Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-25
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES.

SOME INTERESTING FIGURES.
The weight of the central span is 6740
tons, and the estimated weight of a crowded
bridge, carts, people aud all, is 1880 tons.
These supporting tables must therefore be
capable of holding up S120 tons, and il is
calculated that the lengthwise pull in the
cables becomes about 1900 tons and their
extreme strength 5000 tons. AS the struc-
ture now presents itself there are five psral.
lei avenues. about sixteen feet wide. The
outer two, nineteen feet wide, are devoted to
vehicles, and the central road, fifteen and a
hall feet wide, is devoted to pedestrians. The
view-but never mind the yiew, that will
spealI for itself, snd loudly. On either side
Of this elevated footpath is an avenue for the
use Of aurface cars, one line going to Brook
iyn, the other coming to New York. 1t i.
intended 10 keep the cars continually on the
go by means Of continuous chain, and once
on the passengers will not be able 10 get off.
Neither will they be permitted to get on at
any point save at the termini of the road. It
would be useless TO enter into the detail OF
further preparation or work. Suffice it th at
alter the anchorEges were built, the towers
sent far toward the heavens and the cables
we'll under way the vast mechanism was
so far progressed toward the desired end as
to leave all else TO question of time. The
cables we're PROPERLY located, coated and
painted. The flooring is itself matter of
interest and expense, of scientific design
and expert manipulation. 1t is done and
ready for Its work. Forty millions of people
will test its strength ere the year rolls by,
and victory will perch upon the banners Of
all connected with it, unless it falls into the
waves beneath. The mechanical intricacies
of the trusses, the suspenders, the joints, the
braces, the planks and the beams are of in
70 4I,zna L..
They are part and parcel of a system which
on the 24th of May will be tested.
"And have there been no mistakes?"
Possibly. Bat aside from the alterations
in the original plan, as given above, there
are none on record"
"And no casuslties"
"lndeed there have been. Not less than
twenty men directly connected with the
work have paid the debt of nature. The sad
death OF Chief Engineer John A. Roebling
cast shadow upon the enterprise from the
first. The FIRST treasurer, Mr.. John II.
Prentice, one of Brooklyn's choicest spirits,
and Henry c. Murphy, long the president of
the company, are among those who drew out
a. the command OF the Supreme Power. Mr..
Murphy was inSuc<d by DC. hinsei~y ei
most at the start 10 take an interest in the
enterPrise,-s his tact and acquaintance
among the Democrats in Albany enabled
him to do yeoman's service with his wing of
politicians, as Mr.. J. s. T. Stranahan's ma a.
nipulative facility WAS aided by the Repub-
cans. The record shows that twenty men
have been fatally injured on and about the
works, while DR.. Smith says that Of the
hundred and more cases of caisson disease
three died after a brief illness and probably
more ultimately"
THE ROMANCE OF THE BRIDGE.
The Brooklyn bridge has its romance,
says the New York World. In 1867, when
the first bridge company was formed, the
distinguished engineer, John A. Roebling,
was at once secured as the chief engineer of
the work. His thorough practical knowledge
OF the construction of suspension bridges
pointed him out as the proper person for the
position. He had already contemplated such
a structure, and felt a warm interest in the
enterprise. He embarked in it with enthu-
sissm, and for two years worked faithfully at
the important preliminaries. One day, while
standing on the pier at the ferry-slip on
the Brooklyn side, his foot was accidentally
crushed. Sixteen days after this unfortunate
occurrence the engineer died of lockjaw, be-
fore stroke Of actual construction had been
done on the bridge. Here was one valuable
life sacrificed to the great work. The dead
% ana Eon. ~ko- o-vals 7a.aili~r with all his
Plaus, took nls piaCe a5 cntel engineer. Like
his father, he was devoted TO the enterprise.
He labored at it more diligently and for
more hours of the day than any of
his suOordinates, until a disease, con-
tracted through constant exposure TO the
damp of the foundations, destroyed his
health. Three years after his fathers death
he was physically prostrated, although his
mind remained as clear as ever. He re-.
moved to he use on Brooklyn Hights, from
the windows of which he could constantly
watch and direct the work, although his
limbs were powerle 3. For twelve years his
brain has been lsboring op the Undertaking,
while the devotion ana intelligence of his
wife have mxde up ior the loss of his bodily
activity. Col. Roebling's health has been
sacrificed 20 the work, perhaps hey ond reeoy.
cry. His suferings, his perseverance, aud
the assistance he receives from his wife's de-
votion call to mind the case of Mr. Henry
Fawcett, the Euglish Postmaster. General,
who, although afflicted with blindness, car
ries on with the aid of his wife one of the
most exacting and laborious departments OF
the government. Despite their misfortunes,
MIR. Fawcett's administration is vigorous and
efficient, and Col. oebling's brain work hiss
been of ines.im abe value 10 the bridge en-
tarnriaa