Cache is not at posted coordinates.
Prime Mover is a mystery cache to honor those who lost their lives in a tragic maritime accident several decades ago. Although named after a Rush song (which has nothing to do with watercraft), the "mover" spotlighted here was a large shipping frighter named the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. (Bring a pen)
The Edmund Fitzgerald was built in less than a year and set sail in the summer of 1958. Primarily, it was used to transport industrial materials, namely iron ore, throughout the great lakes system. It was gigantic, boasting a length of about 729 feet and a stout 75 foot width. She also had an amazing capacity to carry approximately 25,000 tons of cargo. A prime mover indeed. The Fitz departed Superior, Wisconsin on a beautiful November day with designs on taking a shipment of iron to Detroit. (She was a wee bit overloaded by the way, by several hundred tons) Captain McSorely surely was not expecting the weather that would overtake the mighty freighter on the following afternoon and all seemed well while going underway. Gale force winds and storms presented the following afternoon.
While still in radio contact, it was learned that the Edmund Fitzgerald was subjected to waves in excess of 30 feet, accompanied by a tempest storm, dark skies and freezing temperatures. Little is known about what dealt the mortal blow to the vessel, but a hull fracture or swamping from the overtaking waves are still theoretical suspects. During the last moments, another ship, named the SS Arthur M. Anderson was in radio contact with McSorely but the Anderson was not able to render aid and ultimately survived the storm. The Edmund Fitzgerald vanished into the depths of Lake Superior, taking every last crewman with her.
Now comes the really cool part....
Decades later, underwater technology had advanced which would allow recovery and exploration of the resting freighter, some 500 feet below the surface. Family members of the crew requested that the Fitzgerald not be disturbed. A consensus was reached that would allow only a single artifact to be recovered from the deep. The ship's bell, atop the pilot house, seemed appropriate. Only July 4, 1995, the rusty bell, engraved with the name of the vessel, was pulled from the lake.
Following, a ceremony was held, entitled "Call to the Last Watch". Family members of the crew watched and listened as the bell rang out dozens of times, once for each lost man. Lastly, the bell tolled once more, in honor of everyone who had lost their life on the great lakes. Lastly, a replica bell was cast and it was engraved with the names of the missing crewmen. This bell was returned to the Edmund Fitzgerald, atop the pilot house, to forever mark the grave of so many. (Is that awesome or what?)
The original bell is now on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at White Fish Point in Paradise, Michigan. This location was about 17 miles from where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank.
References:
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Url: www.shipwreckmuseum.com
Tripadvisor. Url: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/f0/8d/cb/great-lakes-shipwreck.jpg
IN ORDER TO LOCATE THIS CACHE AND ACCESS THE LOG, YOU WILL NEED TO SOLVE THE FOLLOWING: (International)
1. How many men were lost during the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald? The second digit is the number you need.
2. There is a great song entitled "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", which depicts this turn of events in a hauntingly melodic way. Who is the artist who sings this song? What letter lies between the "T" and the "O" in his last name? What number does that letter coorespond to in the alphabet? (A = 1 and Z = 26)
3. In what year did the Edmund Fitzgerald sink on that stormy November 10th? The last digit is the one you need.
4. According to the song which you researched for question # 2, at what time of day did "the main hatchway cave in"? You will need to know that number as well.
I very much hope you enjoyed this cache as well as learned a bit of history along the way.
El Stevo.