The Fitzgerald was extremely limber right from the start. The hull did have cracks and other problems, which were documented during its annual USCG inspection. That's why the ship's certificate was limited to October, after which the ship was supposed to go into drydock for refit.
The problem is that people suddenly decided to buy more automobiles and washing machines during the late summer. That caused a spike in demand for iron ore to make steel. The owners of the Fitz sought and were granted permission to make one last trip. Last, indeed.
In that sense, it wasn't the greed of the owners who sank the ship, it was the demands of people who wanted new Fords, Chevrolets, Maytags, and Kenmore stoves.
In my new book, "White Hurricane," (cheap plug $$) I detail a natural phenomenon of Lake Superior known as the Three Sisters. This is a wave sequence of three, each larger than the previous. It apparently occurs as a result of reflected energy from waves striking the cliff-like shoreline. This creates what scientists know as "standing waves." When two wave trains cross, if the crests are out of synch the result can be almost calm water. But, if the crests are in synch--look out! A wave equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the two trains can result. So, if a 20 foot storm wave crosses a 15 foot reflected energy wave, you can (in theory) get a 35 foot monster.
The Fitz may have struck on Six Fathom Shoal. That could have allowed ingress of water. Or, it is entirely possible that the hull just got tired of flexing and started to come apart. Either way, the Fitz had a fatal defect in its bilge pumping design. The suctions were along the keel in a sump. This worked fine with the ship level. However, once it started to list the water ran to one side and the pumps were useless.
The combination of water in the cargo hold coupled with the Three Sisters on washing over the deck was too much for the Fitz. The appearance of the wreckage indicates the bow simply plowed into the bottom. The men in the engine room were still on the surface when the bow hit. The midsection disintigrated from the forces involved. The stern appears to have circled the bow, striking it at least once, before coming to rest.
The official investigation was on a par with those of the Titanic. Everybody had something to hide. In the end, the ship's hatch covers were blamed for allowing water into the cargo hold. Nobody believed it, but it was an explanation that got everyone "off the hook."
-- David G. Brown
