Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-09-01
Niagara Suspension Bridge.

A correspondent of the Dover Morning
Star gives the following gragnic descrip-
ton OF this wonderful structure:
SIN my travels the other day in the vicin.
ity Of Niagara Falls, visited the renown.
ed wonder of the age in architecture, the
Suspension Bridge. 1t is built about two
miles below the laundering cataract and
attracts the attention of muititudes visiting
this locality of wonders. Twas not little
disappointed with the simplicity of its con-
struction. Ii has ever seemed to me an as.
tonishing prodigy OF modern times that
platform, capable of sustaining several tons
in weight, could be swung across gulf of
759 fee: in width, and more than 400 feet
IN depth: But when was permitted to see
how it was done, my greatest wonder was
that no inventive genius had devised, ma
tured, and executed the plan before Two
towers of 55 feet in height, are built in
collateral position on the verge of each lofty.
bank, with sufficient space.beiween- them
for the width Of the bridge. Over these.
high lowers are stretched 1867 warassf fsiza.
No. 10Y combined SO as to form six wire
ropes about the size Of a mans arm, and
are strongly fastened six or eight rods from
the shore. Three Of them ara placed on
each side of the platform, that bend down
within ten feet Of it; and TO these wires,
thus extended across the deep abyss, are at
tached strong iron cables that are fastened
10 the wooden platform, which hold securely
while the astonished traveller passes safely
over it. Several long iron cables extend
each way from the centre Of the bridge, in
diagonal direction 10 the rocky shore be-
meath to prevent its swinging. The height
of the platform above The surface Of the
water is 23s feet 1t is said that the depth
of the river directly under the centre of the
bridge is unknown. was told by those
living in the immediate vicinity, that they
had fathomed 400 feet and failed to touch
soundings. This would make the immense
cavity at least 63s feet deep! The weight
of the wire in the bridge is 35 tons, and
the weight of the flooring 40 tons-mak
ing IS tons total suspended weight. The
question may arise, how were these i'm.
mense cable wires swung across the deep
excavation? | have been informed that a
boys kite was first raised high in the air
and finally settled upon the opposite shore;
and then to the string was attached cord,
and TO this rope, and TO the rope strong
cable fastened to each shore, on which the
daring inventor crossed and recrossed in an
iron basket, until all the necessary materis
ais were suspended. | was not little sur
prised that no wood work TO hide the pros
pect at the sides of the bridge was built up
for protection; especially for those whose
heads are liable TO reel while looking down
upon the swift gliding stream below. The
whole is open; and men, women, and child
rem, horses, and animals of almost every,
description, pess over it with full gnze
upon the sublime scenery above, around,
and beneath. The :multitudes of iron ca
bles extending from the larger wire ropes
above to the flooring on which you stand.
together with n few wires thai run parallel
with the bridge form sufficient network
TO prevent falling off; but nothing hides
your vision from the deep cut over which
you pass. 1t is somewhat similar TO ride
over church steeple to cross this bridge
with a team. The nimble steeds exhibit
ted perfect quieiude while walking over it,
manifestipg no more indications of fear
than when tread ing upon terra frma.-
What will not the ingenuity Of man &c
complish?