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Quiz about Shipwreck SS Edmund Fitzgerald

Shipwreck - S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Quiz

There are many mysteries surrounding the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and with no survivors, those mysteries will remain unsolved. Enjoy the quiz!

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

Author
dmbfanatic

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
110,763

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
848

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What company built the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Bethlehem Steel

Great Lakes Engineering Works

Newport News Shipping

General Electric Boat Works

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Question 2 of 10

2. On what date was the Edmund Fitzgerald named and launched? Hint

June 8, 1958

June 8, 1957

July 8, 1958

June 8, 1959

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which theory is maintained in the "Marine Casualty Report" by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board as contributing to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Ineffective cargo hatch closures

Stress fracture

Shoaling or bottoming out on Six Fathom Shoal

Three Sisters wave phenomenon

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the nickname given to the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Steel Lunker

Big Ed

Iron Maiden

Big Fitz

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Question 5 of 10

5. What company was responsible for operation of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Zug Island Terminal Warehousing Authority

Lake Superior Warehousing Company

Ogelbay Norton

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many tons of taconite was the Edmund Fitzgerald hauling at the time of its sinking? Hint

27,000

13,632

25,000

26,116

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the skipper of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the time of its sinking? Hint

Captain Bert Lambert

Captain Bernie Cooper

Captain Ernest McSorley

Captain Peter Pulcer

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Question 8 of 10

8. On what date did the Fitzgerald go down? Hint

November 10, 1975

December 10, 1975

October 10, 1975

November 10, 1976

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Question 9 of 10

9. In what body of water did the Edmund Fitzgerald go down? Hint

Lake Michigan

Whitefish Bay

Lake Superior

Copper Harbor

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the last known radio transmission from the Edmund Fitzgerald? Hint

"We are holding our own."

"May day!"

"We are sinking!"

"We need help fast."

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What company built the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Great Lakes Engineering Works

The Edmund Fitzgerald was given hull number 301. It was originally built as a "coal burner", but it was retrofitted as an oil burner during the winter layup of 1971-72.

2. On what date was the Edmund Fitzgerald named and launched?

Answer: June 8, 1958

At the time of her naming and launching, the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest freighter on the Great Lakes at 729 feet.

3. Which theory is maintained in the "Marine Casualty Report" by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board as contributing to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Ineffective cargo hatch closures

Amateurs and experts hold differing opinions as to why the Edmund Fitzgerald went down so quickly. Of all the theories, the only one to be ruled out by physical investigation is the Six Fathom Shoal theory. All other theories are equally plausible.

4. What was the nickname given to the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Big Fitz

This was a term of affection given to the Edmund Fitzgerald by sailors and "land lubbers" alike.

5. What company was responsible for operation of the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: Ogelbay Norton

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Ogelbay Norton is still in operation. In Gordon Lightfoot's ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", the song states that the ship was heading for Cleveland. Actually, it was heading for Zug Island, Detroit, and then Cleveland.

6. How many tons of taconite was the Edmund Fitzgerald hauling at the time of its sinking?

Answer: 26,116

Taconite is a ball or pellet of iron ore used in the steel smelting process. The cargo on the Edmund Fitzgerald was to be delivered and off-loaded at Zug Island in Detroit, Michigan.

7. Who was the skipper of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the time of its sinking?

Answer: Captain Ernest McSorley

Captain Cooper skippered the Arthur M. Anderson. Captain Pulcer
skippered the Edmund Fitzgerald circa 1966. Captain Lambert was the first skipper of the Edmund Fitzgerald when she was launched in 1958. Sadly, Captain McSorley planned to retire after his fateful season on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

8. On what date did the Fitzgerald go down?

Answer: November 10, 1975

All 29 members of her crew were lost. Evidence and investigation has revealed that no life boats were launched; and whatever happened, came with little or no warning. Theories abound as to whether or not the crew knew of their peril.

9. In what body of water did the Edmund Fitzgerald go down?

Answer: Lake Superior

Lake Superior was known to the Indians as "Gitchee Gumee" or "Big Lake". The Edmund Fitzgerald lies in 530 feet of water, approximately 17 miles from Whitefish Point, Michigan.

10. What was the last known radio transmission from the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Answer: "We are holding our own."

This is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. What happened, so suddenly, that the crew could not muster a distress call?

Source: Author dmbfanatic

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