Queen of the Lakes
On this day in history, we celebrate a ship that captured the imagination of Great Lakes boat watchers and maritime enthusiasts from the moment she hit the water: the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, launched on June 7, 1958, in River Rouge, Michigan.
Commissioned by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Edmund Fitzgerald was no ordinary ore boat. At 729 feet long and with a deadweight capacity of 26,000 tons, she was the largest ship on the Great Lakes at the time and the first built to the exact maximum dimensions allowed through the Saint Lawrence Seaway. She earned the title “Queen of the Lakes”—a nickname reserved for the biggest, boldest ship navigating North America’s inland seas. She kept the nickname until September 17, 1959, when the 730-foot SS Murray Bay was launched.
Not a Typical Launch
The launch was dramatic, to say the least. More than 15,000 spectators gathered for the event. Elizabeth Fitzgerald, wife of the ship’s namesake, struggled to break the ceremonial champagne bottle—needing three tries. Then came a 36-minute delay as the shipyard crew wrestled with the keel blocks. When she finally launched sideways, the Fitzgerald sent a wave crashing into the crowd and struck a pier before righting herself. Some onlookers claimed the ship seemed almost too powerful for the river, like she was trying to climb out of the water. The omens were noted, but the moment was unforgettable.
The Fitzgerald wasn’t just a marvel of size—she was a floating symbol of comfort and class. Her interiors, designed by the J.L. Hudson Company, featured air-conditioned crew quarters, tiled bathrooms, plush lounges, and even leather swivel chairs. Passengers could enjoy two private staterooms and gourmet meals from a well-stocked pantry and galley. Her state-of-the-art pilothouse included a beautiful map room and the latest navigation tech of the time.
But it was her workhorse reputation that truly cemented her place in Great Lakes lore. Over 17 years, she hauled millions of tons of taconite iron ore from the mines near Duluth to steel mills in Detroit, Toledo, and beyond—setting seasonal haul records six times, often breaking her own.
Rock Star
Captain Peter Pulcer, one of her most beloved commanders, became known for playing music over the ship’s loudspeakers and offering commentary as the Fitzgerald passed through the St. Clair and Detroit rivers or the Soo Locks. Crowds gathered to watch, wave, and listen. She was a rock star in freighter form—one part industrial powerhouse, one part floating concert.
Though the Fitzgerald’s final voyage ended in tragedy in November 1975, it’s worth remembering that she spent nearly two decades as a shining example of maritime innovation, resilience, and style. The ship inspired pride not only in the people who worked aboard her but also in the communities she served.
Today, we honor her not just for how she was lost—but for all she accomplished while she was afloat.
Wat the Launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald below:
