Remembering the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, 50 years later.

On November 10, 1975, the Great Lakes were forever changed when the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a violent Lake Superior storm, taking all 29 crew members with her. This year marks the 50th anniversary, a moment of reflection for those who live along this rugged coastline and for anyone who understands the power of the lake. The Fitzgerald’s loss is not just maritime history; it is a reminder of how quickly Lake Superior can turn, how fragile life on the water can be, and how essential safe harbors and lighthouses remain.

As keepers and caretakers of the Portage River Lighthouse, the anniversary carries a special weight. Our lighthouse stands at the mouth of the Portage River on Keweenaw Bay, a naturally sheltered inlet that has offered refuge to ships for generations. When the lake is raging offshore, the contrast inside the bay can be startling, with waves calm, winds softening, and vessels finding the safety they cannot reach on the open water.

Keweenaw Bay: A Natural Safe Harbor

Keweenaw Bay has long been considered one of the more protected pockets of water on Lake Superior’s southern shore. Its shape, depth changes, and partial enclosure by land create conditions that can dramatically reduce wave energy during storms. Ships traveling the lake often tuck into the bay to take shelter or adjust course when weather becomes unpredictable.

The Portage River Lighthouse is positioned right where that shelter begins. For over a century, the light marked the entrance to calmer waters—guiding vessels toward protection when the lake turned fierce. Modern technology has changed maritime navigation, but the fundamental relationship between ship and shoreline hasn’t: in a storm, a safe harbor can still mean the difference between waiting it out… or facing the full fury of Superior.

Living here, we see that contrast firsthand. Storms that roar over the lake can arrive as fast-moving walls of wind, cloud, and light. One moment, calm. The next, the bay darkens and the water changes shape. And just as quickly, the storm moves on.

To show this, we captured two videos that illustrate the power and unpredictability of Lake Superior and why safe harbors like Keweenaw Bay matter.

Storm Timelapse from the Lighthouse Tower (Nov 9, 2025)

Watch the storm roll across Keweenaw Bay as the sun sets, filmed at the Portage River Lighthouse:

🎥 Watch the full video here: 

https://youtu.be/cdzIKf9yr4g

This fast-moving front is a perfect example of how quickly conditions can change here. Even when the storm moves fast, the bay provides a buffer—an essential difference for ships in distress or seeking a moment of calm.

Bulk Carrier in the Bay (Nov 6, 2022)

Two years ago, we filmed a bulk carrier anchored peacefully in Keweenaw Bay during unsettled weather:

Seeing such a large vessel resting in the bay highlights its ongoing role as a modern safe harbor. Ships still use Keweenaw Bay the same way sailors have for generations—slowing, waiting, watching the weather, and choosing safety over risk.

A Moment of Reflection

As we honor the 50th anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, we remember the 29 men who never returned home. We also recognize the vital importance of sheltered waters, lighthouses, and the people who care for these places.

Keweenaw Bay is more than a beautiful landscape. It is, and always has been a refuge.

And the Portage River Lighthouse continues to stand at its edge, marking the transition from open lake to safe harbor, from danger to protection, from storm to stillness.

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