Derwent Requiem

The Lake Illawarra and the Tasman Bridge

This artwork is constructed from 3 sheets of paper handmade from Derwent River seaweeds, with LED backlighting to reveal the lower layers.

January 5th is the 50th anniversary of the Tasman Bridge Disaster, when the 7,000-tonne bulk-ore carrier Lake Illawarra collided with the pylons of the Tasman Bridge whilst travelling upstream in Hobart's River Derwent.

A 120m section of the bridge crashed onto the ship's deck, causing the deaths of 7 crew and 5 occupants of 4 cars which drove off the bridge and plunged 45m into the river below. Two cars managed to stop their vehicles in time, but with their front wheels hanging over the edge. Fortunately they were able to exit their cars successfully.

As a result of the bridge's collapse, the city of Hobart was divided, and people on the Eastern Shore became isolated from many services. The bridge was not reopened for over 3 years.

Derwent Requiem is now available for purchase from the shop