| Brooklyn Bridge Summary:
The Brooklyn Bridge endures as the most
famous and best-loved bridge in New York
City. Walk across and soak in the
fantastic views of Manhattan -- and take
note of the signs along the way which
provide information about the sites you
are seeing.
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If you had been on the
Brooklyn Bridge at the time of its
completion, you would have had an
unobstructed view of the Hudson River and
New Jersey on the opposite side of
Manhattan.
Even today you may find a
view from the Brooklyn Bridge better than
one from the top of one of New York's
many sky scrapers. Proudly standing over
the East River and connecting the
boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the
bridge provides excellent views of many,
if not most, of the city's
"tall" attractions, including
the nearby skyscrapers at the tip of
Manhattan, as well as the Empire State
Building and
the Chrysler Building,
which are further uptown.
The Bridge's History
When it was completed in May
1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest
suspension bridge in the world. It is
considered one of the greatest
architectural accomplishments of the
nineteenth century, and is, in fact, a
National Historic Civil Engineering
Landmark.
Architect John Roebling, who
proposed that the structure be a
suspension bridge, initially oversaw its
construction. But he died not long after
the work began and his son, Washington,
took over. Unfortunately, Washington came
down with caisson disease, otherwise
known as "the bends," which
disabled him and kept him away from the
bridge. His wife, Emily, helped him
manage the project's completion.
Construction began in 1870
when pneumatic caissons were floated out
into the East River and sunk to the
river's bed. These caissons were hollow
chambers that provided workers with a dry
place to work because continual air
pressure kept the water out. Workers dug
at the floor of the river until they
reached solid ground on which the arches
could be built. Many workers, including
Washington Roebling, got "the
bends" as a result of leaving the
caissons and rising to the river's
surface too quickly.
Next, the two arches built
of New York limestone and Maine granite
were erected, followed by the cables that
hold up the framework of the bridge.
After the wires were strung properly, the
bridge floor, which is 135 feet above the
river to allow boats to pass easily
underneath, was completed. The bridge
opened on May 24, 1883.
Walking or Biking
We prefer walking or biking
across the Brooklyn Bridge rather than
driving. Walkers and bikers use the same
walkway in the center of the bridge
(although it is divided so that bikers
don't run into anybody). The bridge is
usually full of activity, ranging from
Brooklyn Heights yuppies going to or from
work on Wall Street, to runners and
joggers, to out-of-towners coming to the
famous bridge for the view.
At each of the arches, the
walkway widens into a large square plank.
Plaques on the corners of the plank
(which will be on your immediate right
and left as you come from either side of
the bridge) tell the history of the
bridge (outlined above). Note that the
story is the same, no matter which side
you come from.
Plaques on the far corners
of these planks, however, offer an
interesting twist: as you walk toward
Brooklyn (on the plank closer to
Manhattan), you can read a short history
of Brooklyn before you actually enter the
borough. These plaques also point out the
sights in Brooklyn seen from the bridge,
as you would have seen them in 1883 and
as you see them now.
As you go to Manhattan from
Brooklyn, the second set of plaques
contain a brief history of places like
Liberty Island, Ellis Island,
and Governors Island. The plaques also
indicate what buildings you are seeing as
you look at Manhattan.
Scared of Heights?
Although it is the
Big Apple's sky scrapers that are known
for their height, not its bridges, people
who are nervous in high places might want
to avoid a walk across the Brooklyn
Bridge. We say this because of something
we noticed on our walk: while cars and
trucks have a good deal of cement and
steel between them and the river below,
walkers and bikers have only an inch and
a half of wood. In face, you can see the
river water through the thin separations
between the planks or directly over the
hand rails.
Do you really have anything
to fear? No. Nevertheless, we realize
that it might make some people a little
unhappy if they notice halfway through
their trip over the bridge how little
stands between them and the water.
Getting There
To drive on to the Brooklyn
Bridge from Manhattan, follow the signs
on Broadway, Park Row, or Centre Street
as you approach City Hall. You can also
get on to the bridge from the FDR Drive.
Walkers and bikers should
remember that the bridge begins long
before it spans the water. Get on at the
entrance near City Hall if you are in
Manhattan or at the entrance next to the
Federal Court if you are in Brooklyn.
By subway, take either the 6
to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall or the J to
Chambers Street if you are in Manhattan.
In Brooklyn, take the A to the stop at
High Street or at Jay Street.
by Andrew Roche
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