October 20, 2008
Ask DCist: WTF Was That Noise?
Anne, who lives at 11th and Pennsylvania SE, writes in:
Can anyone at the DCist identify a noise this morning near Eastern Market? It sounded like loud bangs off in the distance about every two seconds. It occurred in a pretty steady rhythm from about 4:20 a.m. to 5 a.m. this morning. It sounded like the monster from Cloverfield was marching into town. My first thought was construction, but would they really start at 4:30 a.m.?!Now, loyal DCist readers will recall that we answered a question like this in 2006. Back then, we uncovered that a similar metallic pulsating noise that was plaguing Capitol Hill was being caused by four cranes with pile-driving machines working on the CSX railroad trestle bridge over the Anacostia. But is this the same noise?
We're not convinced. Just to start, there's no evidence we can find that any pile-driving work is being done on the bridge this week. And then there's this account from today's Hill East email list, from resident Bob Bateman:
I woke up at about 03:30, heard the noise and after about an hour decided to go out and see if I could figure it out. From my perspective it was coming from the direction of the Capitol/Library of Congress. (I am at 8th and Ind, SE) While out on the street I saw a police car, flagged him down and asked about the sound. He explained that a steam pipe had broken on the roof of the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) building. The sound was steam being released as it built up pressure and then "popped." HUD is somewhere around 7th, down in SW. Which means it must've been *really* loud down there if we're all hearing it from more than 15-20 blocks away.True enough, Bob. We called HUD to see if they could confirm that anything wacky went on with a steam pipe on their roof last night, and spokesperson Donna White told us that there was indeed an incident with a safety valve that was tripped on the HUD roof last night. However, she referred us to the General Services Administration for the complete story, since they would have been the ones to handle the situation, but so far two phone calls to GSA has yet to yield an official statement from that agency. When we hear back anything more about the steam pipe/safety valve incident from GSA, we'll update.
Photo courtesy dc.gov
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I am by no means a heavy sleeper, but I live about four blocks from HUD and heard no such strange sounds (not saying it didn't happen). But I think it would be a stretch to hear something like that from 15-20 blocks away.
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maybe the height of the building and the direction the sound was emitted in led it to be focused in such a way that you could only hear it over near eastern market.
that's what the morlocks want you to think...
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I was at the Eastern market metro at 5am and I heard it. It did sound like pile driving, and the sound was coming from the west, beyond the Capitol.
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Ugh. I'm at 12th and C SE and I heard that sound ALL night. It sounded like a vacuum cleaner sucking up a dog. It would stop then it sounded like it was coming closer and closer and I kept looking out the window then it would stop and then it would start again!
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Burns: Smithers, we're at war!
Smithers: I'll begin profiteering, sir.
Burns: And hoarding! Leave it to the Democrats to let the Spaniards back in the pantry!
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If you thought that was loud, just wait until CHUD mating season starts on Winter solstice. You'll swear you've woken up at an Army missile test range. But when Miss CHUD is in the mood, you need to get it when the getting's good.
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GSA didn't respond? Shocking...
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Maybe it was the opening bell of the Rapture?
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Thanks for the explanation. I live by Eastern Market and it woke me up at 4:30am!
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Yay! Thanks for answering my question DCist!
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When I belch. I belch!
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I don't really buy the HUD steam thing. That may have also happened, but I wager that the construction that was happening in Congressional Cemetery was most likely the noise people in Hill East were hearing last night. Not the steam 20 blocks away.
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I'm fairly sure it was my neighbor. She recently 'regained her virginity' through a Christian chastity promise. I think that sound was the final virginity regrowth.
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Hm. Congressional Cemetery noise or virginity regaining ceremony? Can we just split the difference and just say that the remains of J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson are making the beast with two backs?
In Hell?
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Would you believe an Elvis comeback with Big Foot doing back-up vocals?
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I heard it on 15th ST NE just off of E Capitol right around 5:00 AM. I walked towards Lincoln park with my Dog at around 5:30 AM & it got louder....It seemed like it was coming from the direction of Eastern Market (or at least down NC Ave)...I dont think it was the from the Cemetery.
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It seemed like it was coming from the direction of Eastern Market (or at least down NC Ave)...I dont think it was the from the Cemetery.
Hoover was born at 4th and Penn SE. Wouldn't it be sweet if J. Edgar's mommy finally approved of his "relationship" to Clyde and allowed them to shack up? Oh dear, I'm getting verklempt just thinking about it.
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i know this sounds all conspiracy-theory chic, but could it be construction underground...something that the secret service is working on and they don't want anyone to know about?
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Subterranean noises on Capitol Hill can only mean one thing: Tony Stark is building a giant cyborg J. Edgar Hoover to help him fight crime and act as his personal shopping assistant and all around piss boy.