Unbuilding the Grace and Pearman Bridges
For Sparky and myself, curiosity drives passion which in turn fuels our life's engine. Our passion was capturing the story of both unbuilding the Grace (1929 - 2007) and Pearman (1966 - 2007) Bridges and discovering the unbuilders. It takes a lot of passion to track a project from July 2005 until April 2007 - rain, shine, hurricanes or moving to Singapore. We discovered the joy of discovery learning. Ken Canty opened the front door for us - then Steve Testa, Ponch Billingsley and Mickey Rogers opened many side doors. Below are the highlights of what we discovered, who we met and what we learned.
And a reminder from T.S. Eliot (East Coker from the Four Quartets)
Home is where one starts from. As we grow older The world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated Of dead and living. Not the intense moment Isolated, with no before and after, But a lifetime burning in every moment And not the lifetime of one man only But of old stones that cannot be deciphered.
Preparing C-2 and the Discovery Channel
This week, Mickey is entertaining the Discovery Channel folks with prep and implosion of C-2. Sparky is catching the action for us.
The worksite - C-2 on the left and Cousin Arthur's leg in the center.
Our reference photo with pier labels
Mickey's new Copco drilling the C-1 base - maybe and in the right background, Mickey's John Henry drilling the C-3 base for sure
Michael's 1250 in its getting ready position for unbuilding P-8
Our friendly elevator for fetching and toting supplies for loading C-2
and the Discovery crew with Ken and Mickey
with an approaching storm with the Discovery crew, Ken and maybe James?
Here is the base of C-2 with the shock tube ends waiting to be connected
An interesting view of C-1 and the new Copco framed by C-2 with gathering storm clouds above.
P-8 and Michael's 1250 in the praying position
and the C-3 base
P-9
Oops - the gathering clouds have unleashed rain
Oops - where is the bridge
Time to head home. Tomorrow, Mickey will finishing prepping C-2: loading and linking the shock tubes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
C. Frank Starmer