, I have a renewed respect for the crews that man them.

Although I was not even born yet, this event reminds me everyday how we should never let our gaurd down on mother nature and no matter how strong we make our machines, she can still rock the boat.

Hope to here the station here in Hawaii. Aloha

Thomas
KH6/W4MDL

[KD7EFQ]

Lets also remember the singer Gordon Lightfoot who wrote a famous ballad about it. I understand he is ailing. Keep him in our thoughts as well. 73.

I did not hear about that. That's to bad. He is a very talented artist. Not many of them left.

[kr4ua]

Hope to work the special event station. My Father served on the Peter A.B. Widener as a Merchent Marine in the late 60's.

[n0klu]

I was a sergent stationed at HHB Divarty in Kitzingen Germany that cold and wet November in 1975, A PFC in my unit was emergency evacuated because his dad was abord the fitzgerald. We all packed his gear and shipped it to him, never heard from him again. I can't even remember his name now...too many years gone by. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I hope we were of some help in his sorrow.

[N8YV]

In my lifetime, I recall several extraordinary events, where I was and how I felt. Some have been pleasant (Ed White's space walk, The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, Neil Armstrong stepping onto the lunar surface, the end of the draft in 1975); others unfortunately, include the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK, Nixon's resignation, and the Fitzgerald disaster, just to name a few.

These were all moments that struck deeply through the ordinary routines of daily life, sometimes offering lessons but at other times leaving me to wonder just what their meaning would bring to my future.

My intense interest in things nautical (particularly naval history and architecture) was near its peak at the time of the "Fitz" disaster. Prior to her sinking, the last major Great Lakes mishap was the Daniel J. Morrell. Let's hope the Fitzgerald affair marks the last of these disasters for good.

You can bet I'll be on the air to work this station!

[kg4bfl]

I can still remember being 10 yrs old when the great ship went down. I was in Paradise a town just down the road from White Fish point when the storm hit. Parents tell me they came by and evacuated the place we were staying. We had a huge sand dune cliff to the lake and waves were going over and coming across the road. All this took place 1 day before my birthday, so I always remember the Fitzgerald on my B.D. I will try my best to be on the air for remembrence of the Fitzgerald.
73's http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kd7nwm]

I remember the day well. Was a student at Michigan Tech over 100 miles away but as the storm moved through, it was all we could to stand going across campus to classes. School officials tied ropes between building so we could hold on and windows were sucked out of the high rise classroom buildings. What an experience. Is partly why I participate in Emergency Communications today. I will give a call on your frequencies. 73-

WY7UPR (The Wyoming UP'er!!!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[N0TTW]

I remembered that day as well. My mom was dating a guy that worked on these ships. He was informed to board the Fitz the day it left Superior, WI. Fortunately, he was delayed because because of the weather in Duluth (there was an accident on the bridge to Superior.).

As a 10 y/o at the time, I told him (my mom's boyfriend) we (friends and I) would be down by the Lift Bridge to watch the ship leave and see if we could wave him good buy.

We didn't see him, but we did wave at the other men on deck. Didn't think much about the weather, it was cold, wet and snowy. That was the last time we ever saw the boat.

Chris N0TTW

If you have not been up there the muesum is awesome, I think they have done a real nice job preserving the memory of those we lost and also the ship. If you have not been up there in while try and plan a trip. I do not think you will be sorry.

Don

[N8CPA]

One regular crew member of the Fitz survived, according to one chronicler of the tragedy. He was scheduled to return from sick leave for that passage. But his bleeding ulcers kicked in again, so he stayed ashore. I have not really checked the accuracy of that story.

When I hear of commemorative events like this one, I hope it doesn't rub salt in the wounds of the families of the lost sailors. I know that when the 20th anniversary of the sinking occured, there were requests from several families that no commemorations take place.

Of course, as a fan of Great Lakes shipping history, I will probably try to work the station, especially on CW if it's used. A QSL from the station might make a nice addition to the Great Lakes collection in my shack. My most prominent piece is a Gary Stretar montage, "The Gales of November." It shows the image of several GL ships lost during November storms over the years. The top center of the print, is the "Big Fitz."

In regard to the Morrell, though, that story is one befitting Halloween. The sole survivor of the ship credits an apparition with his survival. He was covered with ice, and when thirsty would try to suck some of the ice. The apparition kept telling him not to.

!!

[kb9ojs]

I am also a fan of the Great Lakes ships, and I think the Edmund Fitzgerald is one of my favorites. I am glad to see someone remembering the ship and the men who manned her. I didn't know that Gordon Lightfoot was in bad health, I really like his music and listen to it all the time. I certainly hope he gets better. I will have to make an effort to work the special event station and get the QSL.

