Michigan has decided to relinquish ownership of a valuable artifact recovered from the historic Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck. The state’s unusual acquisition of the item occurred as part of a legal settlement unrelated to the sunken vessel. Larry Orr, 77, is set to receive one of the ship’s life rings back, with the state agreeing to pay $600,000 to resolve his lawsuit regarding alleged police misconduct.
Orr recounted finding the life ring and a fragment of a lifeboat on the shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula just eight days after the tragic sinking of the Fitzgerald in Lake Superior, which claimed the lives of all 29 crew members. Over 50 years later, during negotiations with the Michigan State Police to settle a lawsuit stemming from alleged rights violations by Lt. David Busacca, there was a sudden interest in the Fitzgerald artifact. Orr claimed that Busacca had become aware of his ownership of the item while searching his Michigan residence.
Despite feeling manipulated by the state’s sudden interest in the life ring, Orr found himself in need of funds to relocate from a recreational vehicle in Yulee, Fla. The inclusion of the artifact in the settlement deal resulted in a payout increase from around $300,000 to $600,000. Orr expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement amount, stating that he believed he deserved more for the injustices he endured.
Following public scrutiny of the initial settlement terms, subsequent discussions among legal representatives led to a revised agreement. Orr will regain possession of the life ring, while taxpayers will still be responsible for the $600,000 settlement concerning the police misconduct lawsuit. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Mich., where the orange life ring had been on display for years, may no longer exhibit the artifact as Orr considers selling it at an auction.
Orr disclosed his intentions to utilize the funds to purchase a modular home and address urgent financial needs, such as replacing his wife’s deteriorating vehicle. The resolution of the lawsuit and the return of the artifact mark the conclusion of a complex and contentious legal saga for Larry Orr.
