6 bridge collisions in the United States

On March 26th, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after colliding with a 948-foot-long container ship, which lost power during its journey. The incident led to the closure of one of the busiest ports in the United States, while rescue teams continue to search for possible survivors in the Patapsco River. In the days following the incident, authorities have focused on rescue efforts and assessing the total damages.

While this is the most recent incident caused by a ship colliding with a bridge, it is not the only one in the history of the United States. Over the years, similar accidents have been recorded on different scales, highlighting the risks associated with maritime transportation.

Bridge collisions in the United States

John P. Grace Memorial Bridge, 1946

On February 24, 1946, the SS Nicaragua Victory was anchored in the Cooper River in Charleston, South Carolina, when it veered off course during a storm and collided with the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. This impact caused a section of the bridge to collapse into the river, resulting in the fall of a vehicle traveling on it, and causing five fatalities.

Sidney Lanier Bridge, 1972

On November 7, 1972, the African Neptune, just 15 minutes after departing from the docks of Brunswick, Georgia, collided with the Sidney Lanier Bridge, causing it to collapse. This tragedy resulted in the loss of 10 lives and left 11 people injured. This incident was not isolated, as 15 years later, the Polish freighter Ziemia Bialostocka collided with the same bridge, causing damages totaling $1.4 million.