Yes, the 'Galloping Gertie' name was given by some of the bridge builders.....It amazes me how much movement it took to break apart the bridge. I wonder if there was a lot of bridge movement during windy conditions while it was under construction.
I always thought they should have sunk the pontoons from the old 520 bridge for artificial reefs in Puget Sound..The all time best example of resonant frequency in a physical object, and why it needs to be accounted for in engineering.
What people may not know is that the original Tacoma Narrows bridge was a disguised WDFW program to enhance lingcod habitat in the Sound. Actually one of their more cost effective and successful projects.![]()
I think they created Coastal Cutthroat reefs out of the old (formerly) floating I-90 bridgeI always thought they should have sunk the pontoons from the old 520 bridge for artificial reefs in Puget Sound..
They would have made excellent bottomfish habitat structure.
SF
In 1940 I was 5 years old. I didn't think of fishing yet.Rumor has it that OMJ was down under the bridge fly fishing for rezzies that day and was pissed that the falling bridge made him move down off the rip he was fishing.
I'm the same way. I can't stand high bridges. Even if they are cement. You ought to see me drive over a few of the passes here in Montana. And that Memorial bridge in Idaho. I have to stop before I cross it to gather up my courage to drive across it. It gets me to shaking.Saw the original clip in high school physics class. Living in RI, and not having done much travel, the actual location didn't really register, though the name "Tacoma Narrows" somehow stuck in my memory. Many years later, on my first trip to the Seattle area, my wife and I were just about to cross the present bridge when I made the connection. Not being a fan of heights anyway, I spent the whole drive across trying:
1. to keep my eyes straight ahead
2. to avoid the thought that the road was going to undulate my car over the edge
Some memories are better left repressed.......![]()
Have you been over Bear Tooth Pass (elev.10947 ft) south of Red Lodge?I'm the same way. I can't stand high bridges. Even if they are cement. You ought to see me drive over a few of the passes here in Montana. And that Memorial bridge in Idaho. I have to stop before I cross it to gather up my courage to drive across it. It gets me to shaking.
NO!!! I'll never. The last time I rode over that Deception Pass bridge. I shut my eyes. There is no way I could do it with my eyes open. The last time I came back to Washington. I came over Stevens pass. I did it on the inside lane. My problems don't happen unless I'm going down hill. Going up is no problem.Have you been over Bear Tooth Pass (elev.10947 ft) south of Red Lodge?