New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-03-27
BRIDGE OYER THE EAST RIVER BE-
TWEEN NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.
To Ne rJifey u 7As N. Y. TSSsss.


SIR: Taking prospective view of the future
growth and development of tbs cities Of Ne p York and
Brooklyn, ssy fifty years ahead, when there viii be
mibobs Of people crowded both shores, the present
ode Of crossing the East River BY ferry boats will not
ory become totally inadequate to the wants of the
CT immunity, but if extended, viii, By causing DELAYS
SID collisions become the means Of seriously impeding
tie navigation. Whether the Est River win event
uay be converted into dock or remain as Il IT, the
obstruction ard delay caused by the constant crossing
Of the beats will be equally Objectionable II is plain
neNs Of crossing This new mode must be expe-
oiiious al safe, and murt not interfere with the ship
Iirp. Steps have been taken to secure charter from
The Leg slature to carry out the design.
The plan in its general features proposes wire sus
Del sion bridge crossing the East River by one single
span at tuch so elevation a. will not impede the navi
en,icn. The bridge floor will be continued on esch
side of the river descending at gentle rate and FORM
ing series Of large span: which will extend over sew
erhl squares without touching the roofs of the houses
Until the high ground is reached on which the sp
pIoscbes will be located. Only 20 much ground will
be permanently occupied between the river and the sp
prosches as will be wanted for the foundations of the
lowers The preeent desisp to build two floors ab
each otter sfn2ar to the Niagara bridge. The lower
floor will serve as ordinary road for all kinds Of
vehicles and passengers. The upper floor will support
two railroad tracks, on which two trains of cars will
be kept running back and forth, performing trip
IN the center of the bridge. They will be connected
end propelled by an endless wife rope, worked by
stationary engine at end One thousand passengers
may be conveyed every trip with all the e,se and COM
fort that well. constructed ventsed and warmed cars
will Sford. Strangers in the city will be induced to
ushe Tip for the cole purpose of enj Dying the grand
sight tuch passage will present. As work OF en-
ginteripg, the bridge viii be withou. rival. Ii Will
jog of the grsnde and most attractive features OF
the two sister cities The tops Of the towers, elevated
over SEQ f. e. would afford the best opportunity for
pctiipg up Government lights, Observatories, lsok'
outs, &c.
TIE rate of accent and descent, the grade Of the
bridge i'll depend upon the elevation of the river span,
and The Il caify of the approaches. Twill here remark
that the lots aggregate hight Of the mainma,t OF the
clipper chip Red Jscket Of the largest of it's class
messures 80 feet from the step, which length includes
the topnsst topgallant royal and sky sail. This would
be about 900 feet above the water In connection with
this ,ubect is proper to add that the present ten.
dency to reduce rather than to increae, the hight oil
ship masts To attain the hight Of 200 feet 1t is pecs-
ssry only to 90 back far as the Park on the New
York side, without iesorting to sleeper grade tn An
tbr degrees or about FIVE feet 10 hundred.
l. il not iItended to supersede tire existing fer
RES A large portion Of the commercial community,
psactiDg business the river either side, will
continue TO pstronze them in preference to the bridge
BY the time the bridge be completed, the inter-
course between the two cities will have 80 much in
creased that not only all the exisog ferries may be
suppcrted but enough will be left to make the bridge
1--WE ,tment one of the best stocks in tbs c)uDtry.
JOHN A. ROEBLlNG. Civil Engineer.