Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting at Split Rock Lighthouse – Two Harbors, MN

Nov 5, 2023 | events/locations

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting

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Split Rock Lighthouse: This annual event commemorates the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29 crew members on November 10th, 1975. It is also a time to reflect on the memory of all lives lost in Great Lakes shipwrecks.

The lighthouse, fog signal building, and visitor center will be open. Costumed interpreters will greet visitors and provide historic site and shipwreck information. Throughout the afternoon, visitors can view a film about the Edmund Fitzgerald in the visitor center.

At 4:30 pm, the lighthouse will close temporarily while the names of the crew members are read to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit, and the tower will be open again to tour.

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Beacon Lighting

For nearly 60 years, the light flashed each night at 10-second intervals across more than 20 miles of Lake Superior’s navigable waters. Today, U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit the light being used for maritime traffic, but the beacon is still turned on occasionally for ceremonial and maintenance purposes.

Learn more about Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

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Edmund Fitzgerald crew members

McSorley, Ernest M., Master
McCarthy, John H., 1st Mate
Pratt, James A., 2nd Mate
Armagost, Michael E., 3rd Mate
Holl, George J., Chief Engineer
Bindon, Edward F., 1st Asst. Engineer
Edwards, Thomas E., 2nd Asst. Engineer
Haskell, Russell G., 2nd Asst. Engineer
Champeau, Oliver J., 3rd Asst. Engineer
Beetcher, Frederick J., Porter
Bentsen, Thomas, Oiler
Borgeson, Thomas D., AB Maint. Man
Church, Nolan F., Porter
Cundy, Ransom E., Watchman
Hudson, Bruce L., Deckhand

Kalmon, Allen G., 2nd Cook
MacLellan, Gordon F., Wiper
Mazes, Joseph W., Spec. Maint. Man
O’Brien, Eugene W., Wheelsman
Peckol, Karl A., Watchman
Poviach, John J., Wheelsman
Rafferty, Robert C., Steward
Riippa, Paul M., Deckhand
Simmons, John D., Wheelsman
Spengler, William J., Watchman
Thomas, Mark A., Deckhand
Walton, Ralph G., Oiler
Weiss, David E., Cadet (Deck)
Wilhelm, Blaine H., Oiler

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