Catastrophe to Triumph

Just 129 days after it opened, the $6.4 million Tacoma Narrows Bridge plunged to a watery grave on November 7, 1940. Even before completion, the engineering marvel's tendency to undulate was apparent, earning it the nickname "Galloping Gertie." Still, many of those involved claimed to be utterly stunned by the failure. In Catastrophe to Triumph, Richard S. Hobbs examines the real reasons government agencies hired a New York firm to fatefully revise the first set of plans. He reveals who knew about the imminent danger, what was being done to prevent a disaster, and why it was too little, too late. He recounts the final calamitous hours and harrowing escapes. In the aftermath, he explores the lawsuits, the insurance scam, the formal investigation, the heartbreak of ruined careers, and more. Yet ultimately, the story ends in triumph. Hobbs describes how a magnificent new 1950 bridge rose on the original substructure, along with details about the most recent Narrows span, scheduled to open in 2007. He explains the design changes that ensure stability and the incredible maintenance these intricate machines require. Prepared in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation.