Nearly all Duluthians and Northlanders are familiar with the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, 50 years ago on Nov. 10, 1975, taking with it all 29 crew members. Many who were around when it happened and others have heard about it in various forums, including Gordon Lightfoot’s sorrowful but winsome popular song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," and the new book, “ The Gales of November: the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald ,” by John U. Bacon. The 464-page book provides a stellar account of what happened, why, and the ramifications. The notoriety of the demise of the 17-year-old vessel, as recounted in Bacon's book, is attributable, in part, to Lightfoot's ballad and other lore.

The silver anniversary of the sinking provides an opportune occasion to review some other notable

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