New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-15
HARLEM BRIDGE IN 4 BUSTLE
WHEN THE DRAW CLOSES. THERE'S A MAD RUS
FROM EITHER SIDE

WHEN THE DRAW CLOSES. THERE'S A MAD RUSH
FROM EITHER SIDE.
A lively scene Is to be witnessed every time that
the Harlem Bridge is opened In the busy hours OF
the day. few mornings ago the drawbridge
opened exactly at 10 o'clock to accommodate score
OF tugs and lighters waiting just east OF the bridge
4 few knowing pedestrians who saw that the draw
was about to open made rush just before the
gates were closed. and. getting upon the draw,
made their way TO the opposite side trolley car
from the distant wilds beyond the Harlem found its
passage blocked by chain thrown across the en-
trance TO the bridge. The drivers OF trucks formed
In line behind the trolley car. and behind them other
cars and other trucks made a long line. Occasion
ally from the lips Of driver who was In hurry
would come strong expletves. but most OF the
persons who use the bridge are accustomed TO the
vaearies OF the draw and know that progress from
upper Thlrd-ave. to-Manhattan Island Is uncertain
and liable 10 constant interruption. Most OF the
delayed ones therefore leaned upon the rail- Of the
approach to the bridge and watched quietly the
panorama on the water below.
The present Harlem Bridge is a temporary sruct-
ire poorly instructed Of wood. and go fra that 1t
IS sometimes considered dangerous. Just south OF
the present structure contractors are building n
large fine iron bridge which Is TO take the place OF
old Harlem Bridge. known TO generation OF up
town residents The work OF building the centra!
pier and the shore walls makes 1t necessary for
containing
TO occupy a part OF the channel The north channel
is entirely closed az the drawbridge opens and only
the narrow southern channel Is left for the passing
craft a small tug puns and blows In its effort to
propei through the channel heavily laden canal
boat and succeeds In making. only slow progress.
while less burdened tugs wait their turn. large.
Handsomely lifted. heavy tugboat seems to look
down on las less, arisocrauc neghoors as II males-
tically makes us way past the open draw Few
boats wing 10 the west OF the bridge wait until
those coming In the opposite direction have passed
and then take their turn 49,,
The waiting crowd on the bridge mas by TINS time
grown largely In numbers. Two young men hurry
up to the front of the approach and look longinsiy
ond-ave. bridge The steamer Is already crowded on
every deck and warning bell tolls the approach OF
NOW she is going right away" says one OF the
NO" answers his companion that Is the five
minutes bell and We can still get there II the draw
will ever close" A.. a..
tugs and then glance envious toward other persons
who are walking across the higher Second-aye.
bridge and finding their way to the excursion steam
ever. and at last one Of tie young men mpatienty
on run for The entrance OF the secondave. bridge.
few blocks away They can oe seen ,h ster running
as the last whistle blows.
A large white tug appears iar to the east fons
indicate that IT, too desires to pass before the draw
is closed. Some small tugs which have been moored
through the channel while the eager captain Of the
signal He succeeds In reaching the bridge Just as
the last OF the slower vessels Is passing the draw.
and trIumphantly closes the long procession. a
haif-me to the west Is a tall tug which approaches
a. rapidly as It's heavy attendant scow wil permit.
pass before the draw Is closed The draw-master.
however has already accommodated as far as pos
vehicles and pedestrians must have Its turn
The draw closes slowly the gates are opened.
the trolley conductor who has been calmly
smoking a cigarette In front Of his car mounts his
car and all Is ready Sleeping Castle .awakes,
and the figures begin to move: as . the prince had
vehicles. but is itself preceded by . score Of I'm
patient foot travellers who have made rush for
the first places In the line and halfway across
the bridge when they meet the line OF passengers
from the other side. and then more slowly wind
their way through the crowd to their destinations
on the other side OF the river.