Lost Mariners Remembrance Program - November 10 on Belle Isle
Lost Mariners Remembrance Program
Nov. 10th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Belle Isle - Detroit
On Thursday, Nov. 10th , on the anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Dossin Maritime Group will present its annual program to honor all lost mariners of the Great Lakes. Each year, in addition to the reading of the crew of the Fitz, an all but forgotten ship that sank with its crew is “remembered” and featured. This year the KEY STONE STATE will be featured. It sank in a violent storm off the Thumb exactly 150 years ago on Nov. 10th as it was headed from Detroit to Milwaukee to be outfitted for Civil War service. There was a loss of 33 crew, both U.S. and Canadian. Bob McGreevy will be presenting a video history of this vessel that he co-produced with Pat Stayer.
There will be twenty different international agencies that have a Great Lakes maritime interest participating in this program. After the recognition of the lost crew of the Fitz at 6:00 pm, there will be a short concert by renown Great Lakes balideer, Lee Murdock. At 6:45 an Honor Guard will be assembled as the roster of the lost crew of the Key Stone State is read and a bell tolled. They will escort the Memorial Wreath to the break wall of the Detroit River lead by bag pipers, flag bearers, and clergy. A flotilla of ships lead by the Detroit fire boat Curtis Randolph with water cannons and lights on full, will then escort the wreath to be released out into the River’s current. A prayer will be given, Taps and Last Post will be played, and each attendee will be invited to take a rose, say their own prayer, and toss it in the River. Over head the scene will be illuminated by the search light of the William Clay Ford used to search for the Fitz and that of a search and rescue helicopter.
The public is invited. There is a $10 admission and uniforms are encouraged.
Participating Organizations or Agencies
Apostleship of the Sea - Port of Detroit Chaplin
Association of Great Lakes Maritime History
Canadian Coast Guard - Amherstburg, Ontario
Detroit Fire Department - Marine Division
Detroit Historical Society - Dossin Maritime Group
Detroit Police Department - Harbor Patrol
Homeland Security - Detroit Sector
International Shipmasters’ Association - Lodge #7 - Detroit
J.W. Westcott Co. - U.S. Mail - Detroit
Lake Carriers Association
Mariners’ Church of Detroit
Michigan State University - Management Education
Ontario Provincial Police - Marine Division - Essex, Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police - Commissioner’s Pipe and Drums
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Windsor Detachment
United States Coast Guard - Station Belle Isle
United States Coast Guard - Sector Detroit
United States Coast Guard - Selfridge ANGB
U.S. Navy - Bugles Across America
U.S. Navy Sea Cadets
202nd Fort Malden Army Cadet Corps
