Re: Edmund Fitzgerald Sinking - New Information
Posted: December 18, 2021, 12:34 pm
Amen!
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The USCG had good reason to find cause beyond themselves having any blame. Whitefish point light and RDF, which at the time was used. Were both out because their backup generator did not work. The Fitz may have been able to help get a fix of their own if the RDF was working. Also the NTSB isn't always correct on everything. It's always amazing how those "desk' engineers are always correct, but the ones actually working in the field, crews are always at fault. If that were true there would never be a recall of anything built. It's moot point at this juncture and should be left to rest.Guest wrote:Well said! It is amazing how closed minded some people get when this subject comes up. Growing up during the 1970s I recall a pair of family acquaintances that both had a deep interest in Great Lakes shipping that found themselves on opposites sides of the argument as to whether the Coast Guard findings were right or wrong. These two had been friends for years but became so embittered that they would not talk to one another for the balance of their lives.Jared wrote:Really? This and several other examples beg to differ.up north George wrote:As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.
I want to read about other accounts from the bridge crew that night. And quite frankly I think the Coast Guard and the NTSB has far more experience in piecing together with accuracy about what happened that day than a crew 15 miles away. Other people who are not emotionally invested in the sinking can take a far more nuanced view to the events that transpired. Whatever did occur that day falls squarely on Captain McSorely's shoulders.
The USCG had good reason to find cause beyond themselves having any blame. Whitefish point light and RDF, which at the time was used. Were both out because their backup generator did not work. The Fitz may have been able to help get a fix of their own if the RDF was working. Also the NTSB isn't always correct on everything. It's always amazing how those "desk' engineers are always correct, but the ones actually working in the field, crews are always at fault. If that were true there would never be a recall of anything built. It's moot point at this juncture and should be left to rest.Guest wrote:Well said! It is amazing how closed minded some people get when this subject comes up. Growing up during the 1970s I recall a pair of family acquaintances that both had a deep interest in Great Lakes shipping that found themselves on opposites sides of the argument as to whether the Coast Guard findings were right or wrong. These two had been friends for years but became so embittered that they would not talk to one another for the balance of their lives.Jared wrote:Really? This and several other examples beg to differ.up north George wrote:As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.
I want to read about other accounts from the bridge crew that night. And quite frankly I think the Coast Guard and the NTSB has far more experience in piecing together with accuracy about what happened that day than a crew 15 miles away. Other people who are not emotionally invested in the sinking can take a far more nuanced view to the events that transpired. Whatever did occur that day falls squarely on Captain McSorely's shoulders.
Well said! It is amazing how closed minded some people get when this subject comes up. Growing up during the 1970s I recall a pair of family acquaintances that both had a deep interest in Great Lakes shipping that found themselves on opposites sides of the argument as to whether the Coast Guard findings were right or wrong. These two had been friends for years but became so embittered that they would not talk to one another for the balance of their lives.Jared wrote:Really? This and several other examples beg to differ.up north George wrote:As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.
I want to read about other accounts from the bridge crew that night. And quite frankly I think the Coast Guard and the NTSB has far more experience in piecing together with accuracy about what happened that day than a crew 15 miles away. Other people who are not emotionally invested in the sinking can take a far more nuanced view to the events that transpired. Whatever did occur that day falls squarely on Captain McSorely's shoulders.
I'm not questioning the abilities of the crew but rather the then current (1975) capabilities of these radars. Does anyone know the type and age of the Anderson's radar set(s) at the time in question?up north George wrote:As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.Guest wrote:For all practical purposes, Captain Cooper was not "there" but several miles away observing the Fitzgerald on radar. Yes, he and the crew of the Anderson were the closest witnesses to the Fitzgerald but they were not even close enough to visually observe the Fitzgerald during the time in question. My primary question about Cooper's claim about the Fitzgerald being too close to Caribou Island concerns the capabilities of the Anderson's radar set in providing accurate data in those sea conditions to make such a determination. It is likely this radar system was configured to provide navigational data with the Anderson as its focal point. Based on this, what was its ability to accurately plot the distance between one moving return (Fitzgerald) and one stationary return (Caribou Island) from the Anderson's position that was also in motion? Without a recorded history of these tracks, I don't see how a detailed assessment can be made other than relying on what boils down to be Cooper's educated opinion of what he observed. I'm no radar expert but even from a basic standpoint, it seems reasonable to believe the radar sets in use aboard the Anderson in 1975 were optimized to measure the distance and bearings of returns in relation to the Anderson and not to accurately measure the distances and bearings of these returns between each other. Furthermore, it also seems that the weather conditions would also play a role in preventing an accurate assessment of the actual distance between the Fitzgerald and Caribou Island during its closest passage especially from observations without the benefit of an accurate reconstruction of data.Denny wrote:I too have always been a firm believer that she struck the shoal in or near Caribou Island. Aside from all the reports of her possibly striking the shoal area, I think the closest thing we have at that time is from Anderson’s skipper Bernie Cooper. As we all know, he and the crew of the Anderson followed the Fitz and had them on radar after they lost visual contact in the snow. It was about 2:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon on November 10 that they lost site of the Fitz. At that point they were both near Caribou Island. Cooper said in an interview that it was about 3:10 p.m. on the 10th give or take that the Fitz reported their first signs of trouble to the Anderson. I guess what I’m trying to say is Cooper was there and saw the Fitz on radar closer to Caribou then he wanted his own ship the Anderson to be plus he tried to bypass the shoal area as to not come in too close to it. Finally, I also believe at the end that the large rogue waves eventually caught up to the Fitz thus driving her to the end and then sinking. That’s just my thoughts and theory on this!
