The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 26

10., THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. SATURDAY. DECEMBER 19. 1903.

LEFFERT BUCK, BRIDGE BUILDER, IV. WEAVING THE GIANT CABLES THAT SUPPORT THE CENTRE SPAN. Career of the Man Who Made the Great Structure His War Record. Varied Experience in Constructing Bridges. Wf I'M ll-' 1 iii i i mi AT Vi jsr VT lifi 1 i 1 tfi I LEFFERT L.

BITK. who designed the Williamsburg Bridge, and who had personal charge of its construction almost from start to finish of the work, is a native of St. Lawrence County. He was born in Canton. IftST-.

the eon ot Lemuel and Elizabeth Buck, and went to St. Lawrence University in that' His student career was cut short before its second year naa ended by- the outbreak of the Civil War. JXr. Buck enlisted as a private in August, 1S61. in the famous old Sixtieth New York Volunteers and fought bravely and well.

At the battle of Lookout Mountain the color sergeant of his reglmcnt 'was wounded and Sergeant Buck grasped the colors and carried them to the end of the day. He had seen bard fighting earlier in the war, for at An-tietam he was shot through both legs. Fighting blood flowed naturally in his veins, for his great grandfather, iBaac Buck, served under General Wolfe at Quebec in 17511, and died under the gray walls of that citadel while fighting the desperate battles of the American troops there in 1776. His grandfather was a drummer boy of the Revolution and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812. So the fights at Antietam, Lookout Mountain, Missionary fridge, Resaca (where he was again wounded), Kenesaw Mounhtin, Peach Tree Creek and along the line of Sherman's march were all opportunities for him to show his valor and to cam, as earn he did, his captaincy in the Union Array.

He immediately resumed his studies and entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, where he "graduated with honor in the clasa of '68. His active engineering career followed close upon the heels of his graduation. He became prominently Identified with the engineering staff which built the Croton aqueduct. Thereafter he spent several years railroad and bridge building in Peru and the fact that the Lima and Oroya Railroad was ever able to pierce its wonderful way through the Andes la chiefly due to Mr. Buck's ability.

He erected the Verrugas viaduct on this line, then the highest bridge in the world, under peculiarly difficult conditions. Finding the erection plant totally unsulted to the locality he improvised an Ingenious method of placing the 'materials arrose the raviue by the use of wire ropes made for the standing rigging of ships, which he had managed to obtain at Callao, and successfully completed the work In two and a half months. Between 1873 and 1S75 he was engaged in the bridge building department of the Wabash Railroad, thin the most wonderful school for practical railroading known. He returned after that to Peru and built several more Ingenious structures among the mountains of that country. Upon his return In 1S77 he began his successful career as an American bridge builder.

Ho supervised the several re-constructions of the original railroad and highway suspension bridge at Niagara Falls and finally built the new structure that replaced the old one there In 18. lie designed bridges across the White and Yakima rivers in Washington, on the Cascade division of the Northern Pacific Railroad and across the Columbia River at Pasco, in the same state. Then, coming East, he built two great bridges across the gorge of the Genesee River in the heart of the City of Rochester in 18S9-i0. He returned to Peru and replaced the Verrugas viaduct with a stronger and more modern structure. He built another great bridge in the Northwest and a great steel arch Just below the Falls ot Niagara.

He also acted as consulting engineer In the construction of the suspension bridge at Lewiston. As elsewhere related he was called to the handling of the Wiliamsburg Bridge problem in 18113. His chief attention since that time has been devoted to that work and the new bridge, as it stands completed to-day, is largely a monument to his brains and his ability. CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE. Comparison of Structural Statistics of Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridges.

Leffert L. Buck's Treatment of the Great Problem. THt TRAVELER TKA.T STRINGS The stiffening trusses of the new bridge are much stronger and larger thai those of Hie old. The Brooklyn Bridge was designed to carry two roadways, two railroad tracks and a footpath. The Williamsbiirir Bridge CABLES is designed to carry two roadways, six railroad tracks, a broad bicycle path and a footpath.

