Daniel Bowers Interview

January 17, 2001

This is an interview which was conducted on January 17, 2001 with Daniel "Rusty" Bowers, an actor who portrayed George Holl in the 2000 Northern Michigan University production, Holdin' Our Own.

Question: What production about the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald were you involved in?
Answer: It was called Holdin' Our Own by local award winning playwright, Shelley Russell.

Question: What type of review did this production get?
Answer: The review was very positive. People commented that it seemed we tried to represent the lives of the crew and not the hype of the disaster. The set, the lighting, and the choreographed movement we used to portray being on a ship really moved them.  Some even had tears I've been told. (I know I did.)

Question: Where did the production take place and when?
Answer: Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre produced it and it ran November 8-12, 2000.

Question: Which crewmember did you portray in this production?
Answer: I was chief engineer, George Holl.

Question: What, in your opinion, happened to the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975?
Answer: It's hard to say. There have been many interpretations as to what made the ship go down. My personal opinion is they bottomed out at the shoals and they slowly sank till they hit waves that were too rough to withstand. There was too much water in the hold and they did a nosedive, but that's just my take on it.

Question: When was the first time you heard of the Fitz?
Answer: It happened when I was about 9 years old. I live in Marquette, Michigan, so it was all over the news here. I'm sure I saw it on TV and the newspaper the day it happened.

Question: Why do you think that out of all 6,000 wrecks in the Great Lakes, the Fitz stands out most?
Answer: I think it stands out most because there were no survivors to recount what actually happened.

Question: Did the wreck of the Fitzgerald and her crewmembers get the attention they deserved?
Answer: The ship itself got loads of attention but I think the crew was a little short-changed. Maybe out of respect for the families, which I would understand.

Question: One controversial issue with the wreck is that many people think the sinking may have been caused by carelessness or human error.  Do you think this was a possibility?
Answer: No. Unequivocally, no! Not on the part of the crew anywise. The crew was the best in the fleet. Years of experience. They knew the danger of the lake and what it took to run the ship. If there was any carelessness it lies in the company the crew worked for. They were slave drivers that demanded a payload at any cost. I think if anything good came from the ship sinking it's the safety factors that are in place today. If the weather is suppose to be bad the ships seek harbor first. Keeping the ship intact is more important than delivering the cargo "on time."

Question: In the production that you were involved with, was the sinking reenacted and if so, which theory was used in simulating the sinking?
Answer: Our show ended right at the point that the ship went down. The show itself is about the men, and perhaps what they experienced during the voyage, according to the timetable of events from the historical account. True communications from the Arthur Anderson (the ship that was following the Fitz) and others were in the show. Everything in the show leads up to a dramatic still shot of the crew as they realize they're not going to make it.

Question: Has this particular shipwreck become too commercial (i.e. websites, books, etc.)?
Answer: Yes. The media on the event has been relentless. People take the hype and try to use it for their own gain. I believe that's why the families of the crew have such a tough time. I think history should be researched and remembered but not at the expense of people's feelings. There's a way to temper it and be thoughtful and understanding.
 
Question: Should there be further expeditions to the wreck site? Please explain.
Answer: If there's a technology that could give us more information on the "how" and "why," then yes, I think history should be updated with more information. If it's just morbid curiosity, then no.

Question: I have been in contact with the director who has confirmed that an Edmund Fitzgerald movie will begin production in June of 2001. Do you approve of the making of this film? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes, if it is presented in a respectful and interesting fashion, then by all means.

Question: What are your thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot and his song?
Answer: I think he is a fine musician and the song stirs the emotions very well. It really put me where I needed to be when we were doing our production.

Question: Why do you think that more people are becoming interested in the tragedy of the Fitz?
Answer: Again because there were no survivors to tell the tale so it's left up to songwriters, playwrights, and movie producers.

Question: What is the most informative resource that you have come across about the Fitzgerald?
Answer: My director/playwright. She researched very heavily on this project and brought information to us that I'd never seen before. Next to that I think your website is a fine resource on the facts.

Question: Will we ever know what really happened to the Fitz, even if there are more underwater expeditions?
Answer: Like I said, one day there may be a technology that allows us to view things inside the ship without disturbing the underwater gravesite. Then we might be able to piece together what actually happened.

Question: Have you met any family members, or attended any memorial services involving the Fitz?
Answer: I have not been to any of the services, but I did meet the grandson of one of the crewmembers. He goes to school at NMU. He came to our opening night performance and was very shaken by the show. My director wanted to introduce him to the man playing his grandfather. After the show he asked to meet the whole cast and told us that we should be proud of what we've created. He said it was very moving and done in a respectful manner. He said he would go back to the family and tell them that our intent was thoughtful and reverent to the memories of the men.