The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York. Designed by John A. Roebling, the bridge was an engineering marvel of its time. Roebling, however, did not live to see its completion; he died of tetanus after a construction accident, and his son, Washington Roebling, took over the project.
During construction, Washington suffered from decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," which confined him to his apartment. Despite this, he continued to supervise the work with the help of his wife, Emily Warren Roebling, who played a crucial role in the bridge's completion, acting as a liaison between her husband and the engineers on-site.
The bridge's construction featured several pioneering techniques. It was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire, which provided greater strength and durability. The main span of the bridge is 1,595.5 feet (486.3 meters), making it the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its opening. The stone towers, which are 276.5 feet (84.3 meters) tall, were designed in a Gothic style with pointed arches and are made from limestone, granite, and Rosendale cement.
One lesser-known fact about the Brooklyn Bridge is the use of caissons in its construction. These watertight chambers allowed workers to dig and lay the foundations of the towers underwater. However, working in these caissons was extremely dangerous, and many workers suffered from caisson disease due to rapid changes in air pressure.
The bridge also has a hidden chamber. In 2006, a Cold War-era bunker was discovered in the masonry of the bridge's Manhattan anchorage. The bunker, stocked with survival supplies such as water drums, medical kits, and blankets, was intended to be used as a fallout shelter.
The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge was a significant event, attended by thousands of New Yorkers, including President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland. Initially, the bridge was used for horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians; today, it carries vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, being a vital transportation link and a popular tourist attraction.
In its long history, the Brooklyn Bridge has been a witness to numerous events, from celebrations to tragic incidents, such as the 1883 stampede caused by fears of the bridge collapsing. Despite these challenges, it remains an iconic symbol of New York City and an enduring testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.