Bridge midsection crashing into the waters of the Tacoma Narrows, November 7, 1940. Bashford and Thompson Photo. PH Coll. 290.36 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

Pt. 4: The Collapse

The following images and text detail the collapse of Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Links to further pages on the Introduction, Opening, Construction, Aftermath, and Reconstruction are available at the bottom of the page. Text sources are listed in the bibliography at the end of the Reconstruction section. Image sources are described in the captions accompanying the images. The images are the exclusive right of the cited institutions (the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections Division and the Museum of History and Industry), please contact them for reproduction permission.

For additional images and documents relating to the history of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collection on the UW Libraries Digital Collections website.

[Enlarge image] Tacoma Narrows Bridge showing the twisting motion of the center span at the beginning of the collapse, November 7, 1940. James Bashford Press Photos, PH Coll. 290.30 University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

The collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge occurred at approximately 11:00 AM on November 7, 1940 under the action of a wind approximately 42 mph. Witnesses to the fall were numerous reporters, engineers and onlookers. A dog trapped in an abandoned car on the bridge was the only fatality.

[Enlarge image] The Tacoma Narrows Bridge twisting, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.31 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archive Division.

[Enlarge image] Film still of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge twisting, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.33c University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

The bridge had begun to move in its usual fashion (a vertical motion similar in feeling to a roller coaster ride) by 9:45 that morning. As usual many were gathered to watch, walk, or drive the bridge. A college student named Winfield Brown walked across the rippling bridge and was on his way back across. Professor Farquharson was at mid-span, there to film the bridge for the final preparation on the deflect shield design that was to minimize its movement.

Film stills from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse showing twisting motion, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.33a-f University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division. Click on any image to enlarge.

An enlargement of a still from the Farquharson motion picture showing an abandoned car on the swaying bridge, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.35 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

[Enlarge image] Tacoma Narrows Bridge showing man running off roadway during collapse, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.39b University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

A Tacoma reporter, Leonard Coatsworth, and his dog were driving slowly across the bridge. A man and woman in a logging truck lumbered along as well.

At approximately 10:15 the bridge began twisting laterally in addition to the vertical waves. Coatsworth's car was forced to the curb.

Abandoning his car, Coatsworth walked and crawled with Brown off the pitching bridge. Farquharson went ashore for more film and then returned to the bridge.

The couple in the logging truck scrambled off. Farquharson, noticing the abandoned dog, tried to rescue the animal but was bitten and decided to leave it alone. As the bridge began to buckle Farquharson moved toward shore.

[Enlarge image] Water surges up as the Tacoma narrows Bridge falls, November 7, 1940. PH Coll. 290.37 University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

[Enlarge image] Bridge midsection crashing into the waters of the Tacoma Narrows, November 7, 1940. Bashford and Thompson Photo. PH Coll. 290.36 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

Headline from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 8, 1940. PH Coll. 290.155 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

[Read original article] Professor Farquharson's account of the collapse in the Columbus Evening Dispatch, November 8, 1940 PH Coll. 290.151 University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

Slideshow

[Enlarge image] Tacoma Narrows Bridge tower with hanging side girder, November 11, 1940. Bashford-Thompson Commercial Photographers. PH Coll. 290.55 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

After the first section fell, the lateral twisting ceased briefly only to resume in the main span and the approaches. The failure progressed along the bridge, the shock of each successive collapse on the main span producing a corresponding shock in the approaching spans. Finally the approaches sagged, lost all of their lateral motion and came to relative rest. The main towers and approaches remained but were severely damaged.

[Enlarge image] Tacoma Narrows Bridge showing fallen middle span after collapse, November 7, 1940. James Bashford Press Photos. PH Coll. 290.52 University of Washington Libraries. Manuscripts, Special Collections, University Archives Division.

[Enlarge image] Aerial view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge after the collapse, November 8, 1940. Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, PI- 20796. Courtesy of the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle.

[Enlarge image] Tacoma Narrows Bridge shortly after collapse showing approach and bridge tower with hanging bridge deck, November 7, 1940. James Bashford Press Photos. PH Coll. 290.51 University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

[Enlarge image] Cables of the collapsed Tacoma Narrows Bridge with men walking midspan, November 16, 1940. James Bashford PRess Photos PH Coll. 290.65 University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division.