Never forget the fitz and the the men who manned it.

KB9OJS Amateur Extra

[kw8g]

Having lived in S.E. Michigan all my life,we often traveled to the U.P. to visit my grandparents who owned a resort. As a youngster I remember taking the ferries across the Straits of Mackinac (before the bridge) and being in awe of those massive lake freighters. When Rich, W8VS ask my daughters and I to help run this special event station I was elated to say the least! As for Mike N0KLU who can not remember the name of the man he was in Germany with,maybe this will help..Here is a list of all 29 crewmembers who are Recorded as missing from the Edmund Fitzgerald as of 10 Nov.1975. # Ernest McSorley,Toledo,OH. # John McCarthy,Bay Village,OH. # James Pratt,Lakewood,OH. # Michael Armagost Iron River,WI. # George Holl,Cabot,PA. # Edward Bindon,Fairport Harbor,OH. # Thomas Edwards,Oregon,OH. # Russell Haskell,Millbury,OH. # Oliver Champeau,Milwaukee,WI. # Frederick Beetcher,Superior,WI. # Thomas Bentsen,St. Joseph,MI. # Thomas Borgeson,Duluth,MN. # Nolan Church,Silver Bay,MN # Ransom Cundy,Superior,WI. # Bruce Hudson, N.Olmsted,OH. # #Allen Kalmon,Washburn,WI. # Gordon MacLellan,Clearwater,FL. # Joseph Mazes,Ashland,WI. # Eugene O'Brian,St.Paul,MN. # Karl Peckol,Ashtabula,OH. # John Poviach,Bradenton,FL. # Robert Rafferty,Toledo,OH. # Paul Riippa,Ashtabula,OH. # John Simmons,Ashland,WI. # William Spengler,Toledo,OH. # Mark Thomas,Richmond Hts,OH. # Ralph Walton,Fremont,OH. # David Weiss,Agoura,CA. # Blaine Wilhelm,Moquah,WI. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Shall we never forget.. # 73 to all and we will be looking forward to working you all from "The Point" Ralph,KW8G # #Holly,K8OWT # Hillary,K8OWS #& #Laura W8JUZ...

[kc8yhu]

I will have to try listening to the broadcasts. I deeply enjoy reading about shipwrecks on the great lakes and the Fiz is the most well known one. Also I think there was another shipwreck before the Morell (excuse the spelling errors) called the Carl D Bradley where only 2 men lived. That i think happened in Lake Michigan sometime in the 50's. The storm that took that ship down has been compaired to the storm that sank the Fiz.

[kc8yhu]

Also forgot, I was at the Museum at Whitefish Point many years ago. It was cool and got me interested in shipwrecks. I will have to go again.

[N8CPA]

Another good museum is the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion, Oh. #It is a member museum of the Great Lakes Historical Society, with a significant collection of various ship molds, models, and dioramas.
On the north side of the museum, overlooking Lake Erie, is an attached restored, original wheelhouse from a GL freighter, The Canopus. #Standing in it, gives you the same perspective as a helmsman. #Check out their website, www.inlandseas.org. #It is well worth a visit.

And if you're interested in GL shipwrecks history, look for any and all titles by Frederick Stonehouse and Dwight Boyer #

!!

[KC8TIH]

I would also like to invite anyone and everyone to take a peek at the Stu Rockafellow ARS's website located at http://www.qsl.net/w8njh - it has an explanation of the upcoming Special Event, as well as other events that the group participates in.

At this time, unforunately, there are no pictures on the website, as I am hard at work at rebuilding the webpage.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

Very 73,
Bobby - KC8TIH
SRARS Webmaster

[KI4BQE]

If anyone has the oppertunity to visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish point, go! I don't think you will be disappointed. I visited the area with my Dad in 1963. It was his favorite place. If you go, don't miss the Taquamenon River and the lower waterfalls. I remember him coming into my room in the middle of the night to turn off my Hallicrafters after I'd fallen asleep listening. I was licensed in the 60's, and failed to renew, but recently came back as a General Class. I revisited a couple years back to put his ashes in the place he loved and will always feel special about it, and him. # # # # # # # #THANK YOU for this event, Bob KI4BQE

[W9VHN]

I first met Capt. McSorley & Jack McCarthy on the MV/J.R. Sensibar in Chicago. Good guys & great sailors as were all the crew. I used to service the radar & radios on he great lakes vessels including the Fitzgerald. Was shocked to hear of the tragedy. The special event station is fitting & I will be sure to work it.
Dennis - W9vhn