New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-15
WIRE FOR THE GREAT BRIDGE.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE KIND or STEEL TO BIZ
USED, AND THE TESTS.


As the New-YOrk and Brooklyn bridge is
continued in its progress toward completion inter
esing questions arise its cost the strength OF the
cables and other points About twenty wires now span
the river and narrow fOOtbridge Is being laid upon
them. In S68 it was approximately estimated that the
bridge would cost S7,O00o00 In this estimate Col
Roebng-who then the engineer. but who has since
died-dd not take into consideration the expenditure
for land, but simply the cost of tic structure ITSELF
More than OO0 600 has already been expended upon
it, Col Roebng's SON. upon whom rests the super
vision OF the work, in revising his estimates In 1872
claimed that the amount necessary to complete the
bridge was So 800 900. II is thought that this Is
far below the sum which viii be expended.
The question of most vital importance at present Is to
decide what kind OF steel TO be used III the cables
II is not matter of economy so much as OF durability
IL estimated that cost of the steel wire will he
nearly 81, 100000 Bids have been invited for furnish
ing this, and there Is some controversy whether tnc
cables shall be made of Bessemcr cfucbc steel In
regard the provision is that one ring i'll every
40 shall be tested by cutting off piece OF wire 60 feet
long, and weight shall be applied as to indicate the
strength OF SO of wire, until strain Of 500 pounds
is reached" Abam 5. Hewitt says in his letter 10 Henry
c. Murphy President of the Board OF Trustees OF the
bridge, that his knowledge Of Bessener steel leads HIM
10 the conclusion that the specifications do not afford
sufficient protection against the delivery OF strands of
wire OF unsuitable quality If they are made from Bes-
is that is apt have weak spots Of which there is DO
external indication. This il probably due 10 the in
closure Of bubbles OF air in the mass possibly TO the
oxidation of minute particles Of the material Will: the
air is being driven into il under high pressure. No
amount of visual inspection determine in what part
of the ingot the rod strand OF wire such defects VIII
occur and Mr.. Hewitt declares that he has lccn Bes-
semer rods break under apparently very inadequate
strain Mr. Hewitt thinks, however, that the contract
should DC awarded 10 lowest bidder without regard
to the process by which the steel Is manufactured
and that the material Is Steel and VIII stand the
tests provided for the specifications, and proper IN.
spectOn secured, the duty OF tie trustees II discharged
when they award tie contract Ia the lowest bidder lie
recommends that the bid OF john A. kOebings SoDs
COMPANY which appeared 20 be the lowest to furnish
g. 100 tons steel wire al G cents per pound should be
accented This bid does state what kind OF steel VIII
furnished Mr. Hewitt liners that II 10 OF the BcS
semer pcnt and such that IL Will IN all respects con
form TO the specifications and be subjected 10 the tests
therein provided for He closes his letter with confess
ing that he has grave doubts that he woud not
venture record his vote favor OF Besnier steel
upon the provided for III the specifications
Mr. Knscla expresses the opinion that cruciDe steel
IL admittedly higher grade than BoSsciner. and only
the highest grade Of steel should be used The DIM renee
i'm he price between Bcssmcf and cuclbc steel would
lee between 81 10000 and 100000 in WORK involving
cost OF Sl3OOOOO0. which he did not think TOO great
and the competition the manufacture OF the Two
grades OF steel was sharp that the trustees were cer-
lain 10 get steel of the hest sort 81 the lowest price
Ii thought by OF the directors Jlat III VIII DC
ADMIRABLE 10 reinyte bids for steel wire.