The crash of a cargo ship flying the Singapore flag has induced the collapse of the complete infrastructure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the largest bridge in the metropolis of Baltimore (Maryland, United States). The cameras had been capable of seize the second in which the immense bridge, at that time open to site visitors, fell into the waters of the Patapsco River, at 1:30 in the morning in Baltimore (7:30 a.m. in Spanish peninsular time).
The extent of the tragedy is not but recognized: though authorities have indicated that no less than 20 individuals and several other automobiles fell into the waters of the river after the collapse, and it is believed that different automobiles and a truck may have fallen with the construction.
11.5 million automobiles a 12 months crossed the bridge
Built in 1972 and opened to the public in 1977the 8,000-foot-long Francis Scott Key Bridge was a frequent transit level for Baltimore site visitors: The bridge crossed the waters of the Patapsco Riveruniting the districts of Sparrows Point, Dundalk and Hawkins Point.
Above him handed the Interstate 695, and its fundamental span, 366 meters, made it certainly one of the largest truss bridges (with a steady steel construction) in the world. It was certainly one of the emblems of Baltimore, acknowledged as a part of the skyline of the metropolis for his appearances in the collection The Wire from HBO. More than 11 and a half million automobiles handed over it per 12 months..
Tribute to the writer of the American anthem
The bridge owes its title to Francis Scott KeyAmerican prosecutor and author who composed the lyrics to the United States nationwide anthem. Tradition has it that Scott Key witnessed in that identical place the British Royal Navy’s bombardment of Fort McHenry, in which the newly based United States managed to withstand and defend the port of Baltimore, inside the framework of the Anglo-American War of 1812. .
This historic occasion would encourage Scott Key to jot down the lyrics to the American anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner (“The flag filled with stars”). Almost two centuries later, Baltimore would construct the bridge that bears its title in that identical place.
