Guide to the Thomas Neill Bridge Construction Photograph and Ephemera Collection
1939-1940

Catwalk and storm cable assembly, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Jan. 10, 1940. Photo: Simmer. Special Collections, UW Libraries, UW12079

Biographical Note

Thomas Neill was director of public relations for the Washington State Toll Bridge Authority during the construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Lake Washington Floating Bridge.

Historical Background

Construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge began in Nov., 1938. The bridge opened on July 1, 1940, to public acclaim. Lauded as an essential economic and military portal to the Olympic Peninsula, its completion was called a triumph of man's ingenuity and perseverance. It had been completed in record time and, with a 2,800 ft. central span, was the third largest span in the world. Immediately upon its opening it began swaying in the wind, which earned it the nickname “Galloping Gertie.” Four months after it opened to the public the bridge fell, in what was later called "the Pearl Harbor of engineering."

Construction on the Lake Washington Floating Bridge began Dec. 29, 1939, and was completed on July 2, 1940. At the time of construction, the Lake Washington Floating Bridge was the largest floating structure ever built by man and the first reinforced concrete floating roadway bridge ever built.

Prior to construction of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, the only routes from the east side of the lake to Seattle were around Lake Washington to the north or south. The floating design was chosen for two reasons. First, Lake Washington has an unstable floor and it was doubtful that any foundation for concrete piers could be found within a reasonable depth. Second, at the time of construction, the cost for an orthodox type of bridge from the west shore of Lake Washington to Mercer Island would have been approximately $18,000,000—almost five times the cost of a floating bridge covering the same distance.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of photographs and ephemera that document the planning and construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Lake Washington Floating Bridge (later renamed the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge) between 1939 and 1940. Included are photographs of related drawings and maps, as well as portraits of engineers and others involved in the projects. The items were collected by Thomas Neill, and many of the photographs were created by Simmer.

Alternate Forms Available

View selections from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge album in digital format (Tacoma Narrows Bridge digital collection).

View selections from the Lake Washington Floating Bridge album in digital format (Seattle Photographs digital collection).

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to the public.

Acquisition Info

Donor: Bellevue Public Library; received prior to 1982.

Processing Info

Processed by Kathy M. Stice.

The photographs were originally included in two albums that have deteriorated. The photographs have been rehoused, but their original order in the albums has been retained.

Inventory

Box/Folder

Item

Date

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Album

1939-1940

All photographs in box 1 were made by Simmer unless otherwise indicated.

1/1

1

Pamphlet from Tacoma Narrows Bridge official opening

June 30-July 4, 1940

1/2

2

Aerial view map of proposed route of Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Artist: Gilmore, R. M.

Photograph of drawing.

1/3

3

Drawing of proposed Tacoma Narrows Bridge superimposed on photograph of proposed site of bridge

1/4

4

Proposed Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Photograph of drawing.

1/5

5

Aerial view of Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Artist: Lovegren & Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

1/6

6-8

Drawings of bridge support footing with side cut away to show inner structure

Artist: Gilmore, R. M.

1/7

9

Cable anchor under bridge approach

Artist: Gilmore, R. M.

1/8

10

Placing caisson anchor for pier 4, Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Mar. 28, 1939

1/9

11

Construction view of caisson for pier 4

Mar. 28, 1939

1/10

12

Pier 4 construction, looking east

Aug. 10, 1939

1/11

13

Pier 4 tower and derrick

Aug. 10, 1939

1/12

14

Pier 5 construction, looking west toward pier 4

Aug. 24, 1939

1/13

15

Pier 5 construction, looking west toward pier 4

Sept. 7, 1939

1/14

16

Pier 4 tower, looking east

Sept. 7, 1939

1/15

17

[Concrete plant for bridge construction?]

1/16

18

Pier towers under construction, looking east

Oct. 20, 1939

1/17

19

Pier towers with tram assembly for cable spinning operation

Jan. 10, 1940

1/18

20

Catwalk and storm cable assembly

Jan. 10, 1940

1/19

21

Spinning tower and bridge at east anchorage

Jan. 10, 1940

1/20

22

West view from spinning tower, showing catwalk and tram supports

Jan. 10, 1940

1/21

23

View of bridge showing roadway in place

1/22

24

Ceremony for spinning of first cable wire

Jan. 10, 1940

(L to R) Everett T. Smith, President of Chamber of Commerce; John Schlarb, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners; Mayor J.J. Kaufman; Mrs. Doc Weathers; Lacey V. Murrow, State Highway Director; Adm. Luther E. Gregory, State Liquor Board Head; Charles E. Andrew, Principal Consulting Engineer; Cliff Yelle, State Auditor.

