Historic Key Bridge Tribute: Baltimore Honors Anthem Writer

In the heart of New York, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, its fate sealed by a collision with a container ship in the early hours of a Tuesday morning, stands as a testament to American history. Named after the esteemed attorney who penned the lyrics to what would become the nation’s anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, this bridge witnessed a dramatic collapse captured vividly on both television screens and social media platforms.

The vessel responsible, the Singapore-flagged “Dali,” manned entirely by an Indian crew totaling 22 individuals, collided with one of the bridge’s pillars around 1:30 am local time. The impact was catastrophic, causing the structure to fracture and plummet dramatically into the river below.

Though official casualties are yet to be confirmed, early reports suggest a potential loss of six lives, crippling one of the northeastern United States’ vital ports in the process.

As dawn broke, casting its light upon the devastation, it also illuminated the bridge’s storied past. Constructed in March of 1977, the Francis Scott Key Bridge played a pivotal role in Maryland’s transportation network, marking a significant milestone in its highway system’s evolution. Spanning the Patapsco River, it became an integral part of Interstate 695, encircling Baltimore and standing as a symbol of engineering prowess.

This bridge, bearing the name of Francis Scott Key, ties back to the very roots of American identity. It was in Baltimore, during the War of 1812, that Key drew inspiration from the sight of a resilient American flag waving triumphantly over Fort McHenry. His poetic tribute, immortalized in The Star-Spangled Banner, forever intertwines the bridge’s legacy with that of the nation.

Stretching over 2.6 kilometers, connecting Sollers Point to Hawkins Point, the Key Bridge loomed 185 feet above the river, its continuous steel truss extending 1,200 feet. With its connecting approaches, it spanned a total length of 10.9 miles, solidifying its place as one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the United States.