50th Anniversary Swim to Honor Edmund Fitzgerald’s Final Voyage

It’s hard to believe, but this year marks 50 years since the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald—one of the most haunting maritime disasters in Great Lakes history. On November 10, 1975, the massive freighter vanished in the depths of Lake Superior during a brutal storm, taking all 29 crew members with it. The ship had been en route to Detroit carrying over 26,000 tons of iron ore when it went down, leaving a lasting legacy of sorrow and mystery.

Completing The Big Fitz's Journey: 411 Miles by Water

To honor the lives lost and commemorate the vessel’s intended journey, a unique event is being launched: the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim. Instead of completing the voyage by ship, a relay team of 68 open-water swimmers will complete the freighter’s route—from the wreck site in Lake Superior all the way to Detroit.

Covering a total of 411 miles, the journey has been divided into 17 stages, with four swimmers assigned to each stage. Each swimmer will take on a grueling stretch of cold, open Great Lakes water. While no one swimmer could handle the entire distance alone, this team effort reflects unity, strength, and remembrance.

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The swimmers won’t just be retracing the route; they’ll be symbolically delivering the ship’s final cargo. Small iron ore pellets—sourced from the very same dock in Superior, Wisconsin, where the Edmund Fitzgerald last loaded up—will be handed off between swimmers from start to finish.

The relay will end in Detroit, where the final group of swimmers will deliver the symbolic cargo to city dignitaries during the annual Mariners' Memorial Service at the historic Mariners’ Church of Detroit. In keeping with tradition, the church bell will be rung 29 times—once for each crew member lost.

Edmond Fitzgerald Memorial Swim to Be Featured in Documentary

This extraordinary tribute will also be captured on film as part of an upcoming documentary about the Edmund Fitzgerald and its legacy. The swim not only pays homage to the past but also reminds us of the enduring power of remembrance and community spirit.

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