This enormous structure, the foundations of which were laid in 1870, connects the cities of New York and Brooklyn. It far surpasses in all the elements of greatness any similar erection. The central span is the widest in the world, and its height is so great that the largest ship afloat can pass under without striking her standing spars. The piers on the banks of either shore are truly colossal. The approaches on each side are vast viaducts of brick and granite. We give the principal dimensions of the different portions of the bridge: Single span across the waterway, 1,595 feet; four cables for sustaining the road, each cable consists of 5,434 steel wires; strength of each cable, 11,200 tons. Approach on New York side, 2,492 1/2 feet; ap proach on Brooklyn side, 1,901 feet. Total length, 5,989 feet. Size of towers, at high-water line, 140x59 feet. Total height of towers, 277 feet; from high-water to roadway, 120 feet; high-water to centre of span, 135 feet; from roadway to top, 158 feet; width of bridge, 85 feet. There are tracks for steam cars, roadways for carriages, and walks for foot-passengers, and an elevated promenade commanding a view of extraordinary beauty and extent. The total cost of construction will be very little short of $13,000,000, including money paid for land, houses demolished, etc. It has taken ten years to build it, from 1870 to 1881. The designer was J. R. Roebling.

Great Suspension Bridge Connecting New York City And Brooklyn.