Place of Reflection - West BankPrint Page

The monument commemorates those who were killed in Tasman Bridge Disaster in January 1975.  The cities of Hobart and Clarence unveiled places of reflection, housing identical memorial plaques, commemorating the collapse of the Tasman Bridge.  The other Place of Relection is in Montagu Bay.

The Tasman Bridge was open to traffic in August 1964. It was a four-lane, high level concrete bridge constructed with a central navigation span for shipping. Prior to 1964, a floating bridge spanned the Derwent.

On Sunday, 5 January 1975 at 9.27 p.m. the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra collided with the Tasman Bridge. Two piers collapsed along with 127 metres of bridge decking. Four cars ran over the gap into the Derwent River, five occupants died while several others managed to escape from two vehicles which teetered on the edge of the gap. Seven crewmen from the Lake Illawarra also lost their lives. The impact of the bridge collapse was quickly felt as Hobart was suddenly cut in two. Eastern shore residents were severely compromised, transport facilities were tested and to compound the issue further, most hospitals, schools, businesses and government offices were located on the western shore.

 

Location

Address:	Tasman Highway & Lower Domain Road, Queens Domain, Hobart, 7000
State:	TAS
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -42.872228 Long: 147.333811 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Monument
Monument Theme:	Disaster
Sub-Theme:	Land Transport
Actual Event Start Date:	05-January-1975
Actual Event End Date:	05-January-1975

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Friday 26th February, 2016

Source: MA