The West Seattle high bridge isn't the first broken bridge that West Seattleites have had to deal with. Back in 1978, the ship MV Antonio Chavez, piloted by 80-year-old Norwegian captain Rolf Neslund, rammed the upright span of the old Spokane Street lift bridge, rendering it inoperable and setting into motion a series of plans which culminated in the new West Seattle high bridge and Spokane Street swing bridge.
In September 2020, the Delridge Maritime Historical Society and the Center for General Annoyance erected a memorial to Neslund on the bike trail beneath the broken bridge. Sadly, in an echo of Neslund's tragic fate after the first bridge was broken, his concrete bust was vandalized within a week, but the pedestal and plaque remain.
Update on Oct 26, 2020: Rolf's bust is back!
Update on Jun 5, 2023: The original wooden pedestal recently collapsed due to rot at the base, topping Rolf's bust and the plaque. Neighbors quickly sprang into action to rescue it and erect a new, brick plinth near the old site. For now the cache remains at the original site, which is about 3 feet west of where Rolf now watches over the bridge.
Update in June 2024: The new plinth was toppled by vandals last month, but neighbors were again able to rescue the bust. It has been returned on a new pedestal back in the original spot.