Back in the South

The Brooklyn Bridge is an amazing example of engineering. There are a handful of bridges that lead one in and out of Manhattan, but the Brooklyn Bridge is the only one I have seen up close.

The Brooklyn Bridge was completed and opened May 24, 1883. That day 150,000 people walked over the bridge. Only 1,800 vehicles crossed that day. The toll was 5 cents. The 4 main suspension cables used are 15 3/4″ in diameter and were referred to as wire rope. 3600 miles of wire were used to make the cables. They were designed by John A. Roebling, as was the whole project. When Mr. Roebling died from infections caused by an accident at the site that crushed one of his feet, his son took over and complete the job. The total span of the bridge is 5989 feet. It was the first cable bridge ever built.

These are just a few facts about the Bridge. It’s history is very well documented as it was the largest undertaking, by far, of it’s kind at the time. 20 to 30 people were killed during construction. There were probably lot’s more, but not all were reported or recorded.

The Brooklyn Bridge was built using many different engineering techniques for the first time ever. Saturday was another big day for the Brooklyn Bridge, It was our first time to walk over it, into Brooklyn. It was a great walk and you should do it every chance you get.