The New York herald., 1873-10-20
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
The New York Tower Completed-Worlx ON
the Brooklyn Tower and Approaches
Gable Anchor Plates I'm Positfon-Ex-
periments ON Steel Wire.

The New York Tower Comploted-Worlx ON
the Brooklyn Tower and Approached
Gable Anchor Plates I'm Position-Ex-
periments ON Steel Wire.
The New York tower OF the Brooklyn Bridge has
Just been completed, and the work OF removing
from the top the large derrcks and booms which
capable OF reaching all parts OF the structure
has been going on during the week. These are to
be replaced by two balance derricks and travelling
cranes suited to the erection OF the three columns
similar to those the Brooklyn side. The business
OF lowering these heavy pieces Of woodwork and
hosting others TO sucn great height, though per-
formed almost entirely by steam will occupy
several weeks. Both towers now finished to
the roadway-that is, up 119 feet ABOVE mean high
water mark-but in the centre OF the main there
will be rise OF 10 feet making the height 135 feet
above high water mark.
ON THE BROOKLYN SIDE
the three columns standing on the tower are COM
plete up to the point OF turning the arches, and
several courses of masonry have been laid above
this point. These columns run As feet upward.
The two corner ones are "a feet wide; the centre
one is 10 feet inches wide. The two open spaces
on line with the roadway each SO feet inches
wide, while the entire width OF the bridge is So
feet The arches now In progress Will measure 80
ieet from apex to top OF column, and above this
Will be an additional structure, through which the
cables to pass, including elevation of IL feet
to form cornces and balustrades, making the total
for the Brooklyn approach have been going on for
some time. Six courses OF masonry are already
laid, bringing the work up to the surface ground:
attaching the cables are already in position on
James street, at point OIL feet from the tower.
THE NEW YORK APPROACH.
The New York approach, like the Brooklyn one,
will be 100 feet wide. 1t will begin near tue City
one end of the cable is to be anchored. From the
City Hall to the tower is 1862 feet three-tenths
OF mile. The ascent and descent will be gradual
and AnQd m made rtoT m hnth al 10
Stood that when person starts Tor trip 10
Brooklyn, the matter OF mounting 110 feet over
buildings and above the mast OF ships Will hardly
be felt while the descent will be equally gentle
hardly percepthle. No work has yet been COM
menced In connection with the cables on TINS side
culties in obtaining the right OF way and securing
the necessary property in both cities There has
by failure of supply or stone. These impediments.
IL is understood, have been removed.
THE WORK TO BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED.
Colonel Paine the engineer IN charge states
that operations will be vigorously prosecuted to
the latest moment OF the season. The stone arrives
regularly from the quarres in Maine, and Is stored
In large quantities at the company's yard at Red
Hook, from whence 1t is conveyed In lighters to
the foot OF Roosevelt street as required. When
the surveys were commenced In 1869 it was gem
orally supposed that the bridge would be com
pleted and open for travel in five years. The en-
terprise Is gigantic one and the time required
to finish 1t could not be fixed with any degree OF
certainty The caissons presented some serious
at the bed Of the river commenced in January,
1870, and by perseverlng labor the foundations or
the tower on the New York side were laid seventy
eight feet below high water mark. This In itself
was great engineering triumph and settled all
doubts as TO the success OF the bridge IL is prob
able that 1879 will be upon US before 1t VIII be In
full operation.
TIRE SPAN.
experiments are now being made on steel wire
70 De used for the construction OF the suspension
bridge. The material can be obtained In any guam
tity needed for the purpose. There Is 20 De an
elevated promenade the entire length OF the Drdge
above the car track, which will AFFORD pedestnans
fine view Of the shipping and buildlngs Deneasa
their feet The length Of the span OF tne IlvSs -
1896 feet and the total length from the new YORK
terminus to the Brooklyn terminus, D sss Icet. OF
about one and 0ne-eignth miles wnen .nls gasas
enooded and always available line OF communicar
J aoh DogWsen this and our sister city,