1/23

25

Hydraulic unreeling machines at east anchorage

Jan. 10, 1940

1/24

26

Anchor bar installation, east anchorage

July 13, 1939

1/25

27

West anchorage construction

Aug. 24, 1939

1/26

28

South splay casting, east anchorage

Mar. 5, 1940

1/27

29-30

Views of south cables

Mar. 5, 1940

1/28

31

Cable splay assembly, east anchorage

Mar. 5, 1940

1/29

32a-e

Tacoma Narrows Bridge facts and statistics sheets, drawing of construction components, toll schedule for Tacoma Narrows ferry, 1939 map of state of Washington highways

Box/Folder

Item

Date

Lake Washington Floating Bridge Album

1939-1940

2/1

33

Governor Clarence Martin

2/2

34

Map showing proposed route of State Highway 2

2/3

35

Cliff Yelle, state auditor

2/4

36

Don Abel, director of public service

2/5

37

Lacey Murrow, director of highways and chief engineer, Washington Toll Bridge Authority

38

P.H. Winston, secretary, Washington Toll Bridge Authority

2/6

39

Charles E. Andrew, principal consulting engineer

40

R.B. McMinn, bridge engineer, Public Roads Administration

2/7

41

R.H. Thompson, consulting engineer

42

L.E. Gregory, rear admiral, U.S. Navy, ret.

2/8

43

L.R. Durkee, acting project engineer, Public Works Administration

44

R.M. Murray, Lake Washington Bridge engineer

2/9

45

Charles E. Andrews, principal consulting engineer

2/10

46

R.M. Murray, Lake Washington Bridge engineer

2/11

47

Board of consulting engineers, Lake Washington Floating Bridge Project

Feb. 14, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

(L to R) R.H. Thomson, Adm. L.E. Gregory, C.E. Andrew, R.B. McMinn.

2/12

48

Members of designing department, Lake Washington Bridge Project headquarters office

Feb. 17, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

(Rear, L to R) J.W. Gould, F.E. Brown, F.E. Swanson, O.B. Fields, R.G. Day, C. McClure, H.C. Witte, E.E. Van Ness; (front, L to R) J.H. Pearce, H.P. O’Reilly, W.B. Porter, L.J. Lovegren, E.B. Wooliscroft, C.E. Corser, B.V. Christy, T.B. Allen.

2/13

49

Speakers' group at Lake Washington Floating Bridge dedication ceremony

July 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/14-15

50-51

Lake Washington Floating Bridge opening ceremony at west approach plaza

July 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/16

52

Speakers’ stand on toll plaza on Mercer Island, Lake Washington Floating Bridge dedication ceremony

July 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/17

53

Lake Washington Floating Bridge dedication ceremony at toll plaza on Mercer Island

July 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/18

54

Governor’s party approaching toll plaza from bridge, Lake Washington Floating Bridge dedication parade

July 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/19

55

Floating bridge, looking southeast, units 3, 4, 5

July 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/20

56

Floating bridge, looking northeast, unit 2

Aug. 5, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/21

57

Night view of cars on bridge

2/22

58

Night view of bridge

2/23

59

Night view of bridge from center line, with cars

2/24

60

Sodium vapor lamp on floating structure, unit 4

May 11, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/25

61

Map of proposed route of State Highway 2 and Lake Washington Floating Bridge

2/26

62

Aerial view map of proposed route of State Highway 2 and Lake Washington Floating Bridge

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

2/27

63

Aerial view map of proposed route of State Highway 2 and Lake Washington Floating Bridge, from the northwest

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

2/28

64

Aerial photograph with proposed route of Lake Washington Floating Bridge and State Highway 2 drawn in

2/29

65

Topographic aerial view map of proposed route of State Highway 2 and Lake Washington Floating Bridge

2/30

66

Lake Washington Floating Bridge proposed west approach to Seattle and the tunnel plaza

Artist: Lloyd Lovegren

Photograph of drawing.

2/31

67

Lake Washington Floating Bridge east tunnel plaza at 35th Avenue

Artist: Lloyd Lovegren

Photograph of drawing.

2/32

68

Lake Washington Floating Bridge span

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

Two copies.

