Chesapeake, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Wreck and Repair

— South Norfolk Jordan Bridge —

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

1. Wreck and Repair Marker

Inscription. June 3rd
1939 A Texaco Oil ship, the Rhode Island, miscalculated a turn and collided into the Jordan Bridge. One of the spans collapsed in the water causing $350,000 in damages. No deaths were reported, but two bridge workers in the operator cab were severely injured and sought damages against Texaco later on. It took several weeks for the Elizabeth River to be cleared from the wreckage, disrupting the shipping industry. The bridge remained out of service for more than 6 months during the repair process and reopened on February 1st, 1940.

(sdebar)
Other Wrecks
June 13th 1943
The oil freighter Moorehead rammed into the bridge. No known casualties were reported. The bridge reopened after repairs 90 days later.

January 3rd 2004
A crane barge, Big Red, collided into the bridge. No injuries were reported, but the bridge tender was trapped atop the open span in the operator's house. He was able to climb down the bridge to safety. The bridge reopened 90 days later.

(captions)
Photo by F.J. Peifer, Civil Engineer, Virginia Bridge Company. Photo courtesy of Stephen Peifer.

Reconstruction of the bridge, 1939. Photo courtesy of the Library of Virginia.

Jordan poses with J.

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J. Parkerson after the bridge's reconstruction. Photo courtesy of the Library of Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1939.

Location. 36° 48.559′ N, 76° 17.227′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Elizabeth River Way and Truxton Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Elizabeth River Park at the east end of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Elizabeth River Way, Chesapeake VA 23324, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Timeline of Bridge History (here, next to this marker); Construction and Opening (here, next to this marker); Carl Moore Jordan (a few steps from this marker); Jordan Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The South Norfolk Historic District (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gosport Shipyard (approx. one mile away); Norfolk Naval Shipyard (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.

Also see . . . South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. (Submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

2. Wreck and Repair Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 87 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.