The Detroit Historical Society’s Lost Mariners Remembrance returns for its 25th year offering a poignant tribute to sailors lost on the Great Lakes. The event marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. The evening begins with a Lantern Vigil at the Fitzgerald's anchor, setting a somber tone for the remembrance.

A key highlight of the evening is a performance by Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes, who brings the history and sacrifice of the sailors to life through song. The event also features a Wreath Ceremony, where a selected Honor Guard escorts a memorial wreath to the Detroit River, to be received by a fleet of government and commercial vessels from both the U.S. and Canada.

The program continues with a short presentation that will delve into a lesser-known maritime disaster that occurred 150 years ago on the Detroit River. The explosion aboard the passenger packet Brooklyn claimed the lives of at least nine crew members and five passengers, while also creating a significant hazard for river navigation. In this segment, Joel Stone, curator emeritus of the Detroit Historical Society, will provide historical context for the tragedy, offering insights into the event and its impact. Stone will also address disparities in the historical record, shedding light on the complexities of how such disasters are documented over time.

The evening closes with the playing of Gordon Lightfoot’s famous The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, coupled with a bell ringing.

This event is sponsored by the Detroit Historical Society and the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, with cooperation from over 16 regional maritime services and organizations in both Detroit and Windsor. 

6:00pm – Lantern Ceremony at the SS Edmund Fitzgerald anchor
6:15pm – Ballads of the Great Lakes Mariners in DeRoy Hall
6:50pm – Wreath Ceremony 
7:25pm – Lost Vessel Tribute
7:50pm – Final Blessing and Ballad

Get your tickets early; this event sells out quickly each year! 

Unable to join us in-person? Watch a livestream of the event on the Dossin Great Lakes Museum Facebook page.