SS Edmund Fitzgerald - The Bell Tolls 29 Times (Commission) 

 

2 metres x 1 metre

Oil on canvas

​

I would like to thank Patt Rimmer, in Canada, for this commission of the

historic event, the raising of the bell from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, an

American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm

on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29 men.

This painting was commissioned as a gift for the diver Bruce Fuoco who

cut the ships bell off at a depth of 535 feet. Once again, truly an honour

to be commissioned to capture this historic event.

​

I am adding a brief description of the tragic event but also urge you to  follow the link provided about this great ship and the tragic sinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIg90sVSwSE

​

There are also many interesting online articles about the event and families that lost their loved ones.

​

When launched on June 7, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America’s Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there. She was located in deep water on November 14, 1975, by a U.S. Navy aircraft detecting magnetic anomalies, and found soon afterwards to be in two large pieces.Monday, July 3, 1995 the tug Anglian Lady positioned herself above the Fitzgerald wreck site.

 

A series of dives using the NEWTSUIT diving system, designed and constructed by Phil Nuytten of Vancouver, BC prepared for the delicate procedure of recovering the bell. NEWTSUIT Diver Bruce Fuoco worked late into the evening of July 3 at a depth of 535 feet. A special underwater cutting torch was used to separate the bell from the roof of the pilothouse.Breaking the SurfaceThe Fitzgerald’s bell emerges after 20 years in the depths of Lake Superior.

 

With everything in place, the bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald broke water at 1:25 pm July 4, 1995 asfamily members watched aboard Northlander. A wreath was placed on the water following the recovery. Family members there that day finally had the opportunity to express their grief, say goodbye and for some, bring closure after 20 years.

 

Shortly thereafter, the replica bell was placed on the pilothouse in the same location as the original bell, again by NEWTSUIT.