Belle Isle in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

Anchor

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

1. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Marker

Inscription. One evening in 1974, the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchored at the Detroit River's Belle Isle Anchorage, 800 feet off Riopelle Street, east of the Renaissance Center. The next morning, as the crew worked to raise the starboard bow anchor, a chain link separated. The 12,290 pound anchor remained on the bottom of the Detroit River. The following year the Edmund Fitzgerald was famously lost at sea during a storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.

The anchor was discovered by divers on May 20, 1992 with the help of a metal locating device called a proton magnetometer. After much planning, the anchor was removed from the water on July 20 and brought to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum the following day. The event was shown on live television, and thousands came to see the anchor in the following weeks.

Since November 10, 2000, the 25th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking, this anchor has been the centerpiece for memorial events honoring her crew and all mariners lost in service on the lakes.

Fact - Since it's recovery, this anchor has been the focal point of the Lost Mariners Remembrance program every

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November 10th. Participants have included over 30 Canadian and American organizations, making it the only international Fitzgerald remembrance.

Erected by Karen and Drew Peslar Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 42° 20.099′ N, 82° 59.093′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Belle Isle. It is on The Strand near Picnic Way, on the right when traveling east. Located at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 The Strand, Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

2. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Marker

Great Lakes Museum in background

are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); War of 1812 Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); Perry's Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Flag Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Canals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Japanese Stone Lantern (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Additional keywords. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

<i>S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

3. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

12,290 pound anchor

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

4. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Marker

Marker is located at the museum

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 3,156 times since then and 185 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.