Edmund Fitzgerald Shipwreck Artifacts Auctioned for $150,000
A life ring and a section of a lifeboat from the Edmund Fitzgerald were auctioned for $150,000. This event follows the 50th anniversary of the ship’s tragic sinking in Lake Superior, where 29 crew members lost their lives. The artifacts were originally discovered along the Michigan shoreline in 1975 by a carpenter named Larry Orr.
Edmund Fitzgerald Shipwreck: Key Facts
The Edmond Fitzgerald was an ore carrier that perished during a violent storm, plunging 535 feet to the bottom of Lake Superior. The ship sank shortly after an intense weather pattern developed in November 1975. The vessel, often referred to as “Fitz,” remains iconic in maritime history.
Details of the Artifacts
- Life Ring: A vital safety device used by the crew.
- Lifeboat Fragment: A wooden remnant from the ship’s emergency equipment.
Orr, who was only taking a break from work when he found these relics eight days after the ship sank, expressed his surprise at the sale’s outcome. At 77 years old, he remarked, “I’m dumbfounded. I never believed in a million years it would go for that much money.”
Auction House and Seller’s Journey
The auction was managed by DuMouchelles, a well-known gallery in Detroit, located near Mariners’ Church. This church is notable for its tradition of tolling a bell each year on the anniversary of the Fitzgerald’s sinking.
For years, Orr allowed a Michigan museum to exhibit the artifacts. However, he decided to sell them due to financial needs. Recently, he was involved in a $600,000 settlement related to an unrelated misconduct lawsuit against state police. Initially, these items were to be handed over to the state of Michigan, but a story in The Associated Press led to their return to Orr for private sale.
Musical Tribute
The Edmund Fitzgerald’s legacy continues to resonate culturally, notably through Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. He immortalized the ship and its tragic fate in his 1976 ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, but the auction reflects a lasting interest in maritime history and the significance of the Edmund Fitzgerald in American folklore.
