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Official
50 Year Anniversary
Post Card
E
mail us your address and
we will send you one. E
mail us ......Free
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SPECIAL
PROGRAM
November 10, 2008
Detroit, Michigan
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Special
Program set for November 10, 2008
Detroit, Michigan
E
mail us your address so we can send you the special program
information.
50 Year Launch Anniversary & 33 Year Lost Anniversary
1958-2008 and 1975-2008
Shipyard Workers - Family Members
- Dive Teams - Ship Designers
Book Writers - Movies Directory - Ship Captains
Pictures - 8 mm Videos
Free Printed Keepsakes
Workshops - Displays
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Click
on drawing to enlarge view
Hull # 301 - Midship Section
| Hi
Roscoe
If you go
to the web and below the midship drawing, you will see a photo
of a interbottom section suspended from a crane. You will see
the floors and side keelsons were scalloped. which is typical,
were they came in contact with the shell. They were welded all
the way around, Only the water tight bulkheads and center vertical
(CVK) were welded continuous. both sides.
The bottom
shell plating was prefabricated on plattens on the ground, in
the flat position, using the automactic machine subarc process.
These section were then placed on the building ways and the
transverse butts were welded, In most cases the root pass manuel
and the balance by machine. The underside of the joint was remove
by pnuematic chipper, to clean material and manual welded overhead.
This was all completed before the inter bottom sections were
in place. This was to control longitudinal shrinkage. This was
typical of the spar deck to as soon as enough structure was
erected to support it. It was not welded last. The same was
typical of the side shell with the longitudinal joint bettween
the side tank sections and the structure above the main deck
which was the closing seam.
It took
constant observalance of the ships movement during construction
to control this distortion buy balancing and placement of the
welders.
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Though
RAS was not the designer of the EDMUND FITZGERALD, we did
design several modifications to the vessel. In 1966 we did a study
for Oglebay Norton to lengthen the vessel. This was never done.
In 1968 we did the engineering to install a bow thruster that
winter. In 1969, RAS was asked to investigate the continuing failure
of the longitudinal keelsons attachment to the bottom shell plate.
Each year a survey would show cracks in the weld of the center
vertical keel (CVK) to the bottom shell. These cracks would be
gouged out and re-welded only to show the same cracks in the following
years. Full Story |
50 Years at 12:38 pm
WDET
News
Fitzgerald Builders Celebrate
Its 50th Birthday
Jun 8, 2008
General - Link
to Audio
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Bath Towel from
the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
was on display at
the 50 Year Anniversary
in Michigan.
Special
Thanks:
Jeff G. & Michelle R. Burgner
(Son & Granddaughter of George "Red" Burgner)
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One of the
last runs for the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald 1975
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Hi
Roscoe, Just got thru looking at the CD Gene gave me. The pics
are SO moving. I was so excited to relive that special time.
I also wanted to share with you my gratitude for all you did
for us. The whole event was very special and I will put it in
my most important things I have ever done regarding the FITZ.
On Wednesday I will be speaking at the Abilene Public library
about the event. I am happy to be able to share my great time
with everyone and invite them to enjoy this website. It is fun
to learn all we can and I hope your desire to continue to search
for the truths that are out there will be positive and informative.
From the Robert Rafferty family.
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Greetings!
I found
your email address on the ssEdmundFitzgerald.com website. My
name is Kathryn (Wojtylko) and I am contacting you on behalf
of my dad, Edward Sr., of Trenton, MI. We attended the Edmund
Fitzgerald 50th Commemoration event at Lake Erie Metropark on
Saturday June 7. My dad worked as a carpenter leader, until
the shipyard closed down, in, I believe it was 1961(?) He helped
to launch the Fitzgerald on June 7th, 1958, along with the many
other members of the construction crew, that also included my
late uncle, Wilfred (Willie), of Taylor, MI. Uncle Willie also
was a carpenter leader.
My dad would
like his name to be included on your list of staff of the Fitzgerald.
I was also
at the launch that day in 1958. My mother was in the hospital
after having delivered my sister two days earlier, on June 5,
and I was with my Aunts, who brought me and my three brothers
to see the launch. I was 4 1/2 years old, but I still remember
it. It was like a huge party, and it was the biggest splash
I had ever seen!
June 7,
2008 at the Metropark was a wonderful event and it meant so
much to my dad to be present there. He was able to reconnect
with some of the guys that he remembered well (though didn't
recognize at first) and shared stories with them.(Thanks, "Whitey",
et al!) Dad is the last of his generation in our family and
he really misses connecting with folks his own age. He was so
thrilled and happy to be able to talk with some of his fellow
"old timers" who share such a wonderful history of
working at the "Shipyard". It meant so much to him!
