Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-08-12

NIAGARA SUSPENSION BRIDGE.---A cores
pondent Of the Dover Morning Star gives the follow
Ing graphic description of this wonderful structure:
In my travels the other day in the vicinity of
Niagara Falls, L visited the renowned wonder of the
age IN architecture, the great Suspension Bridge 1t
Is punt about two miles below the Numbering catar
act, ana attracts the attention of mutudes visiting
'his locality oil wonders. was not little disap-
pointed with the simplicity Of its construction 1t
mas ever seemed TO me astonishing prodigy of
modern times, that platform, capable of sustaining
several tons IN weight, could be swung across gulf
OF foe leet IN width, and more than 400 feet in
depth. But when | was permitted to see how il
was done, my greatest wonder was that no inventive
genius had devised, maured, and executed the plan
before. Two towers Of 55 feet in height, are built
IN a collateral position on the verge of each lofty
Dank, with sufficient space between them for the
bridge. over these towers are stretched 1867 wires
lsize NO I'D combined so TO form six wire ropes
about the size of mans arm, and are strongly ias-
tened SIX or eight rods from the shore. Three of
them are Placed each side of the PLATFORM that bend
down within ten feet of it; and TO these wires thus
extended across the deep abyss, attached strong
IRON cables that are fastened 10 the wooded PLATFORM
which holds 1t securely while the astonshed travel
Ter passes safely over ii.
Several long iron cables extend each way from the
centre OF the bridge, in diagonal direction, 10 the
rocky shore beneath, to prevent its swinging. The
height OF the platform above the surface of the water
Is 2SS 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 4Ol feet and failed to touch
soundlngs. This would make the immediate ca witty
at least S3s feet deep! The weight of the wire in
the bridge is 35 tons, and the weight of the flooring
40 tons-making IS tons total suspended weight
The question may arise: how were these immense
wire cables swung across the deep excavation! !
have been informed that boy kite was first raised
high in the air and finally settled on the opposite
shore; and then to the string was attached cord
and to this rope, and to the rope a strong cable
fastened to each shore, which the daring inventor
crossed and recrossed in iron basket, until all the
necessary materials were suspended
was not little surprised that no woodwork tc
hide the prospect at the sides of the BRIDGE was
built up Tor 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 children, horses and amin al.
OF almost every description, pass over il with ful
gaze upon the sublime scenery above, around, and
beneath. The multtudes of iron cables, extending
from the larger wire ropes above TO the flooring on
which you stand, together with few wires that run
parallel with the bridge, furnish sufficient net
work to prevent falling off, but nothing hides youl
vision from thu, deep cut over which you pass. il
| Is somewhat similar to ride over church steeple
to cross this bridge with team The nnbe steed.
exhibited perfect quietude while walking over it
manIfestlng no more indications of fear than wher
treadlng upon terra frmo. What will not the in
| genulty of man accomplish?