What Caused The Hood Canal Floating Bridge To Fail? | Massive Engineering Mistakes

The Hood Canal Floating Bridge is one of the few permanent floating bridges in the world, but what caused it to fail spectacularly in 1979?
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[@jimbrooks2944]

The Coast Guard ship I was stationed on, the USCGC Campbell out of Port Angeles, was anchored about a mile from the bridge on that fateful night. We logged winds at over 100 knots. We lost an anchor and other stuff fell from the mast. We passed through the bridge that was no longer there. I still have the photos I took.

[@tbrowntracyj]

Wow that's a marvelous comment thank you for sharing

[@christinalott2819]

80-90 years ago, there was a bridge from Seabeck in Kitsap County to Brinnon in Jefferson County, where the fjord is much more narrow.

[@tbrowntracyj]

What was it's fate

[@johnnie3608]

I remember living right across the bridge in port ludlow back in 94. I walked across that bridge a bunch of times as a kid. There’s also a great flounder spot right there.

[@glenndahlgren2572]

While the bridge was out we were forced to take the Lofall ferry which existed before the bridge was constructed. This added a second ferry trip when traveling to and from the Seattle area.

[@briansimmons1512]

It was mostly rebuilt again 2003-2009.

[@kevinhawley962]

GETTING STUCK AT THIS BRIDGE SUCKS xD

[@ItsEricAZ]

You too? lol

[@markwatters6875]

Well done all. It was built with the best knowledge at the time. Now it is rebuilt with the best knowledge of that time.

[@tbrowntracyj]

These sorts of situations are extremely hard to perfect What we do is learn

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

In 1979 I had been living in Lacey Washington for about 6 months. I had come from warm southern California. The summer before in Lacey had been terribly hot. Then the winter brought snow. Olympia was covered and no snow plows in sight. I was 20 years old and newly-married fortunately I knew how to put chains on my car my father taught me before I left California. I never I would use them. Or make snowmen in my yard and any neighbors that would let me in theirs. It didn't snow where I had come from so I enjoyed it for a few days. It was a rought winter for coastal Washington state.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

2:35 Neuroscientist 🤨

[@jimjoe9945]

There is no collision protection at the opening.

[@sandyc6569]

Extra long bridges scare me!!! lol

[@christinemccullough8765]

I drive across this bridge twice a day, you would not like my commute! I don't like it either, lol.

[@soulcontractor1641]

60 years is along time!!

[@CharlieSeanDinow]

those floating bridges are extremely noisy. People far away cannot sleep at all. I am not sure whether the Marine animals are happy or not?

[@bingobutler9656]

I remember that storm.

[@-Katastrophe]

Everyone but the narrator and the engineer in front of the whiteboard could have been left out.

[@inlangford]

Nueroscientist!? Why not a dentist?

[@dantheman64]

First comment ❤️

[@totallyjonesin]

First reply to first comment!

[@dribblesification]

Second reply to first comment!

[@dantheman64]

@@totallyjonesin yes ❤️