Yesterday was an aw-inspiring day! I’m sorry I did not write yesterday but I was so consumed by the events at the Brooklyn Bridge. Not to mention the fact that people look at me rather strangely when I pull my lap top out of my bag. But, let me tell you about yesterday.
I made my way to where to the newspaper said. It was a beautiful day, we couldn’t have asked for better weather there was not a cloud in the sky (4). I could see many people arriving by boat along the shore line. Harpers weekly called it, “A festival so unique New York has seldom seen….” There were huge red, white, and blue flags were everywhere; on balconies, from roof tops, and from windows. (3) People were buzzing, waiting for President Chester Alan Arthur to finally arrive. The fence across the Chatham Street entrance to the bridge had been torn down by workmen and replaced by a solid line of police (1). I was amongst thousands of people waiting for the same moment I was. There were vendors selling Bananas, flags, gumdrops and buttons with the Roeblings faces on them were roaming the streets. (1)
At 11:15 A.M. the ceremonies began and the regiment sounded the escorted President of the United States, the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City into the commencement area. After them marched the soldiers wearing their summer uniforms. (4) I have never seen a more spectacular scene and the band played “Hail to the Chief 4 times. (1) The speakers called this a “Wonder of Science” and an “Astounding exhibition of the power of man to change the face of nature”. It was a “Monument to enterprise, skill, faith, endurance.” It was also a monument to “public spirit”, “the moral qualities of the human soul”. (1). At about 9:30 P.M. I could hear music playing. It sounded like a party so I went to look, surprisingly admission was free. (5) I decided not to dance because I knew my modern dancing style would give away my cover.
Like most people I waited around until sunset to see the gas lamps light up and the excitement continued into the night. The Times estimated that at least 150,000 people came out the East River to watch bridges first day in use. Suddenly a solitary rocket shot into the sky over the Mayors house and burst into blue stars. (1) People in the streets let out shrieks of surprise and happiness. It was announced that the bridge would open at the stroke of mid-night so people gathered on both ends and waited for their turn to walk across. However, it actually opened at 11:22PM. It cost one cent for me to walk across and I paid it and went on my way. (4)
After the long day I dragged myself back to my boarding house. I went upstairs and opened the door and fell to my bed from exhaustion! I have never walked so much in my life!
I made my way to where to the newspaper said. It was a beautiful day, we couldn’t have asked for better weather there was not a cloud in the sky (4). I could see many people arriving by boat along the shore line. Harpers weekly called it, “A festival so unique New York has seldom seen….” There were huge red, white, and blue flags were everywhere; on balconies, from roof tops, and from windows. (3) People were buzzing, waiting for President Chester Alan Arthur to finally arrive. The fence across the Chatham Street entrance to the bridge had been torn down by workmen and replaced by a solid line of police (1). I was amongst thousands of people waiting for the same moment I was. There were vendors selling Bananas, flags, gumdrops and buttons with the Roeblings faces on them were roaming the streets. (1)
At 11:15 A.M. the ceremonies began and the regiment sounded the escorted President of the United States, the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City into the commencement area. After them marched the soldiers wearing their summer uniforms. (4) I have never seen a more spectacular scene and the band played “Hail to the Chief 4 times. (1) The speakers called this a “Wonder of Science” and an “Astounding exhibition of the power of man to change the face of nature”. It was a “Monument to enterprise, skill, faith, endurance.” It was also a monument to “public spirit”, “the moral qualities of the human soul”. (1). At about 9:30 P.M. I could hear music playing. It sounded like a party so I went to look, surprisingly admission was free. (5) I decided not to dance because I knew my modern dancing style would give away my cover.
Like most people I waited around until sunset to see the gas lamps light up and the excitement continued into the night. The Times estimated that at least 150,000 people came out the East River to watch bridges first day in use. Suddenly a solitary rocket shot into the sky over the Mayors house and burst into blue stars. (1) People in the streets let out shrieks of surprise and happiness. It was announced that the bridge would open at the stroke of mid-night so people gathered on both ends and waited for their turn to walk across. However, it actually opened at 11:22PM. It cost one cent for me to walk across and I paid it and went on my way. (4)
After the long day I dragged myself back to my boarding house. I went upstairs and opened the door and fell to my bed from exhaustion! I have never walked so much in my life!
(1) McCullough, David. The Great Bridge. New York, New York (1972)
(2) Haw, Richard. Art of The Brooklyn Bridge. New York, New York (2008)
(3) Wiedman, H. John. “Why we need our Brooklyn Bridges”. American Society of Civil Engineers. Library of Congress (1983)
(4) "BRIDGE TOLLS ARRANGED :ONE CENT TO BE CHARGED FOR FOOT PASSENGERS.." New York Times (1857-Current file), May 15, 1883, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed February 24, 2009)
(5) "THE BRIDGE OPENING :MAYOR LOW'S PROCLAMATION AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RECEPTION.." New York Times (1857-Current file), May 18, 1883, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed February 24, 2009
(6) "MRS. ROEBLING'S SKILL :HOW THE WIFE OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE ENGINEER HAS ASSISTED HER HUSBAND.." New York Times (1857-Current file), May 23, 1883, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed February 24, 2009).
(7) "TWO GREAT CITIES UNITED :THE BRIDGE FORMALLY OPENED. IMMENSE CROWDS ATTRACTED BY THE CEREMONIES.." New York Times (1857-Current file), May 25, 1883, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed February 25, 2009).
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