Something went terribly wrong on November 7, 1972, on the Sidney Lanier Bridge, across the Brunswick River in Brunswick, Georgia, when the SS African Neptune crashed into the structure, just before 10 pm. The cargo ship with a whole load of naval stores collided and crumbled three 150-foot spans of the mile-long bridge.
The center draw spans were open for passage, but it became too apparent to the terrified onlookers, who were waiting in their vehicles on the bridge, that the ship was off course.
Crew members later stated that the cargo ship’s wayward trek was attributed to a steering failure. They tried everything to stop its trajectory toward the Sidney Lanier Bridge, even dropping anchor, but nothing slowed the SS African Neptune that night.
In the end, 10 vehicles plunged into the dark waters below. Ten people died, and eleven others sustained injuries.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.