alb4012045

Construction of the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge, New York, USA, 1880. Artist: Unknown

Construction of the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge, New York, USA, 1880. Top: laying cable - view of saddle and yoke at the top of one of the towers. Bottom: the bridge during construction. On the left is a drum from which wire is being drawn. After delivery from the factory, the wire was dipped in oil, dried in the air, then dipped again, until a coat of hardened grease had been built up. Designed by John Augustus Roebling (1806-1869) this suspension bridge over the East River was heralded as one of the most important construction projects of the 19th century. When completed in 1883 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Roebling died of tetanus in 1869 after his foot was crushed in an accident during construction. His son, Washington (1837-1926), took over as chief engineer, and saw the project to its successful conclusion with the assistance of his wife Emily after Washington himself was incapacitated by an attack of the bends suffered while working below the river bed. From Appleton's Cyclopaedia of Applied Mechanics (New York, 1880).
Share
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Add to another lightbox

Add to another lightbox

add to lightbox print share
Do you already have an account? Sign in
You do not have an account? Register
Buy this image
Loading...
Title:
Construction of the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge, New York, USA, 1880. Artist: Unknown
Caption:
Construction of the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge, New York, USA, 1880. Top: laying cable - view of saddle and yoke at the top of one of the towers. Bottom: the bridge during construction. On the left is a drum from which wire is being drawn. After delivery from the factory, the wire was dipped in oil, dried in the air, then dipped again, until a coat of hardened grease had been built up. Designed by John Augustus Roebling (1806-1869) this suspension bridge over the East River was heralded as one of the most important construction projects of the 19th century. When completed in 1883 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Roebling died of tetanus in 1869 after his foot was crushed in an accident during construction. His son, Washington (1837-1926), took over as chief engineer, and saw the project to its successful conclusion with the assistance of his wife Emily after Washington himself was incapacitated by an attack of the bends suffered while working below the river bed. From Appleton's Cyclopaedia of Applied Mechanics (New York, 1880).
Credit:
Album / Oxford Science Archive / Heritage Images
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3337 x 5237 px | 50.0 MB
Print size:
28.3 x 44.3 cm | 11.1 x 17.5 in (300 dpi)