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Description
Postcard shows a photo of "closing the cantilever" of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. The Bay Bridge is a cantilever bridge, which means that only end of the bridge is anchored, with the other end projected horizonatally into space. The Chief Engineer, C.H. Purcell, once wrote that the closing of the 1400 foot cantilever was probably the most ticklish job he faced. It was the longest and heaviest cantilver built at the time. Traveling derricks moved toward each other until a gap of 96 feet reamined. Eight hydraulic jacks pushed and pulled on the cantilever until the final section was aligned and joined. This postcard was made to commemorate the 50 year anniversiary of the bridge, started in 1933 and finished in 1936. Number 8 of a 10 postcard limited edition set.
Type
image
Identifier
74FEB29E-1F1C-489A-A4CF-651904867000 2022.011.209
Subject
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Bridges Construction San Francisco Oakland
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