All of these several thoroughfares of traffic on the new structure are assembled within the truss, except the roadways, which are bracketed upon the protecting ends of the floor girders of the stiffening truss. The suspenders from the two cables on either side of the bridge are brought together and support those floor girders from a common point. As a result these girders even diffuse their strain upon two contact points, instead of an uneven diffusion upon four contact points, as in the old bridge. This difference is perhaps best illustrated to the lay mind by the fact that in the Binoklyn Bridge the THE New York and Brooklyn Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge represented types ot architecture that were as widely apart as the twenty years that intervened between the completion of both. The New York and Brooklyn Bridge represented the best engineering thought and practice of from twenty to thirty years ago, the Williamsburg Bridge is a frank embodiment of the best thought and practice in mechanical engineering for the past tea years, engineer, Leffert L.

Buck, has had vast experience in I ho building of great bridges; When the project was first broached in the early nineties the entire country was scoured for a competent man and Buck with his efficient design was the result of the sweeping search. He had a real and important advantage in the fact that, he had the old Brooklyn Bridge and its workings for observations. He had full opportunity to observe Its shortcomings and noticing wherein It -failed, so as to avoid similar mistakes in the second grcnt tie that was to bind Ldng Island to Manhattan Island and by poratlons and In connection with their pres- ent systems. That precluded the necessity ot erecting railway stations at the terminals such as utterly hide to the chance observer the real purposes of the Brooklyn. Bridge, and also have Bavcd Mr.

Buck and his assistants the necessity ot providing railway yards for any sort of a bridge railway. Aside from the ungainly elevated structure at each end the approaches of the Williamsburg Bridge present a harmonious and dignified appearance and are in keeping with its position and importance. These elevated railways upon the approaches are as necessary as they are dlstiguring. By starting upon the land high in the air nnd gradually dropping through the trusses that are well shown in the cross sections of the bridge until they are at tho level of the deck girders and easy gradient is resultant upon which- slightly elevated and are enntnined within 'Sv 1 I II the body of the stiffening truss. It is a com- V-5'' Xl-I IFv fj fi II mentary upon the changing nature of a fickle I -iSC: tVjiiS 3 WM 1 S.

-11 '1 American public when one realizes that it iSlfeSi 'i -4 I is quite, probable that the bicycle path TiSB I i il I "I will never bo prepared for use and that its isj. igPSS IfSM fe'PWJjl course may be given over a second foot "jmtpii V. promenade. The interest In bicycling has i3 jf 1 declined so considerably in the eight years I i ife I I that the bridge has been building that the 1K5V 101 1 'T Bridge Department to-day seriously doubts I if '12' Tt tT 3 if there are enough riders left to render Ci -n' mmmmm a the finishing ot the path a necessity, or even TZ fL tr, -s, The bridge, as Is well known, extends from i Jl Clinton and Delancey streets, Manhattan, to Kf jfV the new plaza at Roebling street and Broad- Vs- WW fi 11? 1 1 way, Brooklyn. Its railroad transportation Jtssfe 7 rrWgS 1 ISTM facilities have not as yet been definitely ar- X.

ranged and various schemes to provide It 'sWrraSf''rH RROOK I VM iwunDirt 23 with great avenues of approach, both in Man- (K" lSfeirVVH 1 KLYN ANCHOR AOt. 4j ij hattan and in Brooklyn, aro under advise- fS? AND CABLE fJJlJSff TJ nient. Some ot these have received full at- 1" 'ji rv CD Baiainir limtftvtsm i anw tour cames continue pan llel for their entire distance, while on the Williamsburg Bridge the four cables continue parallel only in disuse from anchorage to towers. On the center span, where they are carrying weight, the two north cables are brought, together In the center of the bridge and a like assembling is made of the two south cables. The Idea that, has been in the minds of the builders of this bridge from start to finish has been that Its transit facilities would be entirely supplied by existing railway cor- trains or six, seven and eight cars may be operated with ease.