I would
like to send along some of my dad's memories, as he tells them
to me. He is not as computer literate as he would like to be,
so it would be easiest if I transcribe his words as they are
told from him, and send them along via email. Is this the address
that I would send it to?
I can't
say enough about how appreciative my family is, and especially
my dad, that he was able to participate in Saturday's June 7th,
2008 commemoration of the launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Heartfelt thanks to all who made the event possible!
Please add
my email address to your mailing list so our family can be informed
of all future happenings. Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Kathryn
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Memorable
50th Celebration on the building of the "Fitz"
We left
Texas heading en route to Flat Rock, Michigan in which we traveled
1160 miles in a little over 19 hours.
The Celebration itself was wonderful. We were impressed with
all the shipyard workers who built the "Fitz" along
with the people who actually worked upon the boat. We enjoyed
hearing all of their stories and memories that they shared with
everyone. Everyone present, including those who participated
in this event, enjoyed all of the speakers, workshops, exhibits
and the Edmund Fitzgerald information. The celebration of the
building of the "Fitz" was very emotional for some
as they shared and listened to each other's stories.
It was a pleasure to meet as well as visit with Captain Don
Erickson. He knew my Dad. We found out from him that he and
my Dad both began sailing the Great Lakes in the same year.
I picked up Pam Johnson from the airport on Saturday morning.
It was moving to finally meet her face to face after many hours
of talking on the phone. Pam and I shared some special moments
during our time together that we will never forget. We brought
Pam Johnson home to Kansas, safe and sound. The 14-hour trip
went by very fast; we shared memories, and stories of our fathers,
and families the entire way.
Roscoe, his sister, speaker Tom , ship builders, and his remaining
staff organized as well as accomplished their desires to have
a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the building of the
"Fitz". They should be proud of what they have accomplished
and how successful it was despite all the setbacks and people
who tried to prevent this from happening. Everyone needs to
remember that this was a celebration for the workers that built
this ship and not of its sinking. We were proud to be a part
of it.
It was unexpected, but a welcomed pleasure for us, the son,
and daughter of George "Red" Burgner and Robert "Bob"
Rafferty to serve food to all that attended.
We thank you Roscoe for all of the historical visits around
the Detroit and River Rouge areas.
A special thanks to Richard Orgel and his wife. We shared our
table together at the event. I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions
about my Dad and their experience's on the ship. You remind
me so much of my Dad, he would have loved talking to you.
I want to thank all of you that called and wished my daughter
a "Happy 19th Birthday" on Monday, 06-09-08. Thanks
Ray Ramsey for the call, which was special.
We want to thank all the people that took the time to visit
with us and listened to us share my dad's pictures along with
his stories while working on the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. If
my dad were alive today, he would have attended this celebration
and would have been appreciative of the turnout; he would have
enjoyed talking with co-workers and shipmates. Thanks again
Roscoe, for your desire & interest in providing information
about the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, it is exceptional.
Respectfully,
Jeff G. & Michelle R. Burgner (Son & Granddaughter
of George "Red" Burgner)
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Blanket
Donation
My daughter and I donated this bed blanket from the S.S. Edmund
Fitzgerald to the River Rouge Historical Museum curator on 06-08-2008.
This blanket was used in the guest quarters on the ship. It will
be displayed along with other Edmund Fitzgerald pictures and items
in the Museum. It was a pleasure to present this item and to all
the people who were present for the donation, Thanks.
Michelle R. Burgner & Jeff G. Burgner, son of George "Red"
Burgner
River Rouge Historical Museum
10750 W. Jefferson Ave.
River Rouge, Michigan 48218
(Formerly Gallagher Funeral Home)
Built in 1928 by the Gallagher family specifically for a funeral
home.
Closed in the late 1970's and converted to office space by the
Whitehead & Kales Co. When Whiteheads closed in the 1980's,
National Steel bought the building for their computer center.
It was donated to the City of River in 1998 and opened as a museum.
The museum features parlor furniture and stove from 1890, pictures
of people and events from 1914 to present, various items of sentimental
value to a "Rougeite" and more.
Museum is open Sundays from noon to 4:00 pm. For further info.,
contact the Mayors office at 313-842-4200. |
Loge here
Roscoe; I really enjoyed the video of the 50th anniversary
of the EDUMND FITZGERALD SO VERY MUCH. It ment so much
to me seeing some of my fellow co workers from GLEW. I guess I'm
soft hearted but watching the video brought tears to my eyes.
