Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-07-23
BIG BRIDGE GOING.
The Great Brooklyn Suspension
win Not Last Long.
Censtant Strain Upon 1t VIII Soon Wear
It Out-The Mammoth Structure
VIII Fau When vibra-
tlOn Coosoo


tion Ceasea
The Brooklyn bridge is doomed. Civil
engineers are specializing now as to it's
length of life. Their attention has been
attracted to it by the discovery that the
span of life of steel structure is much
more limited than popularity supposed.
Its life is largely numbered by its
vibrations. 1t has been found that
every bridge can stand so many and
then the end comes like the sudden
stoppage of human pulse. In his la
boratory in Long Island city Prof.
Alvah II. Sabin, an eminent authority
ON the deteriorating influences that
steel structures are subjected to, il
1aboring night and day to discover some
4 protection against the dreaded effect
Of corrosion and rust. His investiga-
tions have led engineers to turn their
eyes to steel bridges, and more particu-
]arly to the Brooklyn bridge, as its life
interests two cities. To engineers such
structures always appear lifelike. and
they refer to their birth" and nature
and AILMENTS" much the same as if
they were discussing the anatomy of
human being.
Prof. Sabin said when seen: There
are many deteriorating influences
which are even now sapp.ng the life of
the bridge. The prime. pal trouble is
the care OF the cables, because the other
parts which may be effected can all be
replaced little by little"
what precautions have been taken
to care for the cables?' he was asked.
II don't know what has been done
for them, but l do know that if they
are not thoroughly protected against
cOrrosion in some way they will GER
tainly wear away and become weak
ened."
A railroad engineer who was seen in
dorsed everything that had been said
by Prof. Sabin, and added: 1.-THE fact
Of professional men making intricate
and abstruse computations as to the
probable life or period Of actual dura-
bility of the bridge does not imply that
it is unsafe or in any immediate danger
Of falling into desuetude or collapse.
The question is not n Hypothetical one,
but is founded upon existing, influences
that are constantly tending toward de-
tcrioration and prospective results.
These may have suf1iced to suggest Q
doubt as to it's durability.
THE rushing train traffic on the
Brooklyn bridge, which is likely to be
doubled in the next few years. is has
tening this end, though it may yet be
many decades distant. The vibrations
resulting from this heavy train traffic
are beyond computation. They rarely
cease"
What other ailments threaten the
bridget" was asked
"Well, there are corrosion and rust;
they are enemies of all iron. The cor
rosion caused by the vapor from salt
water, which this aerial highway spans,
is the worst in form, and it's effect is
most dire in dcstructiveness. The hcavj
train traffic cannot fail to cause the
steel wire cables to sag in course OF
time, while the iron saddles upon which
they rest OH top OF the towers must be-
come affected by both rust and zorro
sion. Once the action of corrosion sets
in the process of the chemical action il
very quick. The Whole iron structure
is moving one. The necessary provi.
siOns for expansion and contraction by
heat and cold make 1t such. I hus there
is constant friction to be added to the
other causes of deterioration"
"How long will the Brooklyn bridge
live?"
well, deprived of the heavy trair
traffic, the structure might last for cen
turics. But with the combination OF
influences adverse to it's durability it,
days Of utility appear to be numbered
1t may see the end Of it's usefulness in
so or 100 years, but it will always bt
possible to rcsuscitate and strength
en- it by using cantilever iron beams
beneath the big spans. This woult
give q new lease of life to the sol
structure.
The indications are, however, tina,
long before the time for these antici
pated changes arrives the bridge as il
stands now will have become entirely
inadequate for it's intended purpose
Coming generations are likely to Sex
the central portion removed and re
rlaced by a double-deck bridge, with
extension sidewalks running alongside
Of the present approaches and outside
OF the existing towers. The exigencies
Ot the times will demand this. The pas
senger depots at either terminus of the
bridge have already had to be enlarged
and rebuilt on account of their in
capacity. The same causes will in the
future prevail in favor of other changes
Tor the accommodation of the steadily
increasing bridge traffic. Y. Jour
nAl.
8vsPybody says So.
Cescarets Candy Cathartic, the most VOL
0orful medical diacoverv of the ace De0,