Mulberry Harbor
00:00 - Introduction
Tyler is excited about his visit to a Glossier shop. While his wife was exploring ways to look even prettier, Tyler’s makeup-free mug was recognized by another patient husband. He didn’t ask for an autograph, but it’s a start.
6:44 - Mulberry Harbor
Eddie leads us into today’s topic: the two large harbors that were constructed in preparations for the D-Day Invasion of Normandy in 1944.
We won’t go deep into the historical details of the D-Day, but the invasion of Normandy that started on June 6 of that year would involve approximately 858,000 troops and 150,000 vehicles. The British and American military officials knew that tides would create challenges for putting all of those people and equipment on shore, so they designed and constructed two large harbors to assist in the process.
(Here is a ship-shipping ship of the type that Tyler referenced.)
14:33 - The Breakwaters
Eddie describes a couple of the elements used as breakwaters. One class of these was called the Phoenix caissons, which were essentially concrete ships that contained compartments that could be filled with air to float or water to sink and sit on the ocean floor.
Additional breakwater efforts came through a plan code named “corn cobs,” and it consisted of several “gooseberries,” obsolete military ships that were sunk at a depth where the superstructure would remain above water. These ships actually had crews that provided support to the smaller boats that were using the harbor.
20:25 - The Piers and the Timeline
We move on to discuss the modular piers constructed of what were called “whales and beetles.” Actual construction of the harbor (from the various components built in Britain) began on D-day, June 6. From there, Eddie outlines this timeline:
By June 11, the breakwaters for Mulberry A were complete.
By June 18, the piers were in place and the unloading of cargo began.
On June 19, a severe storm began. It was said to be the worst in 40 years, with 4.5 meter waves. The piers and most of the breakwater elements on Mulberry A were completely destroyed. Many of the completed elements of Mulberry B escaped catastrophic damage because of a couple islands that served as natural breakwaters.The decision was made to shift all focus to Mulberry B, which then took the name of Port Winston.
29:45 - Connections and Takeaways
We discuss how the Mulberry Harbor project relates to construction principles:
Complex construction can be completed without computer design.
Modular construction has been around for a long time. When time is of the essence, simple, repeatable construction is a good way to go.
When a project really needs to get done, a way can be found to get it done.
There will always be unforeseen complications in big projects.
Additional resources related to Mulberry Harbor:
Real Engineering video (sponsored by Curiosity Stream)
Images: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3 - Google Maps view today, Link 4
This D-day timeline gives a picture of the combat and movements that were taking place while the construction and repairs of Mulberry Harbor and Port Winston were being constructed.
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