Sightseers and several parked cars are seen on one bank of the Tacoma Narrows. They are watching undulations of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, called "Galloping Gertie" in the State of Washington, United States. Scene shifts to the bridge roadway as vibrations and oscillations increase leading to the total destruction of the the bridge. Pulsating winds blowing through the narrows caused vibrations of the bridge to reach its natural resonance frequency resulting in increased amplitude of oscillations until the structure was destroyed. Leonard Coatsworth, a Tacoma newspaper editor, is seen walking from the bridge near its end after abandoning his car, which is still on the bridge, until it collapses.
President Franklin Roosevelt's address about national security, to the nation from Washington DC. Cameramen set their cameras to broadcast the speech. Roosevelt talks about the prosperity and the security of the nation and that the nation should work together for the preservation of American independence. He states about German intention of invading Europe and then the rest of the world using Europe's resources. He talks about German, Italian and Japanese forces which are engaged in war against other countries. He also states that U.S. fleet is in the Pacific Ocean for the defense of the country.
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt addresses the nation from Washington DC in World War II. Clip includes portion of his "Great Arsenal of Democracy" speech. Roosevelt states that the United States is determined to aid Britain through the Lend Lease program. He states that the United States will be in constant danger if the Axis powers win the war. The U.S. must supply England and Europe with arms. “We must be the great arsenal of democracy… I believe that the Axis powers are not going to win this war. I base that belief on the latest and best of information.” President Roosevelt said.
A British convoy underway in the North Sea in World War II. Nazi German forces attack the convoy. A British officer on the ship deck. Explosions from depth charges. Bombardment on the convoy. A British destroyer torpedoed. Smoke arises as the ship burns. German sailors in boat are rescued and become prisoners of war after their destroyer is disabled by British. View of damaged German destroyer.
Waves are seen threatening homes built along a boardwalk, at the water's edge, in Redondo Beach, california. Closeup of sea water rushing under the boardwalk and a sign on one home reading "danger, Keep Out." Waves carrying debris, crashing against the the structures. Glimpse from next to a partly sunken house, of wave rolling towards it. Waves running underneath pilings. A house that has fallen over and water undermining it and the boardwalk nearby. A man and his wife and baby rescuing belongings from their damaged home. He carries a chair and she carries her baby from the home that is already tilted. Their belongings are piled up in a safe place onshore. Other people are seen in the background, along with some parked 1930s era cars, including a Light colored 1936 Dodge 4-door touring car with rear fender aprons. Other people help the couple to rescue their possessions.
U.S. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Charles Evans Hughes, receives an award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He addresses people. He terms intolerance as the deadly enemy of true democracy. (World War II period).