THE GREATEST BRIDGE IN THE WORLD.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3802, 5 March 1881, Page 4

THE GREATEST BRIDGE IN THE WORLD.

The Brooklyn Bridge, which is now nearing completion, spanning the arm of the sea which separates New York from Brooklyn, is without doubt the boldest undertaking in the way of a bridge structure ever attempted. As a work of engineering skill it cannot be fully appreciated without knowing something of its magnitude and the uses to which it is designed. The total length of this bridge is 5,989 ft, and width 85ft. The central or river, span is 1,595 ft being 600 ft greater than the now widest span. This is suspended from four great cables, each 15fin. in diameter, running over two towers,,.one on each side of. the river, 278 ft in ;height above high water mark. These cables are each composed of 5,296 parallel (not twisted) galvanised oil-coated wires closely wrapped in a solid cylinder. The clear height of the bridge in the centre of the river span is to be 135 ft. The construction of this bridge was com menced; January 2, 1870, and its builders are now laying the roadway wires. It is now estimated that it will Hot be finished before 1882. and that it will cost when completed at least 18,000,000d0L The original estimate of the cost was 9,000,000d01, and upon this hypothesis its construction was begun and carried on until now its towers are the most prominent objects seen by the incoming mariner. The time for counting the cost or weighing the wisdom of' the two cities-engaging in such a tremend us enterprise is now past, and whether the advantages that are to accrue to the public will be adequate to the cost of the work or not, it must be fiaished. Then America may, with good reason, claim the greatest bridge in the world —a bridge that engineers and strangers will regard with wonder and admiration.