2/33

69

On floating structure at east side of navigation channel, looking west, draw closed, unit 4

Oct. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/34

70

On floating structure at east side of navigation channel, looking west, draw half open, unit 4

Oct. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/35

71

On floating structure at east side of navigation channel, looking west, draw open, unit 4

Oct. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/36

72

Over east portal of completed bridge, looking east, unit 2

Oct. 2, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/37

73

East tunnel portal and plaza, looking west, unit 2

Sept. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/38

74

East portal of tunnels at night, unit 2

Oct. 22, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/39

75

Night view inside completed tunnel showing neon directional signs

2/40

76

Night view inside north tunnel, looking west, unit 2

Oct. 22, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/41

77

Administration building and toll booth, looking east, unit 7

June 10, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/42

78

At station 216, looking east towards overpass at 100th Avenue, unit 7

June 10, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/43

79

Operating elements of floating draw section, hauling mechanism

2/44

80

Aerial view of proposed floating draw section

2/45

81

Cross-section of Lake Washington Floating Bridge, showing pontoon structure

Artist: Lloyd Lovegren

Photograph of drawing.

2/46

82

Section of bridge with side removed to show cellular structure

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

2/47

83

Two drawings and one photo showing anchor cable structure

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

2/48

84

Tunnel portals

Artist: Lloyd Lovegren

Photograph of drawing.

2/49

85

Tunneling procedure and dimensions of tunnels

Artist: R.M. Gilmore

Photograph of drawing.

2/50

86

Construction of graving dock no. 1 on Harbor Island, unit 4

Apr. 5, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/51

87

Graving dock no. 1, preparing foundation for pontoon forms, unit 4

Apr. 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/52

88

Graving dock no. 2 under construction, unit 4

May 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/53

89

Pontoon section "K" in graving dock no. 2, unit 4

Jan. 8, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/54

90

Pontoon A-7, showing anchor cable truss in position and placing of reinforcing steel for center wall, unit 4

Aug. 18, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/55

91

Pontoon "C" showing cable saddle and outside port assembly, unit 4

Jan. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/56

92

Pontoon

2/57

93

Pouring concrete for portion of a pontoon, unit 4

July 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/58

94

Pontoon A-4 under construction, unit 4

July 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/59

95

Placing roadway slab steel for pontoon A-3 in graving dock no. 1, unit 4

July 20, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/60

96

Graving dock no. 2; pontoon section H-L guide roller track in place, unit 4

Feb. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/61

97

Launching pontoon A-3, unit 4

July 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/62

98

Pontoon A-1 leaving graving dock, unit 4

July 5, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/63

99

Pontoon A-1 in Hiram M. Chittenden Locks [Ballard Locks], unit 4

Oct. 13, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/64

100

Pontoon L-1 in Hiram M. Chittenden Locks [Ballard Locks], unit 4

Jan. 27, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/65

101

Looking east at pontoons A-2 to A-8 in position, showing shear keys in west end of pontoon, unit 4

Oct. 10, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/66

102

Pontoon being moved by tug boats

2/67

103

West approach to bridge, unit 3

Aug. 30, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/68

104

View of bridge construction from 34th Avenue S., looking east, unit 3

Dec. 27, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/69

105

View of bridge construction from 35th Avenue S., looking northeast, unit 3

Dec. 27, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/70

106

Tied arch span over navigation channel, looking northeast, unit 3

Jan. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/71

107

View from west end of bridge, looking northeast, unit 3

Jan. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/72

108

West end of bridge, ready for pontoon L-1, looking southeast, unit 4

Jan. 24, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

Unit 3 in foreground.

2/73

109

View from Lake Washington Boulevard, looking east, unit 3

Jan. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/74

110

Birds-eye view of 3,850 feet of pontoon structure in place, unit 4

Nov. 4, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/75

111

Aerial view east over floating structure, unit 4

Dec. 11, 1939

2/76

112

View of bridge construction from shore

Photographer: Simmer

2/77

113

Aerial view of bridge construction

2/78

114

Pontoons D, G-2, and L-2 in place, looking west, unit 4

Mar. 6, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/79

115

Transition span and supports, looking northwest, unit 3

Apr. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/80

116

East view of pontoons west of pontoon M in place, unit 4

Feb. 1, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/81

117

View of bridge from 35th Avenue S., looking northeast, unit 3

Apr. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/82

118

Bridge span, ferry on Lake Washington in distance

2/83

119

Roadway sections at join

2/84

120

Sidewalk, curb, and railing on floating structure near mid length, unit 4

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/85

121

Bolted connection, pontoon F to pontoon C, showing method of tightening bolts, unit 4

