![]() ![]() Each foundation has a weight of 44 thousand tons. It is constructed of four cables, each anchored to plates of many tons, embedded in masonry foundations. With the long main span, and two shorter spans, the bridge is 1 mile long. Tons of steel wire had to be used to hold up the incredibly heavy bridge deck. They had to be lofty to carry the cables which in themselves-wire by wire-measured 16 inches in diameter. Just to observe the massive stone towers one is in awe of their height. This great bridge handles two elevated railroad tracks, two streetcar (trolley) tracks, road lanes for vehicles, and even a foot walk for pedestrians. Fortunately his son, Colonel Washington Augustus Roebling, took over direction of the work involved from then on until completion. Blood poisoning resulted in his untimely death. John Augustus Roebling, original architect of the project, was injured in an accident. In l869, actual construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, over the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan, started. In his autobiography, completed shortly before his death, Carnegie credited his connection with Eads Bridge as starting him on his career. ![]() The Vice President was a young man of 35 years by the name of Andrew Carnegie. A report, published by Captain Eads in 1868, was a convincing presentation in non-technical language, on the "action of trusses and arches, also the logic of the foundation design." Progress, along with precautionary measures, were recorded in notebooks that filled seven volumes.įunding for the Bridge building came from contracts with the Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A franchise was obtained from Congress specifying that a clear span of 500 feet must be provided. This marks the first time steel is used in truss-bridge construction. On the lower deck, two lines of railroad tracks fill the space. The span is double deck, with the upper level carrying a highway with sidewalks. Postal Service preferred to attach the sobriquet "Mississippi River Bridge" rather than employ the proper, personal, private name "Eads." The structure was built by Captain James Buchanan Eads, and is considered the first bridge made of steel. Louis was constructed from 1867 to its opening in 1874. The Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River at St. The Mississippi River Bridge AKA The Eads Bridge Then came the railroad in 1869, and since then the Oregon Trail became United States Route 30. Riders galloped along around the year 1860. The majority of travel consisted of overland stage coaches and the Pony Express. One of the important events was the Statehood of Oregon, in 1856. Those seeking California gold crowded the stream of travel near the Great Salt Lake. Fur traders, missionaries, and farmers drove wagons over a well-beaten trail. Many felt it was the best route to the coast. The push westward was made by the French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, and Americans. In 1843, the Oregon Trail was one of the early routes of travel for pioneer settlers heading west, which began at Independence, Missouri. Such a marking is needed expressly when driving at night. ![]() This mint stamp clearly shows a highway with the double yellow line dividing opposite lanes of travel-a safety device familiar to every motorist nationwide. That stamp not only is used in moving the mail, but evokes a part of our unusual past. In a postage stamp there is a particular kind of art-a small-size design that portrays a large side of national history. Narrowing the subject to highways and bridges points up a pictorial view of history. Stamps required for this activity have pictured every conceivable topic imaginable-overing the unique heritage of America. ![]() The transporting of letters and postcards by mail has been going on for years. Postage Stamps A Philatelic Transportation Venture ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |