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BROOKLYN BRIDGE : A FAMILY AFFAIR
I was inspired to visit and walk this bridge after viewing the wonderful documentary by the great Ken Burns,
It was a sunny day with a light breeze - perfect for the experience.
Close up, the magnificent towers are even more impressive than in any photo.
Whilst there is much to admire in the gothic arches and 14,000 miles of mathematically precise cabling, this is not so much an engineering story but a tale of a remarkable family who overcame tragedy, corruption and illness to create this New York icon.
Beginnings
The work began in 1869, the same year that Ulysses S Grant became the US President and, the earlier serving President Franklin Pierce, passed away.
Newspapers were telling tales of the outlaw Jesse James.
The project to build a bridge joining New York with the then independent city of Brooklyn, had been debated for years when, finally, with allegedly, some dubious financial dealings, i.e bribes, it went ahead.
A Prussian engineer, John A Roebling was appointed to design and manage its construction.
Since leaving his homeland in 1831, Roebling had first been an unsuccessful farmer before making use of his highly varied engineering and maths education to develop and complete suspension bridges, including one at Niagara Falls.
The work began in 1869, the same year that Ulysses S Grant became the US President and, the earlier serving President Franklin Pierce, passed away.
Newspapers were telling tales of the outlaw Jesse James.
The project to build a bridge joining New York with the then independent city of Brooklyn, had been debated for years when, finally, with allegedly, some dubious financial dealings, i.e bribes, it went ahead.
A Prussian engineer, John A Roebling was appointed to design and manage its construction.
Since leaving his homeland in 1831, Roebling had first been an unsuccessful farmer before making use of his highly varied engineering and maths education to develop and complete suspension bridges, including one at Niagara Falls.
Tragedy
Roebling was an excellent and well-qualified choice so it was a serious blow to the project when, even before the actual building work commenced, he lost his life in unfortunate circumstances.
Showing colleagues the site of the bridge, he was injured when a boat hit the boardwalk where he was standing. After some emergency work on a badly damaged foot, he refused further treatment as he was convinced of the healing power of pure water. His faith was ill-founded and he died around 2 weeks later of septic poisoning.
At this point, his son Washington A Roebling took over. Having worked with his father on earlier projects and had also been a decorated Colonel in the Union army, he certainly possessed the skills to take his father’s place.
Roebling was an excellent and well-qualified choice so it was a serious blow to the project when, even before the actual building work commenced, he lost his life in unfortunate circumstances.
Showing colleagues the site of the bridge, he was injured when a boat hit the boardwalk where he was standing. After some emergency work on a badly damaged foot, he refused further treatment as he was convinced of the healing power of pure water. His faith was ill-founded and he died around 2 weeks later of septic poisoning.
At this point, his son Washington A Roebling took over. Having worked with his father on earlier projects and had also been a decorated Colonel in the Union army, he certainly possessed the skills to take his father’s place.
Another setback
Washington set about constructing the bridge with military organisation and excellent man-management skills.
Unfortunately, more health problems were waiting to threaten the project and the family.
It was necessary for workers to work under the foundations of those high arches and these spaces had to be kept dry by compressed air. It was soon clear that these conditions left the workers liable to what we now call “the bends” a painful and often fatal illness caused when exiting pressurised environments.
As Washington had often shared these conditions with his men, he also fell victim to the illness and spent most of the rest of his life as an invalid although he did reach the age of 89, despite his illness and, allegedly, a drug addiction.
Washington set about constructing the bridge with military organisation and excellent man-management skills.
Unfortunately, more health problems were waiting to threaten the project and the family.
It was necessary for workers to work under the foundations of those high arches and these spaces had to be kept dry by compressed air. It was soon clear that these conditions left the workers liable to what we now call “the bends” a painful and often fatal illness caused when exiting pressurised environments.
As Washington had often shared these conditions with his men, he also fell victim to the illness and spent most of the rest of his life as an invalid although he did reach the age of 89, despite his illness and, allegedly, a drug addiction.
Emily Roebling
Washington's bedroom overlooked the construction site so, with this view, he continued to supervise the work. He was only able to do this with the help of his highly intelligent and resourceful wife, Emily.
She relayed his wishes and soon developed enough knowledge to manage the project on her husband’s behalf.
Washington's bedroom overlooked the construction site so, with this view, he continued to supervise the work. He was only able to do this with the help of his highly intelligent and resourceful wife, Emily.
She relayed his wishes and soon developed enough knowledge to manage the project on her husband’s behalf.
So appreciated, respected and loved was she by the men and the city that a plaque to her is located on the bridge itself. When you think that this took place around 40 years before women had the vote, such acknowledgement of her work was an even more remarkable event.
Cable Scandal
In the later stages of the construction it was discovered that, due to fraud, the vitally-important cables had been made from poor quality steel. If left uncorrected the structure would undoubtedly collapse in due course.
It was far too late to replace the cables so the Roeblings had to arrange for additional wire to be wound over the original cabling. As the bridge remains standing today after around 130 years, this correction was obviously successful
The bridge actually opened in 1883 when around 250,000 people turned up on the first day to see and walk this marvel.
In the later stages of the construction it was discovered that, due to fraud, the vitally-important cables had been made from poor quality steel. If left uncorrected the structure would undoubtedly collapse in due course.
It was far too late to replace the cables so the Roeblings had to arrange for additional wire to be wound over the original cabling. As the bridge remains standing today after around 130 years, this correction was obviously successful
The bridge actually opened in 1883 when around 250,000 people turned up on the first day to see and walk this marvel.
Interesting Facts
When the bridge was completed, it was actually the highest structure in North America.
The bridge did not get its current name until 1915. before that it was known as either the New York and Brooklyn Bridge or the East River Bridge.
Up to 1930, there were wine cellars under the bridge - quite well decorated rooms but, sadly, no longer accessible..
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