The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

At 1152, the Third Mate recorded the weather as overcast with winds from 158 degrees T at 30 knots with waves 10 to 12 feet. The Second Mate, Roy Anderson, assumed the 1200-1600 watch on board ANDERSON and changed course to clear the Michipicoten Island West End Light by 2 to 2-1/2 miles. At this time, FITZGERALD was 7 or 8 miles ahead and to the east of ANDERSON's heading, and the two vessels appeared to be on slightly converging courses.

At approximately 1340, CAPT Cooper of the ANDERSON talked with CAPT McSorley and said that he anticipated that the wind would shift to the northwest. He told CAPT McSorley that he intended to "haul" (i.e., change course) to the west, before passing Michipicoten Island, in order to keep the high winds and seas coming from astern. CAPT McSorley, whose vessel was just past Michipicoten, indicated that he would continue on, although his vessel was "rolling some." CAPT Cooper observed that FITZGERALD changed course after passing Michipicoten Island. The Second Mate observed that just before this course change, FITZGERALD was about 9 or 10 miles ahead and slightly to starboard. At 1445, ANDERSON logged a course change to pass clear of the 6-fathom shoal approximately four miles north of Caribou Island. By the time ANDERSON was steady on the new course, FITZGERALD was observed to be approximately 16 miles ahead, winds had increased to 42 knots from 315 degrees T, and it had started snowing. The ANDERSON lost sight of FITZGERALD and it was never seen again. At 1520, the Second Mate logged ANDERSON abeam of Michipicoten Island West End Light at a distance of 7.7 miles. The seas were beginning to build rapidly from the northwest.

CAPT Cooper thought his ship was being set down too close to Caribou Island, so he course to clear the 6-fathom shoal north of Caribou Island. After ANDERSON steadied on the 125 degree course, the Mate on watch observed that FITZGERALD was a little over 16 miles ahead of ANDERSON and a "shade" to the right of dead ahead. While ANDERSON was on this course, FITZGERALD was observed to have passed north and east of Caribou Island. CAPT Cooper testified later that he thought that FITZGERALD had passed close to the 6-fathom shoal north of Caribou Island. He also testified that he told the Mate on watch on ANDERSON that FITZGERALD was closer to this shoal

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