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Robert Rafferty
Robert Rafferty was born on June 1913 in Toledo Ohio and died on November 10th 1975 during the shipwreck. Robert always sailed on ships and took cooking and baking lessons during the off season to become a great chef for the crew on the ship. He got married to Brooksie Williamson in 1949, and had a daughter named Pam in 1952. Pam also has a half-brother. Pam is Robert’s only child. Robert was thinking of retiring after that trip just like Captain McSorley because he wanted to spend more time with his family. Robert was also in bad health situation at that time. Robert Rafferty was not supposed to be on the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. He was only filling in for Richard Bishop who was away at home with bleeding ulcers. Robert always regretted not spending his time with his family. Pam, his daughter was 23 at that time and when she received the news about her dad and the shipwreck she turned into an emotional person. She knew about his health and was waiting for him to get back to her and her mother after his last trip because he promised them he would retire after this last voyage.
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The Captain
The Edmund Fitzgerald had many captains before Captain Ernest m. McSorely. But Captain Ernest Michael McSorely was the last captain of the SS Edmund Fitz. He was born on September 29, 1912 and died on November 10th 1975 with the rest of the 28 crewmates on the ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The last trip for the Fitz was also rumored to be the last voyage for captain McSorley before retirement. McSorley had over 40 years of experience on both the Great Lakes and oceans. Captain McSorley got command over the Fitzgerald at the start of the 1972 shipping season and had commanded nine ships before joining the crew of the Fitzgerald. McSorley turned 63 a month and a half before the shipwreck of the Fitz and was planning to retire at the end of the season. McSorely’s last words were “we are holding our own” before the radio contact between the Fitz and The Anderson was cut due to the dangers storm. The captain was married his lovely wife Nellie Pollock. Although he had no kids of his own McSorley always raised the three children Nellie had before marrying McSorely.
The Edmund Fitzgerald had many captains before Captain Ernest m. McSorely. But Captain Ernest Michael McSorely was the last captain of the SS Edmund Fitz. He was born on September 29, 1912 and died on November 10th 1975 with the rest of the 28 crewmates on the ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The last trip for the Fitz was also rumored to be the last voyage for captain McSorley before retirement. McSorley had over 40 years of experience on both the Great Lakes and oceans. Captain McSorley got command over the Fitzgerald at the start of the 1972 shipping season and had commanded nine ships before joining the crew of the Fitzgerald. McSorley turned 63 a month and a half before the shipwreck of the Fitz and was planning to retire at the end of the season. McSorely’s last words were “we are holding our own” before the radio contact between the Fitz and The Anderson was cut due to the dangers storm. The captain was married his lovely wife Nellie Pollock. Although he had no kids of his own McSorley always raised the three children Nellie had before marrying McSorely.