Port Sanilac Hosts Diver Who Visited Edmund Fitzgerald Shipwreck
Maritime historian Ric Mixter will discuss the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster, the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 and his underwater research during a free Nov. 7 lecture.
PORT SANILAC, Mich. — A maritime historian who descended 550 feet into Lake Superior to examine the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald will share his experiences during a free public lecture Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum.
Ric Mixter, a documentary filmmaker, author, and shipwreck researcher, will speak from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Forestville Church, 228 S. Ridge St., Port Sanilac. The program begins at 2 p.m. with a 30-minute musical performance by Jack Broadwell.
The presentation is part of the museum’s Ron and Ann Erickson 2026 Lecture Series. Admission is free, with donations benefiting the Sanilac County Historical Society.
A Firsthand Look at the Edmund Fitzgerald
Mixter participated in underwater research involving the Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the Great Lakes’ most famous shipwrecks. He descended aboard a submersible and reached the wreck about 550 feet below Lake Superior’s surface.
The 729-foot ore carrier sank Nov. 10, 1975, during a violent storm, killing all 29 crew members. The ship carried taconite pellets from Superior, Wisconsin, to the Detroit area when it disappeared near Whitefish Point.
The cause of the sinking remains disputed. Investigators have considered flooding, structural damage and the effects of extreme weather. No single explanation has gained universal acceptance.
Mixter has studied the disaster for decades, interviewing former crew members, shipbuilders, investigators and others familiar with the vessel. His work combines underwater footage, historical records and firsthand testimony to examine the ship’s final voyage.
The Port Sanilac appearance comes three days before the 51st anniversary of the sinking.
Research Includes Deadly Lake Huron Storm
Mixter will also discuss the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, which devastated shipping across the region and caused especially heavy losses on Lake Huron.
The November storm produced hurricane-force winds, towering waves and heavy snow. Numerous vessels sank or were driven ashore, killing more than 250 sailors across the Great Lakes.
The disaster remains an important part of Michigan Thumb history. Ships traveling between Lake Huron ports and the St. Clair River faced some of the storm’s worst conditions.
Mixter’s research includes interviews with survivors of the 1913 disaster and the November 1940 Armistice Day Storm. Their recorded accounts provide firsthand descriptions of emergencies that occurred before modern weather forecasting and navigation technology.
Decades of Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
Mixter has investigated more than 100 Great Lakes wrecks and produced more than 30 television programs for PBS stations, according to the Sanilac County museum.
He has also appeared on the History Channel and Discovery Channel, presenting research on maritime disasters and underwater archaeology. The University of Michigan’s Bentley Historical Library preserves his research materials on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The Port Sanilac lecture will draw on his fieldwork, interviews and archival research to examine how Great Lakes vessels were lost and how investigators reconstruct maritime disasters.
Free Lecture at Sanilac County Historic Village
The event will take place at Forestville Church on the museum grounds at 228 S. Ridge St., along M-25 in Port Sanilac.
Jack Broadwell will open the program at 2 p.m., followed by Mixter’s presentation at approximately 2:30 p.m. The event will conclude at 4 p.m.
Admission is free, although registration is available through Eventbrite. Donations support the Sanilac County Historical Society and its educational programs.
For more information, visit the Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum calendar or register through Eventbrite.