I'm not trying to downplay or take away from Captain Cooper's assertions as he was a highly experienced mariner and he may in fact be totally correct in this belief. However, it must be said that to rely entirely upon this evidence alone also means that it must also be accepted that Captain McSorely, with his several decades of experience, somehow allowed his ship to be put into danger by passing too close to Caribou Island. Although a definite possibility, I find that somewhat difficult to believe as it seems to be the maritime equivalent of using "pilot error" to explain mysterious airplane crashes. It is interesting, however, that it seemed that Fitzgerald's troubles really began after passing through this area. Unfortunately, the only people that were actually "there" are also the ones that were lost with the Fitzgerald.
Give me two seperate radar fixes on the same object at two different times and I can tell you her course and speed and relation to fixed objects/points of land using just a radar plotting sheet, a dividers, a triangle, and a pencil. Any navigator could, it's basic radar 101. Even a cadet can do it from a moving ship.Guest wrote:For all practical purposes, Captain Cooper was not "there" but several miles away observing the Fitzgerald on radar. Yes, he and the crew of the Anderson were the closest witnesses to the Fitzgerald but they were not even close enough to visually observe the Fitzgerald during the time in question. My primary question about Cooper's claim about the Fitzgerald being too close to Caribou Island concerns the capabilities of the Anderson's radar set in providing accurate data in those sea conditions to make such a determination. It is likely this radar system was configured to provide navigational data with the Anderson as its focal point. Based on this, what was its ability to accurately plot the distance between one moving return (Fitzgerald) and one stationary return (Caribou Island) from the Anderson's position that was also in motion? Without a recorded history of these tracks, I don't see how a detailed assessment can be made other than relying on what boils down to be Cooper's educated opinion of what he observed. I'm no radar expert but even from a basic standpoint, it seems reasonable to believe the radar sets in use aboard the Anderson in 1975 were optimized to measure the distance and bearings of returns in relation to the Anderson and not to accurately measure the distances and bearings of these returns between each other. Furthermore, it also seems that the weather conditions would also play a role in preventing an accurate assessment of the actual distance between the Fitzgerald and Caribou Island during its closest passage especially from observations without the benefit of an accurate reconstruction of data.Denny wrote:I too have always been a firm believer that she struck the shoal in or near Caribou Island. Aside from all the reports of her possibly striking the shoal area, I think the closest thing we have at that time is from Anderson’s skipper Bernie Cooper. As we all know, he and the crew of the Anderson followed the Fitz and had them on radar after they lost visual contact in the snow. It was about 2:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon on November 10 that they lost site of the Fitz. At that point they were both near Caribou Island. Cooper said in an interview that it was about 3:10 p.m. on the 10th give or take that the Fitz reported their first signs of trouble to the Anderson. I guess what I’m trying to say is Cooper was there and saw the Fitz on radar closer to Caribou then he wanted his own ship the Anderson to be plus he tried to bypass the shoal area as to not come in too close to it. Finally, I also believe at the end that the large rogue waves eventually caught up to the Fitz thus driving her to the end and then sinking. That’s just my thoughts and theory on this!
I'm not trying to downplay or take away from Captain Cooper's assertions as he was a highly experienced mariner and he may in fact be totally correct in this belief. However, it must be said that to rely entirely upon this evidence alone also means that it must also be accepted that Captain McSorely, with his several decades of experience, somehow allowed his ship to be put into danger by passing too close to Caribou Island. Although a definite possibility, I find that somewhat difficult to believe as it seems to be the maritime equivalent of using "pilot error" to explain mysterious airplane crashes. It is interesting, however, that it seemed that Fitzgerald's troubles really began after passing through this area. Unfortunately, the only people that were actually "there" are also the ones that were lost with the Fitzgerald.
Really? This and several other examples beg to differ.up north George wrote:As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.
