[Dusty_Star]

Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore harbor collapses after being hit by a ship.

What a terrible disaster.

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after ship crash

[retiredguy123]

Lots of speculation. Some people are talking about needing more redundancy in the bridge structure. But, looking at the size and weight of the ship compared to the bridge structure, the bridge didn't have a chance.

[Bay Kid]

Such a loss.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

Your response to this is a real head shaker.

Who's response?

[Dusty_Star]

Overview of what freight the harbor handles:


Port Of Baltimore - Key Facts And Figures

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The cargo was being transported for a company in Denmark. It was being lead out of the harbor by a local harbor pilot, which is standard operation. Local people bring the ships in and out of the harbors, to and from open water, because local people know the harbors best.

There was smoke coming out super thick and black from the smokestack, which means something wasn't right. The smoke started during the approach to the bridge, before the power went out the first time.

Seems to me it was a horrible accident caused by some kind of electrical/engine failure.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Lots of speculation. Some people are talking about needing more redundancy in the bridge structure. But, looking at the size and weight of the ship compared to the bridge structure, the bridge didn't have a chance.

I've seen those ships close up... you're right, the bridge didn't have a chance.

Most likely had a harbor pilot on board. Some reports are saying the ship reported a loss of maneuverability and warned of a collision. Those ships cannot stop quickly when they have an engine to help; without engine power they coast a long ways.

[manaboutown]

That is a critical bridge in Baltimore if I remember correctly. Back in the mid to late 1960s I drove across it many times.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

That is a critical bridge in Baltimore if I remember correctly. Back in the mid to late 1960s I drove across it many times.

Must have been an earlier version of the bridge. Reports indicates this one was opened in 1977.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Who's response?

Only OP and #2 to choose from and I see nothing "head shaker" about either one. ???

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Only OP and #2 to choose from and I see nothing "head shaker" about either one. ???

See Post No. 5. There was another post that was apparently removed by TOTV.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Must have been an earlier version of the bridge. Reports indicates this one was opened in 1977.

You are correct.

[Bjeanj]

I just saw on the news that two people in a vehicle have been saved so far, thank goodness! Also heard that someone/people stopped traffic from entering the bridge when they saw what was happening. From what I understand, it’s a toll bridge, so they are able to determine whose vehicles were on the bridge when it collapsed. So sad. Also, the cargo ship did lose power and radioed that before the collision.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bjeanj

I just saw on the news that two people in a vehicle have been saved so far, thank goodness! Also heard that someone/people stopped traffic from entering the bridge when they saw what was happening. From what I understand, it’s a toll bridge, so they are able to determine whose vehicles were on the bridge when it collapsed. So sad. Also, the cargo ship did lose power and radioed that before the collision.

I doubt that would be much use. I believe the tolls in both directions are collected at the same place. This means while southbound tolls are collected approaching the bridge, northbound tolls are collected as you leave the bridge.

There would be a record of southbound vehicles approaching the bridge at the time but no record of whether they were over the bridge when the collapse occurred.

There would be a record of northbound vehicles that exited the bridge at the time but no record of vehicles that might have been on the bridge.

[Arbud]

Being from the Baltimore area until moving here in Oct2023, I have been over that bridge many times. The loss of life is just terrible. I have also been under that bridge many times cruising out the cruise port there. I never liked the bridge because it was the reason larger cruise ships could not come in. Going under it if you were on the top deck, you could almost touch the bottom of the bridge. My wife and I looked forward to that and going under the Bay bridge.
My un informed opinion was and is that it was an albatross. Not much use from such an expense. What a shame it had to end this way and people had to lose their lives.