The four surface car tracks follow the grade of the roadways. The bicycle path and foot path are I tention elsewhere In this issue. I if 1 i uotou Know SM I iTOEBiGl 3SEf flPl BRQADVIflBr. I HATWITH ADVANCED STORE ON I SMfffel 1 1 ROdttWAYJM I ofS 'h. Don't Throw All Gars "oiSr I BMtm km It.

to the rest of the busy land. 4Ir, 'Buck's design shows the effect of the Brooklyn Bridge upon all mechanical engineers. Paradoxically, the Williamsburg Is like its noted elder brother, and again Is radically different. Both structures are suspension bridges. The men to whom were early.

Intrusted the difficult work of erecting the Williamsburg structure dismissed ail thoughts of cantilever or truss structures from their minds. A suspension bridge ttr.thcm alone fulfilled the requirements of practicability and beauty of swinging at a height above the mean high water ot the East Itiver great enough so as to In no possible way interfere with the traffic ot that busy 'stream and small enough so as to afford easy gradients to foot and vehicular traffic alike, as well as an easy climb for surface and elevated railway cars. The following comparative statement of the dimensions of the two bridges may prove of interest and may be of value aa a matter of reference: Brooklyn. Wilt'cKs ar vo 9i e-'t-z rxru i.n tori nnrtA I Go Direct or WITHOUT WM I UU PIMHW I CONSULTING In order that every woman Old Long Island eWmMOTm Each a I I may know POSITIVELY AND PERSONALLY that Dr. Charles Flesh Food will de Steam Dyeing and Scouring 8 biiMi 81 velop the bust and remove wrinkles, we will Transfer llrldpo Uri.lKo.

fl. ft. in. send a sample box ABSOLUTELY FREE to of main renter any address on receipt of Ten Cents to cover cost of mailing. We could not afford to make to Baker's.

to nUT of tower. l.yj't Length of niuns, toner to anrliorno-. of Rpro.uh 1(71 1 Until of Mhlll. Ul'pl oai-h. Total lnict1! of earnaiii' way establishment, 786 Broadway.

IIHAVrilES AT 171 Reid Av. 1639 BroaidwaLV. USTAnLISIIKD 1870. Schafner Bros. TELEPHOXE 2I I7P WM'B'Q.

is: Clear height of iii.r JMinii above At. II. KiiRlit al.ve M. 11. YV.

tu this offer unless we were as sure of the benefits given by Dr. Charles Flesh Food as we are that the sun will rise to-morrow. We rest our case upon the evidence of your own senses. There is Flesh Food enoueh in the 332 i ir, 210 111 It "it rf- 1 HAVE YOU BEEN TO BAKER'S STORE? IT'S THE COMING STORE OF BROADWAY "THE HUa OF A NEW BUalNiSS CENTER." Less than four years aito there opened a modest little store on Upper Broadway. It was not so different from other stores then, execept In one unusual Idea toiive the.

prcnti xt uumlilf- value rather than to not the highest possible price. rhi' titan: it re its Jlrnmliriifi ijitii', miiniUmsh. To-day It Is the greatest tor, on wht will soon be tho greatest mercantile center In Brooklyn Borough Muf ix. Upper Jlrimtlirnti. More than half of the present population of Brooklyn can reach the store, either direct or by transfer, for a single fare, in less than fifteen minutes time.

BAKER'S STORE an Object Lesson of Broadway's Rapid Growth. In lflOO a modest little one story store, with a selling force of five salespeople. To-day a modem department store, occupying a large three story building, covering seven city lots; stocked from basement to roof with all kinds of merchandise, and giving employment to mora than 200 people. rt'li In Store I Located nt 3 i'i IS T.Sl'ti 1870. 1903.

