Ernest M. McSorley facts for kids

Ernest Michael McSorley (born September 29, 1912 – died November 10, 1975) was a very experienced ship captain. He was the last captain of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a large cargo ship that sailed on the Great Lakes. Captain McSorley and his entire crew of 28 people were lost when the ship sank in a big storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.

Who Was Captain McSorley?

Ernest McSorley was born in Canada. When he was 11 years old in 1924, he moved to the United States with his family. He grew up near the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg, New York. From a young age, he dreamed of becoming a ship captain.

A Long Career at Sea

Captain McSorley had more than 40 years of experience sailing on the Great Lakes and even on oceans. He was a very skilled sailor. He took command of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1972. Before that, he had already commanded nine other ships. This showed how much experience he had.

A Respected Leader

Captain McSorley was known as a quiet person. But he was highly respected by other captains and by his own crew. People saw him as a very skillful leader. He treated his crew members like true professionals.

He turned 63 years old just a month and a half before the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. Captain McSorley had planned to retire at the end of that sailing season. His last known words from the ship were, "We are holding our own." Even though he died in a storm, he was always known as an excellent captain, especially in bad weather.

His Family Life

Captain McSorley lived in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, which is a suburb of Toledo, Ohio. He was married to Nellie Pollock. Nellie had three children from a previous marriage, but Ernest did not have any children of his own. Nellie was not well when her husband died. She lived for another 17 years, passing away in 1993 at the age of 82.