New-York tribune., 1901-07-25
BREAKS ON THE BRIDGE
NATURE OF THE ACCIDENT THAT
STOPPED TRAFFIC on THE
STRUCTURE


STRUCTURE.
More than fifty thousand persons. according to
the estimates of experts. walked across the
Brooklyn Bridge last evening some on their
way to their homes in Brooklyn and others re-
turning TO their homes in Manhattan The
trouble was due to the fact that at least twelve
OF the perpendicular cables that are attached To
the big cables which support the entire struct-
ure were broken. and at one time it was re-
ported that seventeen of these had parted
From $50 p. m. until S25 p m all the cars
were stopped with the exception Of two trains
that made only round trip each. For a
while trucks and wagons were allowed to cross
but by $50 even these were stopped and only
foot passengers were allowed to go on the
bridge
Not before since the bridge was built has there
been such a crush at the Manhattan entrance
as that which was there at 6 p. m 1t was the
busiest hour of the day. when thousands of
Brooklyn people go home from their work in
Manhattan. When the cars were stopped the
people were swarming upstairs 10 the bridge
cars and the Third-ave. elevated road was
pouring its thousands of passengers into the
upper passageways. The platforms upstairs
were thronged with people who anxiously asked
what was the trouble. Waiting trains were
filled with passengers. jammed together, and the
crowd pushed to the forward end of the
platform by the overcoming hrongs that knew
nothing Of the stOppage.
Downstairs the crush was worse BY hun
dreds in a steady stream the people came until
the surgi1g. pushing throng extended out from
the entrance, across the sidewalk and into the
street. blocking the road so that only with
difficulty could thse be forced slowly through
the mass
POLICE RESERVES CALLED OUT
Word was sent to Police Headquarters that
there was some trouble at the bridge. few
minutes later message over the telephone said
that the bridge had sagged six inches. Inspector
Cross left headquarters at once with twenty-five
men. and requisiton was made on twenty OF
the downtown precincts for 100 OF the reserves
march at to the bridge. Inspector
Brooks followed Inspector Cross as soon a pos
sible. Brooks took charge of the men down
stairs and Cross devoted his attention to the up
per part Of the bridge From Brooklyn fifty
policemen were ordered out. and the steamboat
squad was sent to the river uu1er the bridge 10
watch there for any accident that would give
them work to do. Fortunately they had none
The police handled the great crowds excel
lently. They went at once TO their posts with
out knowing what was the matter. advised d.
rected and helped everybody with politeness
and good nature. and by their own GOODNESS and
evident freedom from apprehension averted the
panic that might have followed any other de-
meanor on their part.
There appeared TO be ignorance of the cause
OF the trouble the part of everybody con-
nected with the bridge. At 7O4 p. m. a train
was started from the Brooklyn end Of the
+ bridge over the southern track On it were Act
ing Chief Engineer Samuel r. PrObasco OF the
Brooklyn Bridge. and some other officials. They
went on the north roadway, where the irons had
broken, TO make an examination. What they
found out they would not tell-not even to In
spector Cross. who would not allow the trains
another was sent from Brooklyn over the south
roadway. eight minutes after the frst-to re-
turn
INSPECTOR STOPS A TRAIN
The motorman of the first train was about to
start for Brooklyn with a load Of passengers
who had been allowed TO pay fares when the
Inspector who was standing the starters
shanty between the tracks. ordered him to stay
where he was Whether the motorman did not
recognize the Inspector. who in plain
cloths or had orders to proceed. he would not
saw But he began to turn on the power, and
stopped only when the Inspector told him in
no gentle terms that he would lock him up it
he moved that car inch.
II do not know what the damage is" said
Inspector Cross "and do not propose TO allow
a train to leave here until know everything
is all right"
Soon afterward Mr. Probasco entered the plat
form and told the Inspector that the bridge
''in it's normal condition" The two trains were
then allowed to start for Brooklyn. with only
few passengers The others had become tired
OF waiting and gone away. This was at 1888
p.
To Tribune reporter Mr.. Probasco said:
II do not know what caused the stoppage Of
traffic. II a panic. such takes hold Of
people without any reason The bridge is all
right
When he was reminded that panic does not
usually stop the from running he shrugged
his shoulders, and said:
1T did in this case"
He admitted that of the collars had
broken.
Not until S25 o'clock did the Rapid Transit
people send cars regularly the bridge and
then only six These shuttle fashion the
south roadway. the break on the north roadway
being sufficient TO make traffic over that road
inadvisable.
BY midnight they were running ten trolley
cars in the south roadway and four bridge
trains
PRoBAsCo SAYS THERE Is NO DANGER
Iatar in he avapipg Mr. Proha 500 again ..ta