Changes

==Background==

==Background==

''Edmund Fitzgerald'' was launched on June 7, 1958, from the Great Lakes Engineering Works at River Rouge, MI, a suburb on the south side of Detroit. She was owned by the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and named after the company's newly-elected chairman of the board. The Oglebay-Norton Company of Cleveland, Ohio chartered her under a long-term contract from Northwestern.

''Edmund Fitzgerald'' was launched on June 7, 1958, from the Great Lakes Engineering Works at River Rouge, MI, a suburb on the south side of Detroit. She was owned by the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and named after the company's newly elected chairman of the board. The Oglebay-Norton Company of Cleveland, Ohio chartered her under a long-term contract from Northwestern.

At the time of her launch the ''Fitzgerald'' was the largest ore carrier on the Great Lakes, and remained so until 1971. She weighed 13,632 tons and measured 729 feet long by 75 feet wide. Fully loaded, the ''Fitzgerald'' was capable of carrying 27,500 tons, powered by a 7,500 horsepower steam turbine engine that could move her along at up to 17 knots. In 1964 ''Edmund Fitzgerald'' became the first carrier to haul more than one million tons of iron ore pellets (taconite) through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, earning her the nicknames the "Big Fitz" and "The Pride of the American Flag". Sailors considered themselves privileged to serve aboard her.

At the time of her launch the ''Fitzgerald'' was the largest ore carrier on the Great Lakes, and remained so until 1971. She weighed 13,632 tons and measured 729 feet long by 75 feet wide. Fully loaded, the ''Fitzgerald'' was capable of carrying 27,500 tons, powered by a 7,500 horsepower steam turbine engine that could move her along at up to 17 knots. In 1964 ''Edmund Fitzgerald'' became the first carrier to haul more than one million tons of iron ore pellets (taconite) through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, earning her the nicknames the "Big Fitz" and "The Pride of the American Flag". Sailors considered themselves privileged to serve aboard her.

Since ''Fitzgerald'' never called for help and the ship?s lifeboats were found badly damaged—indicating they were never launched but instead smashed while still secured to the ship-the Coast Guard determined the ship sank abruptly. The Coast Guard concluded these were the primary factors that caused ''Fitzgerald'' to sink:

Since ''Fitzgerald'' never called for help and the ship?s lifeboats were found badly damaged—indicating they were never launched but instead smashed while still secured to the ship-the Coast Guard determined the ship sank abruptly. The Coast Guard concluded these were the primary factors that caused ''Fitzgerald'' to sink:

*''Fitzgerald'' sat very low in the water, increasing the frequency and quantity of water that could flood the deck.  

*''Fitzgerald'' sat very low in the water, increasing the frequency and quantity of water that could flood the deck.  

*The loose hatch covers allowed water spilling onboard to enter the cargo area, causing the ship to sink even lower and take on more and more water.  

*The loose hatch covers allowed water spilling on board to enter the cargo area, causing the ship to sink even lower and take on more and more water.  

*More water could have entered through damage in the hull caused by the possible grounding near Caribou Island.

*More water could have entered through damage in the hull caused by the possible grounding near Caribou Island.