On January 2nd, 1870, the historic bridge connecting the boroughs of Manhattan to the bustling suburbs of Brooklyn had finally begun construction. Designed by famous German-American civil engineer, John A. Roebling, The Brooklyn Bridge would be a marvel of its time. Although having extensive experience in the designing of various bridges, this was by far the most important project he had ever taken on. With this grand project for the time, there came much pressure and tension surrounding the bridge. Although meticulously planned and constructed for 14 years with over 600 workers and more than 6000 tons of material, many still had doubts about the design. Additionally, Suspension bridges were not widely used at the time for their steep cost and were seen as a novelty.
On May 24th, 1883, Roebling and his workers finally finished constructing the bridge. It was a sight to see for many as nothing of its magnitude had been built in the past. However, most still did not trust the design despite the whopping 15.1 million dollars spent on it, or about 3.5 billion today, adjusting for inflation of course! To tame the public's apprehension, Roebling decided to do something that would stun them. He planned to have a circus parade go over the bridge with 21 elephants. One of which being Jumbo, The Greatest Elephant in the World! Although initially denied, Roeblings decided to execute his plans regardless to alleviate the public's worries. It was a success, much to the joy of Roebling as well as the public. Sadly, this accomplishment was short-lived.
It turns out, that the true danger of this bridge did not fall on the design of it or the length, but on the people using it. Although the bridge was strong, the public's faith in it did not.
On May 30th, 1883, only one week after the bridge finished construction, a disaster occurred. It was a busy day for the Brooklyn Bridge. There were hundreds of cars and pedestrians commuting into the city. It was packed. The New York Times wrote that the catastrophe started with one woman who accidentally tripped on a stair near the end of the bridge and let out a shriek. This prompted another to scream, ensuing panic throughout the bridge. By the end of it, 12 were killed, 7 injured, and 28 more severely wounded.
Following this calamity, measures were taken to improve safety and crowd control on the bridge. Despite this tragic event, the Brooklyn Bridge went on to become a beloved landmark and a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of those who built it. It stands today not only as a critical piece of infrastructure but also as a symbol of overcoming adversity and the enduring spirit of New York City. The true peril of the Brooklyn Bridge lay not in its structure but in the people who traversed it; a sobering reminder that faith in its strength was as vital as its steel cables.
If you would like to see the article, dated May 31st, 1883, describing this event, here it is!
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