As you stated you are no expert. I would say Captain Cooper with advanced Radar training as all Captains with an unlimited license are experts. They use experienced Maters as expert witnesses all the time. Also with years of experience. His and his Mates at that time also experienced and trained individuals would be able to make a pretty accurate assessment. Radar is used all the time to take fixes and give accurate positions.Guest wrote:For all practical purposes, Captain Cooper was not "there" but several miles away observing the Fitzgerald on radar. Yes, he and the crew of the Anderson were the closest witnesses to the Fitzgerald but they were not even close enough to visually observe the Fitzgerald during the time in question. My primary question about Cooper's claim about the Fitzgerald being too close to Caribou Island concerns the capabilities of the Anderson's radar set in providing accurate data in those sea conditions to make such a determination. It is likely this radar system was configured to provide navigational data with the Anderson as its focal point. Based on this, what was its ability to accurately plot the distance between one moving return (Fitzgerald) and one stationary return (Caribou Island) from the Anderson's position that was also in motion? Without a recorded history of these tracks, I don't see how a detailed assessment can be made other than relying on what boils down to be Cooper's educated opinion of what he observed. I'm no radar expert but even from a basic standpoint, it seems reasonable to believe the radar sets in use aboard the Anderson in 1975 were optimized to measure the distance and bearings of returns in relation to the Anderson and not to accurately measure the distances and bearings of these returns between each other. Furthermore, it also seems that the weather conditions would also play a role in preventing an accurate assessment of the actual distance between the Fitzgerald and Caribou Island during its closest passage especially from observations without the benefit of an accurate reconstruction of data.Denny wrote:I too have always been a firm believer that she struck the shoal in or near Caribou Island. Aside from all the reports of her possibly striking the shoal area, I think the closest thing we have at that time is from Anderson’s skipper Bernie Cooper. As we all know, he and the crew of the Anderson followed the Fitz and had them on radar after they lost visual contact in the snow. It was about 2:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon on November 10 that they lost site of the Fitz. At that point they were both near Caribou Island. Cooper said in an interview that it was about 3:10 p.m. on the 10th give or take that the Fitz reported their first signs of trouble to the Anderson. I guess what I’m trying to say is Cooper was there and saw the Fitz on radar closer to Caribou then he wanted his own ship the Anderson to be plus he tried to bypass the shoal area as to not come in too close to it. Finally, I also believe at the end that the large rogue waves eventually caught up to the Fitz thus driving her to the end and then sinking. That’s just my thoughts and theory on this!
I'm not trying to downplay or take away from Captain Cooper's assertions as he was a highly experienced mariner and he may in fact be totally correct in this belief. However, it must be said that to rely entirely upon this evidence alone also means that it must also be accepted that Captain McSorely, with his several decades of experience, somehow allowed his ship to be put into danger by passing too close to Caribou Island. Although a definite possibility, I find that somewhat difficult to believe as it seems to be the maritime equivalent of using "pilot error" to explain mysterious airplane crashes. It is interesting, however, that it seemed that Fitzgerald's troubles really began after passing through this area. Unfortunately, the only people that were actually "there" are also the ones that were lost with the Fitzgerald.
For all practical purposes, Captain Cooper was not "there" but several miles away observing the Fitzgerald on radar. Yes, he and the crew of the Anderson were the closest witnesses to the Fitzgerald but they were not even close enough to visually observe the Fitzgerald during the time in question. My primary question about Cooper's claim about the Fitzgerald being too close to Caribou Island concerns the capabilities of the Anderson's radar set in providing accurate data in those sea conditions to make such a determination. It is likely this radar system was configured to provide navigational data with the Anderson as its focal point. Based on this, what was its ability to accurately plot the distance between one moving return (Fitzgerald) and one stationary return (Caribou Island) from the Anderson's position that was also in motion? Without a recorded history of these tracks, I don't see how a detailed assessment can be made other than relying on what boils down to be Cooper's educated opinion of what he observed. I'm no radar expert but even from a basic standpoint, it seems reasonable to believe the radar sets in use aboard the Anderson in 1975 were optimized to measure the distance and bearings of returns in relation to the Anderson and not to accurately measure the distances and bearings of these returns between each other. Furthermore, it also seems that the weather conditions would also play a role in preventing an accurate assessment of the actual distance between the Fitzgerald and Caribou Island during its closest passage especially from observations without the benefit of an accurate reconstruction of data.Denny wrote:I too have always been a firm believer that she struck the shoal in or near Caribou Island. Aside from all the reports of her possibly striking the shoal area, I think the closest thing we have at that time is from Anderson’s skipper Bernie Cooper. As we all know, he and the crew of the Anderson followed the Fitz and had them on radar after they lost visual contact in the snow. It was about 2:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon on November 10 that they lost site of the Fitz. At that point they were both near Caribou Island. Cooper said in an interview that it was about 3:10 p.m. on the 10th give or take that the Fitz reported their first signs of trouble to the Anderson. I guess what I’m trying to say is Cooper was there and saw the Fitz on radar closer to Caribou then he wanted his own ship the Anderson to be plus he tried to bypass the shoal area as to not come in too close to it. Finally, I also believe at the end that the large rogue waves eventually caught up to the Fitz thus driving her to the end and then sinking. That’s just my thoughts and theory on this!
I haven't read much about the Bradley sinking, but I recently read from the Coast Guard report, that other than the Cristian Sartori, all other boats in northern Lake Michigan at the time had taken shelter and at least 8 had anchored in Green Bay, Garden Island, or the Straits.Bob wrote:Why didn’t either or both of these ships take shelter in Thunder Bay instead of trying to make whitefish bay?