The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald with John U. Bacon | Chasing Curiosity and Sharing Boundless Insights from Ideas that Matter

Today, we talk to John U. Bacon, bestselling author of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

This story gripped me in a way I didn’t expect. Like a lot of people, I knew the Gordon Lightfoot song — I’d sung it around campfires and strummed it on my guitar — but I had no idea how much more there was to the story until I picked up John's book.

He spent years talking to the families of the 29 men who were lost that night in 1975, and what he uncovered is not just a story of a shipwreck — it’s a story of sacrifice, silence, courage, and legacy.

We talk about the night the Fitzgerald went down, the myths and facts surrounding the wreck, the power of Gordon Lightfoot’s songwriting, and the heartbreaking and beautiful stories of the men on board. I learned a lot, felt even more, and I think you will too.

Please enjoy, John Bacon.

Key Takeaways

The Edmund Fitzgerald isn’t just a shipwreck — it’s a human story: John interviewed 14 families of the 29 crew members, many of whom had never spoken to a writer before. Their stories bring the tragedy to life in a deeply personal way.

The Gordon Lightfoot song changed everything: Without “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” this story might have been forgotten. Lightfoot’s first-ever performance of the song — captured by accident in the studio — is still the version we hear today.

The Great Lakes are more dangerous than the ocean: Local storms, sharp waves, and shallow shoals make the lakes uniquely treacherous. Sailors face 60-foot waves with just 11 feet of clearance from deck to water.

Shipping is essential — and invisible: The Fitzgerald and ships like it carried the raw materials that built North America’s cars, homes, and infrastructure. Yet most people know almost nothing about the lives of the sailors.

Heroism doesn’t always come with survival: The Arthur Anderson, the ship following the Fitzgerald, turned around and went back into the storm at the Coast Guard’s request — a nearly unthinkable act of courage.

A flawed map may have played a role: The Fitzgerald was likely using outdated charts with shoal locations that had shifted by more than a mile — potentially contributing to the ship’s damage and eventual sinking.

The tragedy led to lasting change: There hasn’t been a major Great Lakes shipwreck since the Fitzgerald. It changed safety standards and remains a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

These men are not forgotten: From tattoos to scholarships to grandchildren who carry on their names, the legacy of the 29 lives lost lives on — through this book, through the song, and through the families who still feel the waves.

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Links & Resources

John’s website: https://johnubacon.com/

Books by John: https://johnubacon.com/books/

John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-u-bacon-6359302