Jan. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/86

122

Bolted connection, pontoon F to pontoon C, showing method of tightening bolts, unit 4

Jan. 9, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/87

123

Painting and wrapping of anchor cables at Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co., Harbor Island, unit 4

Aug. 31, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/88

124

Type “A” anchor, unit 4

June 27, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/89

125

Placing second type “A” anchor, unit 4

July 14, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/90

126

Second type “A” anchor being lowered, unit 4

July 14, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/91

127

Driving type “C” anchors using wood frame jig, unit 4

Dec. 27, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/92

128

Preparing to set type “B” anchor at 12 north, unit 4

Sept. 26, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/93

129

Type “C” cable anchor

Photograph of drawing.

2/94

130

On Yakima Avenue, back of west portal, looking west, unit 2

June 4, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/95

131

Looking west from 23rd Avenue S., unit 4

Apr. 29, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/96

132

Pedestrian overpass at 24th Avenue S., looking northwest, near Rainier Avenue connection, unit 1

Jan. 31, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

2/97

133

Concrete approach, unit 5

Aug. 30, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

2/98

134

View looking west from pier 12, unit 5

Jan. 3, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/99

135

Concrete approach spans, looking west, unit 5

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/100

136

Completed bridge, looking west, unit 5

Aug. 5, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/101

137

Looking east toward draw pontoon basin, unit 4

June 4, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/102

138

Pontoons around draw sections, looking northwest, unit 4

June 14, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/103

139

At navigation channel, looking northeast, unit 4

June 14, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/104

140

Guide rolls for draw pontoon, unit 4

Jan. 8, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/105

141

Detail of guide roller assembly for draw pontoon, unit 4

Jan. 8, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/106

142

Steel buoyancy units afloat at boiler works, unit 4

Feb. 15, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/107

143

Muddy road and field, with houses in distance

Photographer: Simmer

3/108

144

East from station 278+65, unit 8

Oct. 30, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/109

145

At overpass at station 248, looking southeast, unit 7

July 28, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/110

146

Looking east from west end of bridge, unit 10

Nov. 17, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/111

147

Mercer Island Boulevard overpass, station 216, looking north, unit 7

Sept. 28 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/112

148

View of bridge construction from water

Photographer: Simmer

3/113

149

Southeast from west end, unit 9

Nov. 17, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/114

150

Bridge from Mercer Island to the east mainland

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/115

151

Looking northeast at deck slab reinforcing on steel spans, unit 9

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/116

152

Roadway slab construction, looking west, unit 9

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/117

153

Mercer Slough Bridge construction, east side of Lake Washington, unit 11

Nov. 17, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/118

154

South tunnel, looking west, unit 2

Aug. 7, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/119

155

Detail of a design on portal

3/120

156

East end of tunnels, looking northwest, unit 2

Nov. 1, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/121

157

North tunnel construction at station 111+40, looking west, unit 2

Sept. 12, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/122

158

East tunnel portal, looking west, unit 2

Jan. 30, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/123

159

South tunnel construction, concrete lining rings in place at station 112+40

Sept. 12, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/124

160

South tunnel, looking southeast at timber lining and footing between stations 112+40 and 112+6, unit 2

Sept. 12, 1939

Photographer: Simmer

3/125

161

North tunnel construction, looking east from station 109+00

Jan. 12, 1940

Photographer: Simmer

3/126

162

Lake Washington Floating Bridge map with technical details

3/127

163a-b

Lake Washington Floating Bridge statistics

1937

3/128

164

Lake Washington Floating Bridge toll schedule

1941

3/129

165

Lake Washington Floating Bridge construction progress reports

1939-1940

Subject Terms

Personal Names:

Simmer, photographer.

Subjects:

Bridges--Washington (State)--Design and construction--Photographs.

Bridges--Washington (State)--Foundations and piers--Photographs.

Engineers--Washington (State)--Photographs.

Pontoon bridges--Washington (State)--Photographs.

Suspension bridges--Washington (State)--Photographs.

Geographic Names:

Lacey V. Murrow Bridge (Mercer Island and Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma, Wash.)--Photographs.

Genre Headings:

Design drawings.

Photographs.