The Tasman Bridge was open to traffic in August 1964. It was a four-lane, high level concrete bridge constructed with a central navigation span for shipping. Prior to 1964, a floating bridge spanned the Derwent.
On a Sunday evening, early in 1975, the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra collided with the Tasman Bridge. Two piers collapsed along with 127 metres of bridge decking. Four cars ran over the gap into the Derwent River, five occupants died while several others managed to escape from two vehicles, which teetered on the edge of the gap. Seven crew-men from the Lake Illawarra also lost their lives.
Emergency services swung into action and people living near the bridge rushed to assist, risking their lives to search for survivors without knowing whether the remaining sections of the bridge would fall.
The impact of the bridge collapse was quickly felt as Hobart was suddenly cut in two. Eastern shore residents were severely compromised, transport facilities were tested, and to compound the issue further, most hospitals, schools, businesses, and government offices were located on the western shore.
The Tasmanian Government, Emergency Services, and Police were forced to swing into action quickly. The Sullivans Cove Ferry Company began running their vessels within an hour of the bridge collapse and continued the service throughout the night of the disaster. By the next day, three private ferries and a government vessel were in operation. Health services also needed to be addressed and within four months most of the essential services needed by Clarence residents had been provided. Water pipes and telephone lines also had to be repaired.
So began a period of almost three years of disruption for the people of Hobart. Getting to work, getting to school, getting to hospital, getting to the airport – suddenly everyday life wa much more complicated, but people found ways to carry on. Ferries carried around 34,000 people a day. Schools opened campuses on the eastern shore. Employers developed flexitime schedules to ease the transport crush.
What started out as a terrible blow for the eastern shore evolved into an impetus for development. People talk today of the positives that flowed into their lives: a greater sense of local community, increased self-reliance, and pride in the resilience of their community.
Weeks after the collision a decision had been made to construct a temporary bridge north of the damaged Tasman Bridge, in order to restore a direct road link between Hobart and the eastern shore. The Bailey Bridge was opened to traffic towards the end of 1975. It provided one lane of traffic each way on a temporary structure crossing at Dowsings Point.
The Federal Government funded the rebuilding of the Tasman Bridge and included a new lane. Rebuilding began in October 1975.
The Tasman Bridge repair took two years and cost approximately $44 million. It was officially re-opened late in 1977.
The effects of the bridge collapse remains in the hearts and memories of Clarence residents. It united the community and paved the way for growth in business, services, and recreation.
To find WP1, you will need to find the following information:
· The Tasman Bridge collapsed into the Derwent River at 21:AA on B/C/1975.
· The Bailey Bridge was opened to traffic on DD/EE/1975.
· The Tasman Bridge was officially re-opened on F/GG/1977.
WP1 is located at: S42 51.[AA÷3] [GG÷2] [F–C] E147 2[C].[EE÷4] [DD–GG–B] 0
To find the final waypoint, you will need some information from the information plaque at WP1:
· The number of words in the title (orange, in quotation marks) = V
· The number of orange circles on the plaque = W
· The number of photos on the plaque = X
· The number of aircraft visible on the plaque = Y
· The number of letters in the name of the ferry = Z
The final waypoint is located at: S42 5[V–X].[V+W] [Y×Z] 8 E147 21.[X–W] [V+Y] [Z–W–X]