Brooklyn Bridge Granite Towers

Inside the limestone and granite structures that support the on ramps to the brooklyn bridge designer john a.

Brooklyn bridge granite towers.

The bridge was the first to use steel for cable wire and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time. Brooklyn bridge suspension bridge spanning the east river from brooklyn to manhattan in new york city. Specifically the work will correct structural deficiencies in the masonry arches of the bridge s approaches on both sides of the east river and will also rehabilitate the. This print from the mid 1860s shows the contemplated bridge.

The work was dangerous. The towers are built of limestone granite and cement. Commercial east river shipping and ferry operators in the 1860s protested when they foresaw that if the east river bridge in new york city proposed by john roebling b 1806. By 1876 three workers had died having fallen from the towers while nine other workers were killed in other accidents.

The last stone on the brooklyn tower was raised in june 1875 and the manhattan tower was completed in july 1876. The brooklyn bridge during its construction. Roebling in the 1850s. The saddle plates atop both towers were also raised in july 1876.

Drawings of the brooklyn bridge were first produced by john a. This drawing of the bridge is an accurate rendition of how the proposed bridge would look. Since 1883 its granite towers and steel cables have offered a safe. But there s been plenty of history and secrets along the way.

The first construction fatalities occurred on october 23 1871 when a pair of derricks used to haul granite blocks to the top of the bridge tower on the brooklyn side suddenly fell. The brooklyn bridge looms majestically over new york city s east river linking the two boroughs of manhattan and brooklyn. The bridge later dubbed the brooklyn bridge a name that stuck went on to become one of the most iconic landmarks in new york. Just as work was beginning on the bridge in the summer of 1869 tragedy struck.

The stone towers had arches reminiscent of cathedrals. Its deck supported by four. Roebling originally envisioned shopping arcades to be called the brooklyn bridge. John roebling severely injured his foot in a freak accident as he was surveying the spot where the brooklyn tower would be built.