On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the SS Arthur M. Anderson made its way out of Duluth Harbor, cutting a striking figure against the cold, gray waters of Lake Superior. Fully laden with iron ore, the legendary freighter embarked on another journey, continuing its long-standing service as one of the Great Lakes’ most enduring and respected vessels.

As the Arthur M. Anderson passed under the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, a small crowd gathered along the waterfront to watch the massive vessel depart. The ship’s deep horn echoed across the harbor, a familiar and nostalgic sound to many who have followed its storied career. The 767-foot-long freighter, built in 1952, has become a symbol of resilience and history, known not only for its role in Great Lakes shipping but also for its connection to the infamous sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975.

With a deck lined with red iron ore pellets bound for steel mills further down the lakes, the Arthur M. Anderson navigated through the chilly autumn waters with ease, its powerful engines churning up whitecaps in its wake. The scene was a reminder of the vital role these vessels play in North America’s industrial economy, transporting raw materials that help fuel steel production and manufacturing.

Despite its age, the Arthur M. Anderson remains a workhorse of the Great Lakes fleet, undergoing regular maintenance and upgrades to keep it in operation. Its departure from Duluth Harbor was not just another routine voyage—it was a continuation of a legacy stretching over seven decades, a testament to the enduring strength of Great Lakes shipping.

The Anderson is famous for being the last ship to be in contact with SS Edmund Fitzgerald before she sank on November 10, 1975. Arthur M. Anderson was also the first rescue ship on the scene in a vain search for Edmund Fitzgerald survivors. The Anderson came out of the drydock of the American Ship Building Company of Lorain, Ohio in 1952 and had a length of 647 feet (197 m), a 70-foot (21 m) beam, a 36-foot (11 m) depth, and a gross tonnage of roughly 20,000 tons. She was second of eight of the AAA class of lake freighters. During the winter of 1974–75, she was lengthened 120 feet by Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wisconsin to an overall length of 767 feet. On the lakes for nearly 70 years, she received a five month long survey and refitting in 2019 before being returned to service. The vessel’s namesake, Arthur Marvin Anderson, was director of U.S. Steel, a member of its finance committee and vice chairman of J.P. Morgan & Co. at the time.