Whitefish Point Groyne Study, photo by Jeff Gaydash.

Jeff writes:

On November 10, 1975, the famous SS Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the largest freighters on the Great Lakes sank about 17 miles from this location in approximately the direction in which this groyne is pointing. All 29 crew members were lost.

In case you’re like me and wondering “What’s a groyne?” Wikipedia has the answer:

A groyne (groin in the United States) is a rigid hydraulic structure built from an ocean shore that interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment. Groynes create beaches, or avoid having them washed away by longshore drift.

Be sure to check this out bigger and in Jeff’s The Great Lakes slideshow.

Absolute Michigan has lots more on the Edmund Fitzgerald including a phenomenal video.