The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-05-24

The cables also stretch acroes the nver,
sunk TO the bottom. SO far as we can d s.
cover, only two of the cables snapped assun-.
der aud that on the outside Of the towers, the
rest of the breakage being at their connec-
tons with the anchors. Il
For mechanical solution OF the unexpect-
ed fall Of this stupendoss structure, we must
await further developments. We witnessed
the terrific scene and saw that it was brought
about by the tremendous violence OF the gale /
The great body of the flooring and the suS-
penders, forming something like basket
swung between the towns, was swayed 10
and fro, like the motion vi a pendulem. Tie
cables on the south side were finally thrown
of the apex 81 the eastern tower, retaining
their position on the tower on the opposite
eide OF the river. Tais destroyed the eqiili-
brium OF the swinging body; and each vibra-
lion giving it increased momentum, the ca
bles, which sustained the whole structure,
were unable 10 resist a force operating on
them in SO many diff rent directions, and
were literally twisted and wrenched from
their fastenmgs.
The SUBMITS of the towers on each size
are several feet above the arch which untes
/ them Upon the SUBMITS the cables rested
on iron rollers, and it is supposed by some
That the jar produced by the SUDDEN falling of
the cables of one side from the roller To the
connection arch below, was the cause of the
disaster. Whether this is philosophical
conclusion, or whether the result would have
been different if the towers had not been
separated, is a question which we leave to
future investigations.
The flooring as it struck the water was
broken into three sections, and extended
across the river, entirely blockadlng the
channel for u while. Las evening that por-
ton across the channel was cut away, and
removed by the steamer Thos. Swami, so
that the channel is now free for the passage
OF bonts.
We cannot estimate the inconvenience
which will be caused to trade and travel, and
the mail transit by the loss of this bridge. 1t
is one of the heaviest caamities which has
ever fallen OH our city, but we believe the
; enterprise and public spirit of our citizens
will repair the loss as speedily as any com.
munity could possibly do.--Temporary ferry
boats have been provided and their places
will soon be supplied by the best boats which
can be procured. For further arrangements,
we look hop fully to the future.
1t is u source of graduation that no lives
were lost by this disaster. We were among
the last persons who left the bridge from this
=, side, and although many on both sides were
just awaiting 10 90 upon II, they were lUrtu-
) nately detained. We saw 30 one upon il
when il fell, and SO far as We have learned,
one Little girl, daughter Of M'. Lukens, on the
island, is the only one who was injured, and
she not dangerously. She was standing on
5 this side waiting for the wind TO subside, and
. was struck Dy something which bruised, her
~ al.
will disclose no more bodily Injury.
THE RUINs.-We yesterday visited the
ruins of tn. magnificent bridge which re-
Gently spanned our river, and found that tie
account we gave Yesterday morning of the
{ disaster, was iull and correct in every mate
rial particular. Much Of the remains car
be used again
The towers are unipjured, with the excep-
ticn of few fractures at the top. They
, constitute. we suppose. an item Of one-ihird
the cost of the bridge.
Ill the flooring, cross timbers, ratings and
iron susoendefs we're precipi,ated into the
river where they are now lying.
Only two cables remain rriched over the
r towers. The others either broken by
the anchorage, or dragging the bottom OF
the river.
Only one cable. the small one on the
South side. is broken between the towers.
On the island all the cables are firmly an
chored, and only one is broken between the
anchors and the tower.
An idea of the tremendous force which
dashed the structure to pieces, may be OBJ.
tanned from booking at the position Il the
one cable OIL the island which is snapped
asunder. II is composed Of $50 strands OF
No. 10 wire. When it broke, it gyrated
: around in aim st every Imaginable direction,
5 and the huge thing is now cOlej and twisted
q aud looks m, ch like a serpent grown stiff in
/ the act of striking mortal blow.
/. We stated yesterday that as near Us We
@ could perceive at any one time the position
/. Of the flooring when The whole body of The
woodwork and suspenders was eaping ana
i lnnging in the air, there was once or twice a
twist along the whole span, and that part
!. Of the flooring was turned bottom, upward
. We discover that such was really the case.
I, The whole body of the flooring and railing
was broken into three sections before it fell.
The section at the West end is about $50
feet lorg and fell bottom down. The Sec
, ton at the East end was abou, 500 feet long,
and also fell with the bottom down; but the
middle section where the twist occurred, fell
, with the bottom up.
PREPARATIONS FOR REBUILDING THE
BRIDGE We are graIified to announce that
, the Bridge Company. at a meeting held yes
terday, resolved 10 replace the bridge VI ich
has just been destroyed, at the earliest day
practit able, and appointed a committee To re-
port with all possible dispatch the measures
necessary TO be taken for the accomplish.
ment of the work. In this prompt action
there is a wisdom and determination which
, cannot but lead to the most favorable results
4 which our citizens, ard The vast interests
abroad with which this subject is identified,
could require Il Wash. Intel.
= BROKE JArS.-Much excitement was crea.
. Cd IN Wednnsdau h,,t III i.I g.