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Quiz about The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Quiz

The wreck of the ship Edmund Fitzgerald is not the worst tragedy in maritime history, but Gordon Lightfoot's haunting ballad brought fame to its mysterious sinking.

A multiple-choice quiz by mollygrue. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
mollygrue

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
77,939

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1855

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: gibbysgab (7/10), Guest 76 (6/10), Guest 69 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When did the Edmund Fitzgerald sink? Hint

December 5, 1963

September 24, 1988

October 21, 1980

November 10, 1975

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many tons of iron ore was the Fitzgerald hauling when it sank? Hint

26,116

5,973

15,465

10,249

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Question 3 of 10

3. Where was the Fitzgerald coming from after picking up her load? Hint

Cleveland, Ohio

Toronto, Canada

Detroit, Michigan

Superior, Wisconsin

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where was the Fitzgerald headed before it sank? Hint

Detroit, Michigan

Cleveland, Ohio

Superior, Wisconsin

Toronto, Canada

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the time of its sinking? Hint

Arthur Anderson

Jesse Cooper

James Stubing

Ernest McSorley

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Question 6 of 10

6. At 7:10 pm one last communication was heard from the captain of the Fitzgerald. What did he say? Hint

'Tell my wife I love her.'

'I don't think we're going to make it.'

'We are holding our own.'

'The bow is under water.'

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Question 7 of 10

7. When the storm started getting bad the captain headed for the safety of Whitefish Bay. How far was the Fitzgerald from safety when it sank? Hint

18 miles

17 miles

12 miles

14 miles

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Question 8 of 10

8. How many lives were lost aboard the Fitzgerald? Hint

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Question 9 of 10

9. True or False: There is a memorial service held every year in honor of the men who died on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. One piece of the Fitzgerald was brought up from the wreckage as a memorial to the families of the men who were lost. What was it? Hint

A Lifeboat

The Steering Wheel

The Bell

Part of the Railing

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 16 2024 : gibbysgab: 7/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 76: 6/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 69: 7/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 172: 9/10
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 192: 8/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 50: 10/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 165: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When did the Edmund Fitzgerald sink?

Answer: November 10, 1975

'The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they call Gitchie Gumee. The lake it is said never gives up her dead when the skies of November turn gloomy.'

2. How many tons of iron ore was the Fitzgerald hauling when it sank?

Answer: 26,116

'With a load of iron ore 26,000 tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty. The good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed when the winds of November came early.'

3. Where was the Fitzgerald coming from after picking up her load?

Answer: Superior, Wisconsin

'The ship was the pride of the American side, coming back from some mill in Wisconsin. As big freighters go it was bigger than most, with a crew and good captain well seasoned.'

4. Where was the Fitzgerald headed before it sank?

Answer: Detroit, Michigan

'Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms when they left fully loaded for Cleveland.' (Mr. Lightfoot made a little boo boo, the ship was headed to Detroit)

5. Who was the captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the time of its sinking?

Answer: Ernest McSorley

Sadly Captain Earnest McSorley had decided that this was to be his last trip before he retired.

6. At 7:10 pm one last communication was heard from the captain of the Fitzgerald. What did he say?

Answer: 'We are holding our own.'

The sinking of the Fitzgerald happened so suddenly that many believe the crew never knew what happened until it was too late.

7. When the storm started getting bad the captain headed for the safety of Whitefish Bay. How far was the Fitzgerald from safety when it sank?

Answer: 17 miles

The ship was only 17 miles from a safe habor, we know this because the Arthur M. Anderson, the ship the Fitzgerald was following, made it there and weathered the storm.

8. How many lives were lost aboard the Fitzgerald?

Answer: 29

The entire crew of 29 men died on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

9. True or False: There is a memorial service held every year in honor of the men who died on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Answer: True

'In a must old hall in Detroit they prayed, in the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral. The church bell chimed 'til it rang 29 times for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald' Services are still held every year at the Mariner's Church in Detroit, Michigan.

10. One piece of the Fitzgerald was brought up from the wreckage as a memorial to the families of the men who were lost. What was it?

Answer: The Bell

At the request of family members surviving her crew, Fitzgerald's 200 lb. bronze bell was recovered by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society on July 4, 1995. The bell is now on display in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum as a memorial to her lost crew. (The lifeboats were found shortly after the ship sank, they were not brought up from the wreckage.)

Source: Author mollygrue

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