Year: 1876

At the time the report of the operations
on the bridge, in these columns. closed on
Saturday, the workmen were suspended
over the river cutting the lashings of the
second working rope between the towers.
Those engaged in this work were Thomas
Carroll aud Patrick Timms.


Their positions were perilous in the ex-
treme, and sensitive persons who are ap-
palled by the antics of "the man on the
liJ ing trapeze" in the circus must have
been terrsr stricken AS they gazed upon
the hardy artisans dangling in mid air.
swaying with every breath of air that
stirred and every movement of the cables.


AS Tor the mechanics themselves, they
did not appear to mind it In the least and
.wayed in their little boatswain's chairs ap-
parently as unconcerned as If they were
seated in the family circle at the fireside.
They started from the towers simultape-
ousIy Carroll. who is heavy man, leav-
ing the New York eminence, and Timms
working out from Brooklyn.


They went easily down the incline form
ed by the DETECTION of the wire ropes.
cutting as they progressed the hempen
lashing that bound the new section of ca
Die To the one already in order. Carroll
experienced some difficulty, owing TO the
Tact that the pully block which held his
chair was two large. After he had cut
the first and second he moved along to the
third. and there his chair stopped.
lie strained at the pulley with all his
strength, but was unable to move it an
inch. His movements attracted the atten-
ton OF the hundreds of spectators, who
from every available point, were anxious


" watching the work along the line
Their gaze was riveted upon him, and
many wondered what would be the con-
sequence if he should be unable to make
his way back TO the tower.


Suddenly man was seen to leave the
top OF the New York tower. 1t was Henry
Supple, who had occupied in cutting
the lashngs between the tower and an
chorage. he was going TO the assistance
OF his mperilled comrade. The brave
fellow went along the swaying cable hand
over hand. very slowly and cautiously at
hrst, but increasing his speed as he swung
clear al the mass of stone and masonry.


There was nothing beneath him to up.
hold him; he had no support. but his own
hrm grasp on the wire above his head. He
dangled about rs though he was only ten
feet above the earth and mattress was
below to break his fall. !; look through
telescope did not discover any express
sion of fear on his face. His countenance
was that Of determined and fearless
man.


lie reached Carroll and assisted him in
cutting the lashing. Then, when the new
section of cable had swung away and fallen
down toward the river he began his Jour
ney back to the tower. He had to strug.
gle desperately to get up the slope to the
top OF the pier, but exertng himself to
the utmost he succeeded amid the cheers
OF his fellow laborers, and expressions of
relieve from the hundreds of people on
the river front and the vessels, who had
watched his movements with breathless
interest. Meanwhile Carroll cut the fourth
lashiDg and moved on to the fifth, where
his pully again became entangled, and he
was obliged TO stop and wait for his part
ner, Timms, who was coming steadily
across from BROOKLYN. severing each OF
the lashings as he journeyed


Two hours after he left this CITY he
reached Carroll, having cut forty five out
OF the fifty hempen fastenings. The two
men sat close together in their little chairs,
and from their signals it was apparent that
they could not get up the sloping rope to
the tower without help.


Supple again came forward, and in the
same way that he had previously done, he
travelled out to them, a distance of 100
feet, with rope about his waist. This
was attached to the other two and the trio
were drawn up to the tower. Shortly af-
terward the traveller" being in good
working order, Timms was pulled overto
Brooklyn again.


The remainder of the day the men were
occupied in getting the new rope in place.
-Bro0kiyh Eagle