‘Catastrophe’ gives full ‘Galloping Gertie’ story
Anyone who has an interest in disaster – and, really, who among us does not? – is familiar with the bridge that became known as “Galloping Gertie.”
It was on Nov. 7, 1940, that the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, feeling the brunt of gale-force winds, began bucking even more than it normally did. By 11 a.m. the bridge had collapsed, dropping a large portion of its roadway into the water below.
No fewer than five motion picture cameras were rolling when the bridge went down, and some of that footage has been screened numerous times – especially the moments when a car owned by Tacoma News Tribune news editor Leonard Coatsworth can been seen tossed about like a Studebaker made from Lego bricks.
In his book “Catastrophe to Triumph: Bridges of the Tacoma Narrows” (Washington State University Press, 188 pages, $24.95 oversize paper), writer Richard S. Hobbs has provided not only a study of the 1940 bridge’s collapse but of virtually every important aspect concerning the project.
As he wrote in his introduction, “Many of the technical explanations for Gertie’s failure are widely known, especially to engineers and engineering students. So are the basic features of the replacement span, completed in 1950. Yet few people really know the full story behind Galloping Gertie’s demise, or why the bridge was built in the first place. Even fewer know why it took a decade to erect a replacement, or the drama of the people involved in constructing both bridges. ‘Catastrophe to Triumph’ tells those tales.”
Using dozens of photos, personal stories, statistics and illustrations, Hobbs tell those tales with a sense of clarity, not to mention a good feel for time and place, in a way that is designed to interest the engineer and average reader alike.
Tonight’s the night
Don’t forget tonight’s literary reading portion of the First Night celebration. Beginning at 7, on the Skywalk level of Crescent Court, nine poets and fiction writers will read from their works. All the writers will be involved in Get Lit! 2007, the annual literary festival sponsored by Eastern Washington University Press, which will be held April 18 through 22. For further information, call (509) 623-4262.
Long live SJC
History that goes unwritten tends to be forgotten. For example, did you know there once was a Spokane Junior College?
June Helle Summers does. The Spokane writer attended the school and has written a self-published “memoir” in a 54-page chapbook titled “Spokane Junior College 1933-1942: A Memoir” in order to, she wrote, “preserve those precious memories of friendships which lasted a lifetime, of activities which shaped our future years and of classes with tremendously talented professors.”
Summers, who printed only 60 copies of the book, is interested in expanding her book. She would like to hear from anyone who attended the school. She can be reached at (509) 483-4458.
Calling older writers
The seniors program of the Institute of Extended Learning will be holding a variety of writing classes during winter quarter, which begins as early as Jan. 8.
Classes in poetry, writing, Shakespeare and an extended writer’s workshop will be taught by a staff composed of Lisa Conger, John Oswald, Anne Selcoe and Virginia White. For further information, call (509) 533-4756.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.
Book talk
“Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers, noon Thursday, Old Country Buffet 5504 N. Division St. Special guest: Sally R. Simmers (“A Chair Full of Hearts”) will speak on book illustration. Meeting is free, but lunch purchase is required. Call (509) 233-8051 or e-mail donbarcagle@air-pipe.com.
The reader board
“George Flett, Scott Thompson (“The Ledger Art of George Flett”), signing, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. Call (509) 325-1500.