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Home » Themes » Disaster » Land Transport
Place of Reflection - West BankPrint Page 
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. |
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 |
|---|
In memory of those who tragically lost their lives as a result of the collapse of the Tasman Bridge on 5 January 1975
Angus Brenner Campbell Arthur Robinson
Dr Thomas Elvet Jones Thomas Sherridan
Graham Frederick Kemp Joyce (Joy) Mary Stokoe
Clarence Armstrong Maddigan Anthony Louis Sward
Louis Ciriaco Mendizabal Pamela Jean Sward
Robert Rezek Reginald Francis Turner
February 2016
