By late in the afternoon of November 10, sustained winds of over 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) were recorded by ships and observation points across eastern Lake Superior.[52] Anderson logged sustained winds as high as 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph) at 4:52 p.m.,[46] while waves increased to as high as 25 feet (7.6 m) by 6:00 p.m.[53] Anderson was also struck by 70-to-75-knot (130 to 139 km/h; 81 to 86 mph) gusts[52] and rogue waves as high as 35 feet (11 m).[14]
The last communication from the ship came at approximately 7:10 p.m., when Anderson notified Fitzgerald of an upbound ship and asked how she was doing. McSorley reported, "We are holding our own." She sank minutes later. No distress signal was received, and ten minutes later, Anderson lost the ability either to raise Fitzgerald by radio or to detect her on radar
