New-York tribune., 1896-01-09
NO FEAR FOR THE BRIDGE.
NG-DISTANCE SHOOTING WOULD NOT
HURT THE STRUCTURE.
CHIEF ENGINEER MARTIN TALKS OF THE RE-
CENT DELAYS AND INCIDENTALLY EN-
PRESSES CONFIDENCE THAT THE BIG
SPAN COULD STAND A LOT
OF ROMEARDING.

OF BOMBARDING.
Chief Engineer c. c. Martin. OF the NewYork
and Brooklyn Bridge, was asked by Tribune re-
porter Yesterday whether or rot the accidents on
the cable cars. Tuesday and a third yes
terday morning, were due 10 the extreme cold
weather In reply Mr.. Martin said: Il do not
know. Every who has had experience IN hand
ling machinery ont OF doors knows that In cold
weather breakages are much more likely to occur
than in temperate weather. Whether or not these
mishaps due TO the cold alone would not
Ike say.
This much ! do know that the delay or Tues
day evening due to accident which had
never before occurred IN the history OF the
Bridge. The train. which heavily loaded
pulled out of the Ncw-York station all right. Co
Ing up the incline the NewYork approach the
gr;pman Of one of the cars put on his grip with ali
his force In fact. he used too much force for the
chain which forms part Of the mechanism OF the
grip parted and the cable began slip through
the grips Of the other three They held out,
however, until the train passed the summit OF the
Bridge. The sgnalman on the rear car. how
ever. did right when he s.gnaled the following
train 10 stop, and is entitled TO all praise for using
excellent judgment.
The accident this morning also OF char
acter IN the history OF tho Bridge. The delay
caused by the breaking of a part of the grip
known the yoke.
Mr. Martin then asked what effect solid
shot or she'll fred from one OF the ates, improved
guns a man-of-war off Sandy Hook. would
have II It should strike either Of the bridge towers
OF the cables. He replied he DID not think
there was the slightest chance that any conflict
would arise which would result In the BON bard
ment Of NewYork City by a foreign fleet. but said
that in the event Of any such conflict the Bridge
would stand any amount OF bombaraing.
Il do know exactly what these modern pro-
jectiles weigh said Mr. Martin. but this am
prepared TO say that shell or solid shot OF a
ton weight. fired from a point outside the harbor
no effect whatever. 4 dozen such shots might hit
the tower and would not do any material damage"
IL they fired from distance OF mile OF two
they might knock out few stones. hut the towers
would stand any amount OF bombardng.
IF a shot shell fired from outside the harbor
should strike OF the cables IL might dent or
damage ii slightly. but II would not break tho
cable. They made OF steel. as YOU know. ana
would stand any such shock without breaking
Even II one OF the cables should break. II would
not cause any injury to the towers. They would
stand every strain that the parted cable might
cause. In fact. the cable itself would not fan
and the Bridge structure would suffer no injury
l have doubt could run trains even should
one OF the cables be broken
"Or" continued Mr. Martin. ~ bomb fired
from heavy mortar should drop on the roadway
or on the cables o, the Bridge. IL might in tho
one case knock out few steel bars and tear a
hole through the roadway, but bomb would not
cut in two the cables seriously damage the
Bridge. In fact. any bombardment that destroyed
the Bridge would have to be at close range. 1t
would not be seriously damaged at long range