CITY VIEWS: Brooklyn Bridge

Roebling began dreaming of spanning the East River between New York and Brooklyn (which were then two separate cities) as early as 1857, when he drew designs for enormous towers that would hold the bridge's cables. At the time Roebling knew the bridge would have to be the largest bridge ever built, nearly twice the length of the famed Menai Suspension Bridge, which had heralded the age of great suspension bridges when it opened in 1826. 

Perhaps the greatest innovation dictated by John Roebling was the use of steel in the construction of the bridge. Earlier suspension bridges had been built of iron, but steel would make the Brooklyn Bridge much stronger. 

By the time it was finished in 1883, the bridge had cost about $15 million, more than twice what John Roebling had originally estimated. And while no official figures were kept on how many men died building the bridge, it has been reasonably estimated that about 20 to 30 men perished in various accidents. 

This image was taken rom Staten Island Ferry, East River.