The+Brooklyn+Bridge

=The Brooklyn Bridge= By Weatherly S.



The Brooklyn Bridge was was started in the late 1860's and was finished being built in May 1883. The bridge was the longest suspension bridge of it's time spanning over 5,989 feet. The Brooklyn Bridge connected two cities that were separated by the East River, New York and Brooklyn, which were among the fastest growing cities at the time in the Northeast. The Brooklyn Bridge was named "The Eighth Wonder of the World".

===John A. Roebling- John A. Roebling emigrated to the united states from germany in 1831. In 1841 he created wire cable (rope made by spinning wire together instead of hemp) which was far stronger than any other material that could be used. Steel wire was less likely to wear out under pressure, and was much safer for industrial uses. Roebling was one of the best in his field after becoming a bridge engineer in 1845. In 1886 the New York Legislature passed a bill authorizing the construction of a bridge between New York and Brooklyn. The New York Bridge Company was chartered in 1867 and Roebling was appointed chief engineer. He soon began creating an elaborate plan for the new bridge that would allow its cables to support a longer span of roadway than had ever been built. He included two immense towers, multiple lanes, rail cars, and a promenade. After designing the layouts for the bridge and getting started on the bridge, John Roebling died in the summer of 1869 of tetanus. Washington Roebling (his son) took his place as chief engineer. === **Washington Roebling- In 1872 Washington Roebling fell ill of caisson's disease and spent the last decade of the construction of the bridge watching and observing from his apartment and directing the work through his wife, Emily Warren Roebling. Emily took on the job of being the link between her husband and the engineers on-site. **

The Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge-
I n 1883 the bridge was completed and the opening ceremony was held on May 24th. Emily Warren Roebling was the first to ride across the bridge carrying a rooster as a sign of victory. On the opening day, 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people crossed. The bride toll was, 1 cent per pedestrian, 2 cents for sheep, and 10 cents for horse and carriage.

Its two towers rise 275 feet above the East River, making them substantially taller than any building in New York's skyline when they were built. The bridge's cable supported 6,620 tons, and the whole structure weighed more than twice that. 

Causes- As the cities around the East River grew, there began to be a bigger demand for fast transportation. Ferry's took a long time and with ice in the river could be dangerous and take even more time.

===Effects- Once the Brooklyn Bridge was finished, the two fast growing cities of Brooklyn and New York were connected. This made it much easier for people to commute back and forth. Businesses soon started thriving due to the speed up of travel from city to city and this boosted the economy. Once the two cities were connected, businesses and culture were soon being combined. ===

