Part Two: Swim marks 50th anniversary of loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Q and A with Port Huron swimmer Sally Steinborn

By Barb Pert Templeton

When Sally Steinborn was growing up on the shores of Lake Huron in Port Huron, she recalls summers filled with surf, sand and laughter. She also grew up watching the freighters that traveled through the river and into the Great Lakes.

When Steinborn returns to the river to swim next week it will be to take part in a special memorial swim commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitgerald.

The special event will include 17 teams of four in a 411-mile relay swim.

The event actually began on July 26 with swimmers paddling above the shipwreck in Lake Superior. Steinborn’s team is expected to swim the leg in the St. Clair River from Port Huron to Algonac on Aug. 25 and then the final four will finish the race on Aug. 27 in Detroit.

Serving the dual purpose of commemorating the tragedy and honoring the 29 souls lost in the shipwreck the special event was also a fundraiser, which included donations from the swimmers and the general public. All the funds raised are to be designated to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) to preserve the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior.

Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Steinborn to pose some specific questions about the upcoming memorial swim. Her team will also include Port Huron resident Ed Schumaker, Chris Totten, of Fort Gratiot and Jean Fitzgerald, from London, England.

Blue Water Healthy Living: When did you first learn about this memorial swim for the Edmund Fitzgerald?

Sally Steinborn: My teammate and childhood friend, Sheila Fitzgerald was here visiting from the UK in June of 2024 when she heard about it and shared the news with me. She signed up immediately for the St. Clair River portion of the swim. By the time I logged on, all the spots for Leg 16 were taken and I was first on the waiting list. I was notified 12/16/24 that I had 24 hours to sign up, otherwise the spot would go to the next person on the waiting list.

BWHL: What was the criteria required to become a swimmer?

Sally: Other than knowing how to swim, one had to be able to fundraise. The initial criteria stated swimmers had to raise $2,500. As registered swimmers did not meet that goal, the next person in line was chosen. It affected those who failed to fundraise in the allotted time, which is what happened in my case. I was required to raise a total of $1,875.00 in various stages. I posted the event on social media and had surpassed the criteria within a few days

BWHL: Were you assigned a location or did you ask for the St. Clair River Crossing spot?

Sally: All swimmers got to choose the leg they wanted to swim. My reason for choosing the St. Clair River portion is two-fold. First, swimming with Sheila Fitzgerald, a lifelong family friend is truly an honor. She is a descendent of the Edmund Fitzgerald family, who moved from Ireland to Port Huron in the 1800’s. Her mother Jean Fitzgerald and my mother Pauline Zotter Steinborn, were lifelong friends. Secondly, as a retired chef, I come from a Bordeaux and butter background. I had to shift my paradigm and train nonstop for the last eight months. Swimming in the river with its swift current will be an epic experience for me. Growing up around these waters, it will be exciting to swim up close with the freighters.

BWHL: What is the distance you will be swimming during your leg of the event?

Sally: Our leg of the event starts at Lighthouse Park in Port Huron and finishes in Algonac. It will be 30 miles total. As a relay, each swimmer is responsible for 30 minutes, then tag the next swimmer until we reach the docks in Algonac. We are hoping for a ten-hour swim…but mother nature may have other ideas.

BWHL: Have you been an avid swimmer all of your life or is this a new hobby?

Sally: This is an excellent question. I grew up in Port Huron and always took the water for granted. It was available on hot summer days and I consider myself more of a ‘dunker’ as opposed to a swimmer.

BWHL: How did you tackle training for this special swim?

Sally: Once I was accepted into this once-in-a-lifetime endeavor, I called trainer Jackie Mall. We met at the YMCA pool on 12/27/24 and she watched me swim laps. Afterwards, as we discussed my needs, I asked her directly: Can I do this? She told me we have work to do, but gave me confidence and guidance. I have been training with her for eight months now, and I am ready.

BWHL: How are you preparing yourself for your swim in the St. Clair River?

Sally: The current in the river will increase my speed. I have practiced swimming in St. Clair to alleviated my fear of a freighter sucking me under and my inability to see the bottom. People living on the river have been gracious to allow us use of their docks, and a friend, Rochelle Bonelli, has followed in her kayak when the swims were made. It has truly been a joint venture with the community.

BWHL: What swimming outfit and/or swimming gear do you plan to use in the water?

Sally: We have had such a wonderfully hot summer, that current water temperature is about 74 degrees. However, I plan to start with a wet suit for buoyance. I will have goggles and fins as well.

BWHL: What are you most excited about in participating in this special memorial event?

Sally: The ripple effect of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald touched us all in 1975. I was in high school and remembered my parents talking about it over breakfast. This journey is both spiritual and transcendent. It will not be repeated in my lifetime. Ironically, I have been asked if this will become an annual event. If someone decides to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of this tragedy, I will not be here to participate. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience for me.

To find out more about this extraordinary event visit edmundfitzgeraldswim.org.