Split Rock Lighthouse at night: The Split Rock Lighthouse on the northwest shore of Lake Superior is lit only once a year and on special occasions. The annual event is on Nov. 10 to...

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

The Split Rock Lighthouse on the northwest shore of Lake Superior is lit only once a year and on special occasions. The annual event is on Nov. 10 to commemorate the sinking of the iron ore freighter, the Edmund Fitzgerald. The ship sank in heavy seas on Nov. 10, 1975. The actual cause has never been fully determined. The entire crew of 29 perished.
The lighthouse was built between 1907 and 1910. It sits on a 110 foot tall rocky outcropping and at the time of construction, there were no roads leading to the site. All of the materials were hoisted up from ships below. The lighthouse was used until 1969 when more modern navigation techniques made it obsolete.
The beacon stretching out over the dark water was difficult to photograph that night. It wasn’t visible until well after dark and since it rotates, it only shines visibly for a few seconds at a time. It was also quite windy. This exposure was f5, 4 seconds at ISO 5000.

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chemsaf Loc: San Diego

I like it and the background story
Thx

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Beautiful shot; I've been there and seen the lighthouse, but almost invisible at night and and I've never before seen even a photo of the lighthouse when lit. I'm surprised the maintenance has been sufficient to use it even briefly.

For years the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald was unexplained, but a number of years ago some deep water explorers photographed the wreckage, and it appears that a boiler had exploded violently in extreme storm conditions, dooming the ship and it's crew.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Neat!

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Thanks for sharing. I've never seen it lit up before.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

wkocken wrote:

The Split Rock Lighthouse on the northwest shore o... (show quote)

Eye-catchingly beautiful 🌀💙💎💙🌀

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

mikegreenwald wrote:

Beautiful shot; I've been there and seen the lighthouse, but almost invisible at night and and I've never before seen even a photo of the lighthouse when lit. I'm surprised the maintenance has been sufficient to use it even briefly.

For years the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald was unexplained, but a number of years ago some deep water explorers photographed the wreckage, and it appears that a boiler had exploded violently in extreme storm conditions, dooming the ship and it's crew.

Interesting theory. The primary theory I heard was open hatches allowed water to pour in. Another theory is that the design was flawed an the ship’s keel broke under the stress of being pounded by huge waves. There was a sister ship that was scrapped soon after, although this sounds like a conspiracy theory.

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

It has been on my bucket list, but I’d like to try it on a foggier or windier night, although my tripod was already being blown around a bit last week.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

wkocken wrote:

Interesting theory. The primary theory I heard was open hatches allowed water to pour in. Another theory is that the design was flawed an the ship’s keel broke under the stress of being pounded by huge waves. There was a sister ship that was scrapped soon after, although this sounds like a conspiracy theory.

I've heard those stories too, but I believe they were both only guesses, whereas the exploded boiler explanation came after underwater photography suggested it. I wish I could remember where I read it, but I cannot, so I can't claim a strong case for that explanation.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I just Googled the matter; it sheds no light at all - too many theories, none of which is the exploded boiler I had read about. It is unlikely at this time that we will ever have rigorous proof of how the sinking came about.
About the only certainty is that the Fitzgerald was old, worn, and damaged to some extent by abuse.

BrHawkeye

A fine shot. Your planning and effort really paid off.

ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota

A nice photo wkocken! As a fellow "Minnesota'n" I remember seeing this lighthouse when I was a child and eating my heart out not being able to climb it. It was still an active lighthouse of the US Coastguard back then. I have photographed this light house enough to appreciate the effort you made to to shoot this fine photo. Thanks for sharing!

osoblancophoto Loc: Venice FL

Great shot

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

wkocken wrote:

The Split Rock Lighthouse on the northwest shore o... (show quote)

Beautiful!!

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

Nice capture plus your story adds a lot to the photo.