Within the frosty depths of Niagara Falls’ winter, 87 years in the past, a chilling occasion unfolded throughout temperatures beneath zero. The mighty Honeymoon Bridge, also referred to as the Falls View Bridge, confronted nature’s wrath as monumental ice chunks gathered beneath it on January twenty third, 1938. A sturdy wind storm propelled ice from Lake Erie, masking the Horseshoe and American Falls. Although we’ve encountered “Polar Vortex” situations these days, that particular 12 months was exceptionally frigid, resulting in ice bridges piling up and creeping in the direction of the bridge’s foundations. Because the ice reached unprecedented heights, the bridge succumbed to the immense stress and tragically collapsed.
Early Days
Constructed in 1898 by the Pencoyd Bridge Firm of Philadelphia and designed by Engineer R.S. Buck, the Honeymoon Bridge was a exceptional construction. With an 840-foot span, it featured a two-hinged arch, a latticed rib, and trusses connecting the principle span to every shoreline. Positioned near the river’s edge, the abutments prolonged to the bottom of the gorge. Nonetheless, this proximity to the water stage would in the end result in the undoing of the bridge.
On June twenty third, 1897, the Higher Metal Arch Bridge was accomplished and opened for visitors, boasting the title of the world’s longest construction of its variety with an 840-foot span. This magnificent bridge featured a single ground, accommodating double tracks for electrical trolleys, in addition to area for carriages and pedestrians. Not solely was it a practical crossing, however the Higher Metal Arch Bridge additionally stood as a beautiful and sleek construction, providing a panoramic view of the Falls.
Early Points
The bridge’s abutments confronted an ongoing problem from ice bridges forming within the Decrease Niagara River each winter, given their nearness to the river’s floor. A major ice bridge posed a menace to displace the bridge from its foundations in early January 1899. Devoted employees labored for 3 weeks, clearing ice across the abutments and metal girders, successfully minimizing harm to the construction.
Collapse Occasion
Within the pivotal week of 1938, the Niagara River surged, reaching a peak of 9 ft, submerging the Maid of the Mist docks and the encircling space. Ice tightly wrapped across the abutments of the Honeymoon Bridge, prompting the suspension of all automobile visitors on the day previous the collapse. Luckily, no casualties resulted from the visitors halt, apart from the bridge itself.
On January twenty seventh, 1938, at 4:20 pm, the Honeymoon Bridge succumbed to the drive and plunged into the Niagara Gorge.
The lesson from the Niagara Falls Bridge Collapse led to the development of the present Rainbow Bridge, strategically positioned about 500 ft north of the previous Honeymoon Bridge location. This new bridge was constructed to endure robust winds and harsh climate situations extra successfully!
The Rainbow Bridge
The outdated Honeymoon Bridge had points with pedestrians and automobiles, and its picket deck made it particularly perilous when moist. In 1930, a tragic incident occurred when an American driver misplaced management, skidded off the bridge, and fell into the gorge.
Click on right here to discover the fascinating Niagara Falls Ice Bridge phenomenon.
Niagara Falls Honeymoon Bridge Collapse Video
The extraordinary 24-hour battle between ice and metal reaches its peak simply previous 4 o’clock within the afternoon, because the Falls View Worldwide Bridge dramatically collapses into the ice-packed gorge of the Niagara River. Hundreds of onlookers witnessed the majestic metal construction’s fall from either side of the gorge.
