Before arriving in Duluth, I only associated the name with the brand behind Men’s Buck Naked Performance Boxer Briefs. Little did I know, the Minnesota town positioned along the western edge of Lake Superior held a deeper significance.
I delved into the area’s history at a local library in the twin city of Superior, Wisconsin. As I strolled along the stacks, I noticed a mural depicting a Great Lakes freighter engaged in a fierce battle with a raging tempest. Waves crashed over it with relentless force. Mesmerized by the drama, I noticed a name along the hull. It read, Edmond Fitzgerald.
I then recalled the tragic tale of a ship having been immortalized in singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot’s Number 2 hit of 1976. His ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald,” tells the tale of a vessel setting sail from this twin harbor of Duluth-Superior only to meet its demise in a horrendous storm, claiming the lives of all twenty-nine crew members.
The next day, I board the Vista Star for a harbor cruise. As we glide along, the narrator draws our attention to the Arthur M. Anderson, a sizable cargo vessel navigating ahead to our starboard side. To my astonishment, its elongated structure, forward pilot house, aft engine cabins, and livery, bore a striking resemblance to the Edmond Fitzgerald. Their similarities extended beyond appearances; they also shared a sorrowful tale.
On that fateful day, the Fitzerald left the Duluth-Superior harbor followed by the Anderson setting sale from nearby Two Harbors, Minnesota. Both ships steamed along a similar route filled with ore when Big Fitz sailed into a severe storm and met a tragic end. The Anderson reported the loss and was the first rescue ship on scene.
Three weeks later, I embarked on a narrated tour of the Milwaukee Central Library. As I wandered through its majestic limestone halls, I came across a detailed model of the Edmond Fitzgerald showcased in a special collection.
The serendipity of these interconnected events left me pondering the coincidences of life. If I hadn’t visited the Superior library, I would have missed the captivating mural. Had it not been for the suggestion of a helpful librarian, I wouldn’t have embarked on the harbor tour, leading to the encounter with the Arthur Anderson. But for the Milwaukee library, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon the model of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
It all left me wondering about the intricate connections that weave through our lives and how travel can serve as a conduit to profound experiences.