Fifty Novembers ago, a storm stirred over Lake Superior and the USS Edmund Fitzgerald, a ship with 29 men aboard, was swallowed up by the raging water. That tragedy in the American Midwest claimed the lives of the entire crew; they share their final resting place with the doomed iron-ore carrier.

These men are not buried and forgotten, however; their friends, relatives and former neighbors are among those who participate every year in an on-air tribute organized by the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association. Hams will be calling QRZ as WØJH from the 7th of November through to the anniversary date of the ship's sinking, November 10th.

Special events chair and past president Dave Glas, WØOXB, told Newsline that connections to this ship have emerged almost every year for the two decades of this event. A distant cousin of club member Curtis Letch, KFØPSC, was among the fatalities: Blaine H. Wilhelm, was 52 and the ship's oiler. Dave told Newsline: [quote] "Over two decades of operating our special event, we’ve made contact with 1,000 hams average per year worldwide. Mostly throughout North America. There’s often someone who tells us of a connection they’ve had with one of the lost crewmen." [endquote]

The hams will operate from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The ship had passed that lighthouse on the day it made its final trip.

For details about modes, frequencies and times - or instructions on how to get a certificate - see QRZ.com.