Friday, October 4, 2013

Half Way to Hell Club


Just imagine 200,000 people walking, tap dancing and roller skating across this bridge. That is what happened on 27th May 1937 on the inauguration of the world’s longest suspension bridge.
Like me, many do get confused between the two bridges in San Francisco.

The one above is the Golden Gate Bridge and the one below is the Bay Bridge Bridge


One more picture of the Bay Bridge at night



 Before I proceeded to the bridge I had a look at this section of the rope that was placed here.


These pictures below explains it all


As you move ahead on the bridge this rope comes down very low, particularly at this point.


These towers are really massive when you pass under it.


Each tower has approximately 6000,000 rivets.

The Fort Point that is situated right below the Golden Gate bridge is something most of the tourists miss out on.



It is a seacoast fortification on the southern side of the bridge.
One of the pictures from Wikipedia showing the canon inside the Fort Point.


That white contraption you see under the bridge could be a safety net for some work that is presently going on there.


The Half way to Hell Club was formed by 19 men whose lives were saved by the safety net that was used during the construction of this bridge.  That was way back in 1937. The net stretched from end to end.
Wish they had not removed the net after the work was over, as this bridge has become a hot spot for suicides.
There are 1600 confirmed suicides since its opening. The book The Final Leap by John Bateson is based on this. One of the pictures from his book showing police officers trying to coax a suicidal teen back to safety (they succeeded)


 There are survivors too.  One man who survived, swam to the shore and drove himself to the hospital. The impact cracked several of his vertebrae.  After being suspended in the air for about 4 seconds the jumper hits the water at a speed of 120 km/hr. Most jumpers die from impact trauma.

There is a scaled down model on display for the tourists. You can actually move the bridge in sections and when you move it with your hand you realize how flexible  the bridge can be.


After I walked for about 100 meters on to the bridge I experienced the shake every time a vehicle passed through. I presume this shake is what gives the bridge the elasticity to hold on.

No wonder it can withstand earthquakes of 8 points on the Richter scale.
 A statue of a sailor and his duffel bag is used by many as a backdrop to get themselves photographed.


This is dedicated to the ordinary Sailors and Marines who sailed out from this point. Approximately 1.5 million men and women shipped out from San Francisco during WW II

Bicycling around the Golden Gate Park and crossing the bridge to Sausalito is a common feature here with the tourists.


Cycles are available on hire at a nominal cost


It is really chilly and cold when you cross the bridge (especially if you are at the top deck of the bus)

I tried to capture some parts of the bridge on video (nicely bundled in a scarf and ear muffs with tears rolling down my cheek)


Truly an engineering feat and the most photographed bridge.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

That suicide factor is a bit scary. - Charles

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love San Francisco. Thank you for all the interesting facts about the bridge!

George said...

Thanks for the fascinating pictures and interesting information about this bridge.

Joy said...

Amazing pictures and stories. You have a fantastic blog:)

Ash said...

Nice photos - esp of the bridge at night!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It's a stunning view. Great pictures of the bridge and surrounding areas. I think I would have got a little nervous if I felt the bridge moving.

TexWisGirl said...

kind of fun.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Great post! Very informative and well photographed. That night shot was wonderful!

Janey and Co. said...

Haddock,

Thanks for the visit to mu blog!
Fun post about the San Fran bridges. We were just in Napa this past weekend for a family wedding. We did not stop in the bay area as we had done that on previous trips. Please come again! Janey

A Cuban In London said...

San Francisco is one of the two cities, along with New York, that I must visit one day. Loved your photos.

Greetings from London.

Unknown said...

Great perspective in the top shot.

Anonymous said...

An interesting read.Thanks Cindy

Anonymous said...

Every angle is covered and done well at that. Ivan

My Garden Diaries said...

I hope to one day see this bridge in person! Such cool facts and glorious photos! Thanks for popping by my blog! Happy week to you!!!

Reflections said...

Nice pictures Haddock. Never been there so it was interesting to read abt it. And the confusion in my mind regarding the 2 bridges has been cleared too:-)).

p.s: this is the 3rd time I'm entering this comment[don't knw why but blogger keeps telling to login everytime i press publish;-(. SO pls delete the other 2 comments if u've already got them;-P]

Cezar and Léia said...

The Golden Gate is awesome, I love this bridge!Great pictures Haddock. You prepared a great article with wonderful images!
Léia

Cynthia said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog, which led me to read yours and find such an interesting post! Really interesting facts, and nice photos.

Birgitta said...

So interesting to read! Great photos!

Anita said...

Great filming and photography of your trip. You're better than a travel agency! :) I hope to visit there some day.

magiceye said...

That was a wonderful informative post with lovely images

Hilary said...

Nicely captured. It sure is the most famous bridge.. always the first one that comes to my mind.

Pearl Maple said...

great post, structures like that have a place in history for many different reasons and so many interesting stories to tell, thanks for sharing

Blue Lavender said...

Very interesting post and very nice pictures. Have a great weekend.

Timur Wilde Photography said...

Hello...

these are so wonderful photos from the Golden Gate Bridge....marvelous !!

Thanks for the nice comment :)

Greetings from Germany

padmaja said...

Lovely pics!
Thanks for your visit.