Day Tripping: March 4

Gap Closing, Gaseous Flight, And Grave Loss

Welcome to my daily feature where each day on the calendar marks a part of our shared history.

Bridge For Posterity

After eight years of construction, the cantilever designed Forth Rail Bridge opened for operation in 1890. Completing the connection between Edinburgh and Aberdeen in Scotland, the 2.4-kilometre structure spanning the Forth River was at the time, the longest railway bridge of that design in the world. The official opening was conducted by the Duke of Rothsay who later become King Edward VII of England.

The Forth Bridge has owned the crown as a World Heritage site and Scotland’s most recognizable bridge until the Harry Potter films made the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way to Hogwarts in the West Highlands more famous.

Flying Monster For Ignomy

Gliding out its hanger at just under 800 ft in length, the LZ-129 hydrogen design Hindenburg made its maiden flight from Friedrichshafen dockyards in1936. Though the massive zeppelin was originally designed for helium power, the German manufacturer was forced to switch to hydrogen because of an American ban on helium export.

The blimp was slowly lifted to about three hundred feet before four diesel engines took over, powering the craft over the German countryside for nearly eight hours without a hitch. Failing to follow the custom of officially naming the ship before it took flight, the maiden voyage happened under its designate LZ-129 banner. Perhaps a harbinger for its ultimate demise, many thought.

Underwater Loss Unexplained

A French diesel-electric submarine called Eurydice was travelling about thirty-five miles off the coast near Toulon when it exploded under the water’s surface in 1970. All fifty-seven crew members were killed and the cause of the explosion was never determined. The underwater shockwaves were detected by a geophysical laboratory nearby, and while French and Italian search teams were alerted, they found only oil slicks and debris.

Musical Milestones

1966 — The London Evening Standard releases an interview with John Lennon that quotes him as saying, “We’re more popular than Jesus now.” Though Lennon tried to explain his thoughts later which were about the frenzy of Beatlemania than as a comparison with a deity, the damage had been done.

Narratives

Oscar-winning screenwriter for his adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird, Horton Foote passed away in 2009. Foote was also responsible for recommending an unknown actor Robert Duvall for the part of Boo Radley.

Remembrance

One of Canada’s favourite funnymen, John Candy passed away from a heart attack in 1994. He was only forty-three. Too many films to mention were made endlessly memorable with his comedic presence.

Notable Births

1954 — Catherine O’Hara has graced the small and large screen with the late John Candy on numerous occasions. She deservedly just won her first Golden Globe Award for her work on Schitt$ Creek.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article dedicated to the days of our history. I hope to see you tomorrow for another instalment.

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Joseph M. Learned Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude