The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-12
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
PRKPARING TO LAY rHR CABLKs-THE WORK
ING ROPES GOING UP.

ING ROPES GOING UP.
The work OF preparation for tho laying OF the nrst
wires OF the Brooklyn Bridge goes steadily at the
Brooklyn anchorage. The first step In this preparation
is be the stretching from the Brooklyn to the New
York anchorage OF two working ropes. These ropes
made Of thin wire strands and now lying ree'cd
in two of feet each the loot of the Brook
Ign The ends being passed yesterday over
the tower and by the aid OF stand temporarily erected
outside Of the fence around the tower were conveyed
to tho anchorage Here tho ends fastened to ma
chincry prepared for them. This machinery consists
OF wheels arranged top of the anchorage and
which to be worked by engine now beng set IN
position the ground At the foot OF tho anchorage.
One OF the wheels is eleven feet in diameter and The
other three are each four feet IN diameter The largo
wheel is placed in froat The working rope is first
passed through groove in OF tho smaller wheels,
whence it goes into the groove In the larger wheel
and Is passed back again to the large Wheel alter
rounding which the second is passed to the
third wheel and through the groove Of that whoe
passes outward again toward the tower When the
of rope shall have been securely fastened 10
this machinery the reels will be placed scow, and
the scow Is towcd the ropes VIII be unwound ana
pertted 10 sink 10 the bottom OF the river, the other
ends fastened at the top Of the Now York tower Then
by the aid Of the machinery described, the ropes Will
be stretched 10 level with the tops oil the anchorages,
Alter this the ends VIII DO Joined anu
endless cnaln formed, tuis Cuuiu UcluS
the first movement toward the stretching
OF the wires which to form the first cables. the
working ropes eighths OF foot to the pound,
and WIN bear breaking strain oil eighteen tons 10 tue
loot, They will not, however, bo required to stand
than third OF this strain Tho first step ai
ter the construction OF this endless cham VIII be tho
erection OF foot bridge. This work can be accom-
pshcd without much difficulty by The aid OF tho work
ing ropes. In about week the working ropes will
be up and ready for use on section OF the bridge
similar endless chain will be constructed ON tho
other section week aiterward Four cradle ropes,
and hrec-eghth inches IN diameter and the loot
bridge rope, Two and ivcelghth inches IN diameter.
Will be stretched, and by The AID OF the live
ropes just mentioned that the first wires OF the cables
be stretched The cradles wooden scafoldngs
forty long and four feet widemere frames
with planking To walk They are to rest across
the wires running from pier 10 pier and anchorage to
anchorage Three VIII be the water on each 500
side OF the pers-,naking SIX in all above the
water-and two on each OF tho sections between the
piers and anchorages The cross beams OF the loot
bridge arc 10 be OF oak, two aud halt by six and
halt inches and three feet long The ratings 10 be
formed OF two oak Stats each side attached to the
suspcndcrs The foot bridge Will be well secured and
tho of the foot bridge and the placing of
the cradles position the next thing in order will DO
the sending out OF the wiro for the cables Several
wooden "drunls' are now n readiness Tor tins
purpose ON top of the Brooklyn anchorage.
These are about leet diameter and some
teen eighteen inches wide in The ear, with rims
about hall depth. They lifted with spokes
Ike the steering wheel OF vessel Each drum VIII
hold about ton Of wire. The wires forming the
cables to DO about onccighth Of an inch in dame
ter, and 1t Will require g. 900 OF these wires to form
,ach OF the cables. by mechanical contrivance
for tho purpose the wires will be run on the end
less working ropes from anchorage to anchorage
through the piers and the anchor bars ut
either side OF the The cables are to be
formed OF twisted wires, as some suppose but the
OF wires will be bound together at regular dis
tanccs making each cable as firm SO much Steel
Each OF the first two cables will DO l54 inches in
diameter. The floor OF the bridge when completed
will clear the by about 200 feet the centre,
and tho width OF its roadway Will be eighty leet