2 March 2021 - THE COLLAPSE OF THE TECOMA NARROW BRIDGE

 

THE COLLAPSE OF THE 

TECOMA NARROW BRIDGE

 

G'day folks,

Welcome to another bridge disaster.

The Tacoma Narrow Bridge in Washington was a suspension bridge, spanning the Puget Sound between Tacoma and the Kitsap Penninsula. Sleek and slender, it was the third-longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, spanning over 5,959 feet. 

 It was clear during construction that the deck moved vertically in windy conditions, so much so that construction workers nicknamed the bridge Galloping Gertie. Nevertheless, the bridge was opened to the public on July 1, 1940. On November 1 that same year, high winds caused the bridge to sway considerably.

 

 

 At about 11 AM, the bridge's main span finally collapsed in the 40 mph (64 km/h) winds. The deck oscillated in an alternating twisting motion that gradually increased in amplitude until the deck tore apart. Fortunately, there were few people on the bridge at the time, and the only casualty was a dog named Tubby.

Clancy's comment: Wow. Poor Tubby!

I'm ...