Clark Eldridge
Encyclopedia
Clark Eldridge was one of the engineers who designed the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
In 1936, Eldridge joined the Washington State Highway Department. He designed two of the state's most colossal bridges, the Lake Washington Floating Bridge
and the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge. From the outset, Eldridge considered the Tacoma Narrows Bridge "his bridge." The Washington State Highway Department had challenged him to find money to help build it, and he did. Federal officials decided that Eldridge's design was too expensive, so they required the Washington State Toll Bridge Authority to hire noted suspension bridge engineer Leon Moisseiff
of New York as a consultant.
When the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (known as Galloping Gertie) collapsed in 1940, Eldridge accepted some of the blame.
In late 1941 Eldridge worked for the U.S. Navy on Guam
when World War II
began. He was captured by the Japanese and spent the remainder of the war, three years and nine months, as a POW in a prisoner of war camp in Japan
.
In 1936, Eldridge joined the Washington State Highway Department. He designed two of the state's most colossal bridges, the Lake Washington Floating Bridge
Lake Washington Floating Bridge
The Lake Washington Floating Bridge could refer to one of three floating bridges on Lake Washington:* Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, opened in 1940 to carry U.S. Route 10 and now carries Interstate 90....
and the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge. From the outset, Eldridge considered the Tacoma Narrows Bridge "his bridge." The Washington State Highway Department had challenged him to find money to help build it, and he did. Federal officials decided that Eldridge's design was too expensive, so they required the Washington State Toll Bridge Authority to hire noted suspension bridge engineer Leon Moisseiff
Leon Moisseiff
Leon S. Moisseiff was a leading suspension bridge engineer in the United States of America in the 1920s and 1930s. He was awarded The Franklin Institute's Louis E...
of New York as a consultant.
When the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (known as Galloping Gertie) collapsed in 1940, Eldridge accepted some of the blame.
In late 1941 Eldridge worked for the U.S. Navy on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began. He was captured by the Japanese and spent the remainder of the war, three years and nine months, as a POW in a prisoner of war camp in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.