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Quiz about Edmund Big Fitz Fitzgerald Factoids

Edmund "Big Fitz" Fitzgerald Factoids Quiz

See how much you know about the most talked about sinking on the Great Lakes.

A multiple-choice quiz by jpdubl07. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
jpdubl07

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
251,540

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
396

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How many feet of water does the Edmund Fitzgerald rest in at the bottom of Lake Superior? Hint

530

430

830

630

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Edmund Fitzgerald now lies in United States waters.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company contracted Great Lakes Engineering Works to build the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1957. For whom did Northwestern name the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Their CEO

The CFO

Their Founder

Their President and Chairman of the Board

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Question 4 of 10

4. How were the Edmund Fitzgerald's engines originally powered? Hint

Electric

Gasoline

Coal

Oil

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many watertight hatches did the Edmund Fitzgerald have for loading cargo? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. What other ship joined the Fitzgerald on her journey from Superior, Wisconsin to Zug Island near Detroit, Michigan? Hint

Ernest M. McSorley

Sir Isaac Newton

Arthur M. Anderson

Superior Lady

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many times did Mariner's Church ring its bell the day after the Fitzgerald sank as a tribute to the fallen vessel? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. Prior to her sinking on November 10, 1975, how many accidents/incidents had the Fitz been involved in? Hint

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Question 9 of 10

9. What bad omen occurred prior the launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Caught fire during construction

Champagne Bottle did not break at her christening

Petroleum Leak while docked prior to launch

4 workers died during construction

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following items is on display at the Great Lakes Ship Wreck Museum in Whitefish Point near Paradise, Michigan? Hint

The ship's Bell

The ship's Steering Wheel

The ship's Horn

The ship's Anchor

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How many feet of water does the Edmund Fitzgerald rest in at the bottom of Lake Superior?

Answer: 530

The wreckage lies in 530 feet of water in 2 pieces. The bow lies upright in the mud, while the stern lays face down about 170 feet away from the bow. The ship broke almost perfectly in half with the bow section measuring 276 feet and the stern about 253 feet.

2. The Edmund Fitzgerald now lies in United States waters.

Answer: False

The wreckage actually lies in Canadian waters in Lake Superior. The site of the wreck lies very close to the US/Canadian border according to most nautical charts and maps.

3. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company contracted Great Lakes Engineering Works to build the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1957. For whom did Northwestern name the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Their President and Chairman of the Board

Northwestern announced their decision to name the boat for their President and Chairman of the Board, Edmund Fitzgerald, whose father had been a lake captain.

4. How were the Edmund Fitzgerald's engines originally powered?

Answer: Coal

The boat's engines were originally coal-fired, but would be converted to burn oil during 1971-72.

5. How many watertight hatches did the Edmund Fitzgerald have for loading cargo?

Answer: 21

Her large cargo hold was loaded through twenty-one watertight hatches, each measuring 11'-7" by 54' of 5/16" steel. Failure of these "watertight" hatches would later be one of the leading theories for why the Fitz went down.

6. What other ship joined the Fitzgerald on her journey from Superior, Wisconsin to Zug Island near Detroit, Michigan?

Answer: Arthur M. Anderson

The Arthur M. Anderson was destined for Gary, Indiana and joined with the Fitzgerald along the way. The Fitz, being faster, took the lead with the Anderson not far behind. It would be the Anderson who would radio in to the Coast Guard that the Fitz had disappeared from its radar.

7. How many times did Mariner's Church ring its bell the day after the Fitzgerald sank as a tribute to the fallen vessel?

Answer: 29

There were 29 crew members aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald when it was lost. The church bell rang once for each of them. The church continues to hold an annual memorial for those lost that includes the reading of the names of the perished crew members and the ringing of the bell that same 29 times.

8. Prior to her sinking on November 10, 1975, how many accidents/incidents had the Fitz been involved in?

Answer: 5

The Fitzgerald ran aground in 1969, collided with the S.S. Hochelaga in 1970, and struck the wall of a lock later in 1970. She also struck the wall of a lock in 1973 and 1974.

9. What bad omen occurred prior the launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Champagne Bottle did not break at her christening

While each of these would have been bad, it took Mrs. Fitzgerald 3 swings to break the champagne bottle. This is typically viewed as a bad omen for vessels at their christening. The Fitz also hit the dock during its launch, and one of the onlookers suffered a heart attack as well.

10. Which of the following items is on display at the Great Lakes Ship Wreck Museum in Whitefish Point near Paradise, Michigan?

Answer: The ship's Bell

The Bell was recovered on July 4, 1995. Other items on display at various maritime museums include the #2 lifeboat, photos, and countless movies, models, and paintings.

Source: Author jpdubl07

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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