So
many memories of so many by gone years working to help built
that great beautiful ship. Thank's Roscoe and to all who made
the
event possible, I can't tell you how much I really appreciate
your
many hours of labor you put into this event. I sure wish I had
been
able to be there at the 50th. Loge former welder at GLEW ship
yard
River Rouge, Michigan . |
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LOGE
HERE : JUNE 13 -08
ROSCOE THIS PICTURE IS A PEICE OF STEEL MADE INTO A KNIFE FROM
THE SHIPYARDS AT GREAT LAKE'S ENGINEERING WKS RIVER ROUGE, MICHIGAN.
THE KNIFE WAS MADE FOR MY FATHER (ROSCOE SR. LOGE ) BY A GENTLEMEN
IN THE TOOL CRIB OF THE WELDING DEPT. THE STEEL IS OF HIGH QUALITY
AND I SHARPENED IT TO A RAZOR SHARP EDGE, ONLY HIGH GRADE STEEL
CAN BE BE SHARPENED TO SHAVE YOU WHICH THE KNIFE WILL DO. MY DAD
KEPT THE KNIFE UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY AND IT WAS PASSED ONTO ME
LOGE JR. DAD TREASURED IT VERY MUCH, NOW I TREASURE IT ALSO BECAUSE
IT IS PART OF STEEL THAT NOW IS A REMINDER OF THE STEEL USED TO
CREATE THE EDMUND FITZGERALD AND OTHER SHIP'S AT GREAT LAKES ENGINEERING
WORKS. (PS ) MY DAD WAS A WELDER HELPER FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS. IF
DAD HAD BEEN ALIVE HE WOULD HAVE REALLY ENJOYED ALL THE WORK YOU
HAVE DONE ON THIS SITE AND IM SURE HE WOULD HAVE LOVED THE 50
TH EVENT AND HE WOULD HAVE ALSO REALLY ENJOYED SEEING FELLOW CO
WORKERS FROM THE YARD AND SURE WOULD'VE ENJOYED TALKING TO THE
FELLOW WORKERS AND OUR BOSS WHITEY. I RECALL DAD WORKING AT THE
YARD FOR 2 OR THREE DAY'S AND NIGHT'S AT THE YARD ON RUSH JOB'S,
ONLY COMING HOME TO BATH, EAT A BITE THEN RIGHT BACK TO THE SHIP
YARD, THEY DON'T MAKE MANY GOOD MEN LIKE DAD AND THE OLD TIMER'S
FROM THE YARD ANYMORE IT SEEM'S. ( NOW I DON'T CLAIM THAT I WAS
AS TOUGH AS SOME OF THE OLDER MEN) BUT -- WHEN I HIRED IN THE
YARD AS A WELDER HELPER, I REMEMBER THAT WHEN A SHIP LIKE THE
FITZ WAS GETTING READY FOR THE LAUNCHING US HELPER'S HAD TO WORK
CLEARING THE SHIP OF CABLES AND EVERYTHING AND THAT ONCE WE HAD
TO WORK IN A COLD POURING RAIN AND THE RAIN COATS WE HAD WERE
OLD AND WE WERE GRADUALLY GETTING WET SO, WE PULLED THEM OFF AND
WENT AHEAD AN GOT SOAKED THEN WE DIDN'T FEEL SO COLD AFTER WE
SHIVERED AWHILE AND SHOOK . BUT AS SOON AS WE CLEARED THE SHIP
WHITEY OUR BOSS MADE US ALL GO STRIP OFF OUR CLOTHES AND DRY OUT.
AS I TOLD WHITEY ON THE PHONE RECENTLY ( I DON'T NEED TO SCORE
BROWNIE POINTS ANYMORE NOW HA HA ! ) BUT HE WAS NUMBER ONE IN
MY BOOK AS A FOREMEN AND A GOOD MAN ALL AROUND . BY THE WAY, IF
ANY OF YOU FELLOW WORKER'S FROM GLEW SHIPYARDS ARE READING THIS,
GUYS SEND SOME OF YOUR MEMORIES TOO .
LOGE FORMER WEDER HELPER AND WELDER
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Official
News Paper for the 50 Year Anniversary
http://www.thegreatlakespilot.com
| The name was chosen
because most members of the lost crew on that November day were
from Northeast Ohio. In addition to that, a friend of mine, John
McCarthy, lost his father on the Fitz. We had asked him about
his feelings with our considering choosing the name Edmund Fitzgerald
Porter and he said he would be honored and believed his father
would be too. Thirdly, the name certainly speaks to history ,specifically
Great Lakes and Cleveland history, which we continually celebrate,
so it seem to fit from that perspective too. Lastly, I think the
name does conjure up images of a porter style beer. The rugged,
massive ship carrying raw materials for steel production, as it
makes it's way through those tumultuous seas, certainly doesn't
conjure up images of a light beer. |
Need more information,
call Roscoe at 810 955-4305
or e mail us at Help desk
See Videos
of the Edmund Fitzgerald Story.
Click here
go to next web page.
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