River Rouge in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
River Rouge Shipbuilding
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 26, 2021
1. River Rouge Shipbuilding Marker
Great Lakes Engineering Works
1902-1962
Over 300 ships were built of all sizes and types. The total tonnage represented around 1,000,000, this included lake freighters, excursion boats, lake passenger steamers and tugs, which supplied employment for thousands. The 729-foot ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald was launched sideways in the traditional manner of all lake ships on June 7, 1958.
The Edmund Fitzgerald
The builder laid the keel of hull (#301) at the Great Lakes Engineering Works yard in River Rouge, Michigan on August 7, 1957. It was built for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was operated for her career under charter to the Columbia Transportation Division, Oglebay Norton Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Edmund Fitzgerald Sank in Lake Superior, 1975
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest bulk carrier on the Lakes when launched. She foundered in heavy weather with 29 hands lost on November 19, 1975, 47 north lattitude, 85 7' west longitude, 17.5 miles from Whitefish Point. The broken hull of the ship is located in 530 feet of water with the bow and stern section lying close together.
Erected by City of River Rouge, DTE Energy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 42° 16.26′ N, 83° 6.682′ W. Marker is in River Rouge, Michigan, in Wayne County. It can be reached from Belanger Park Drive. The marker is located near the lighthouse in Belanger Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: River Rouge MI 48218, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. 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 are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: River Rouge War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); River Rouge Persian Gulf Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Civil War /Spanish War /World War (approx. 1.3 miles away); River Rouge Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Capture of Detroit (approx. 1½ miles away in Canada); Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Post Commander's Residence (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); Post Guard House - 1889 (approx. 3.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in River Rouge.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 26, 2021
2. River Rouge Shipbuilding Marker
The marker is seen next to the lighthouse with the Detroit River on the right.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 26, 2021
3. River Rouge Shipbuilding Marker
This view shows the marker with the now retired DTE Energy River Rouge coal plant in the background.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 26, 2021
4. River Rouge Shipbuilding Marker
Marker can be found in Belanger Park, just south of the Detroit border in River Rouge, MI.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,882 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 9, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