3 renter of rahle al lielKllt al.v M. H. V. to roadway at outer of tower H'tKlit of tower above roadway Width of over nil OrmOr of roiotiviiy on oh-h fort Vaxinoim itra'le of road-nay in loo foot IManiel, of OHlikH olltsote of Numb' of wire, in ea. ral'lo.

Uer.Rth of unt-Mi- wlrt. wi lllK OnO J.OIMl'l WelKllt of olio entile p.T lineal foot Total mil' of win- In four rattle. Ban in rntl venom, I moan temp tTltlnmte of rnhf In Permanent noleM Hii" reO 1 from main H'n oal ln In Ptrmato-m "ovhi -1 from eti'l In i i Full of on- oaolo on an hornet in loin 1" sample for a perfectly convincing test. ONE TRIAL IS WORTH A COLUMN OF TALK. We send with the sample our book, "Art of Massage," which describes with half tone illustrations from life all the proper movements for messaging the face, neck and arms and full directions for developing the bust.

Our Special Christmas Offers. FOR 1 we will send you by mail, in plain wrapper, TWO BOXES of Tn lbs. 1T.4M ti.r.m 13.7(0 Broadway' and Rockaway Avenue. Ill, PI KG 'I II 1 I Nil IT, i dwrftinan Dr. Charles lesh Food.

The regular price is one dollar a box. we will make a combination of our other toilet preparations. James Howe. Dry Goods, Fancy Goods and Notions 287, 289, 291 Eroadway, BROOKLYN. if 1 Box Dr.

Charles Flesh Food, 1 Face Powder (Mesh color or white), value. 1 Healing Soap (3 cakes), value Total TULTZ BAUER, Mr. Buck's treatment of his problem lias been masterly. Ho has evolved a bridge of practically the Hume span as the old bridge but with double the rapacity an only slightly wldew.l run way. The stone towera that form the most plrtiirevque feature ot tho old bridge are mishcd In the now structure.

The steel Kirm-nire that serve a toners In the Williamsburg Bridge have not one lota of the beaiiiy of iho ItruoklMt 1 mmm $2.25 iff Ui-wo', High Grade Pianos. ALL FOR ONI; DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS. The above offers will be sent by mail, postage prepaid. They have been in the mar- ket more than twenty-three All orders are sent out same day received. Dr.

Charles Company, Sgggaex'jmaam years, during which time more 19 Park Pacc, New York. bridg towera, crude and Inartistic as tho el masonry structure wore voted many ji.trsl go. Yet it Is possible that iho great linos of these will have to serve the i devotee ot th esthetic for all tiTn. It Is 1 hardly probable that in a city where tnno! Is so vnluaolo a commodity as it la hero In New York that any engineer will have the hardihood tu delay the completion of a much needed bridge for from four to aix years sluit ly to trr.it I fy a setihe of tho beau- tltul and the esthetic. Then, too, the Hied towers of the Will- lamfburg Bridge are not without a beamy of their own.

The liner of a stiapoimiou bridge are bn'ind to lie sweeping and grace- I ful an4 the long curve of the rablna doot J.B.ANDREWS, Son of E. Andrews. Domestic Bakery, 301 Broadway, Now Mnrrjr IIHIKIKLYV. E. Ik.

Bread, Cak9 and Pies of All Kinds, than 24,500 have been manu- factured and sold. We also carry a full line of UPRIGHT PIANOS, various makes, from $150 up. Second hand Uprights as low as $50. 738 Broadway, 755 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, Oppnite H. Batterman.

FACTORY, Hnst 31st New York. F.J.LANG&SON, I S. Simpson Kory, Sanuei Qppenheim. I 1. LICENSED PAWN BROKE i.

eJ.W 8 Loaned on All Personal hpj.ty.. 1- 646 Broadway, Brooklyn. (-1 8 575 )- l. L.I. t.J AM Art ic-h'n nf iu-nt gunllty nt rvftoniibl prlc i1 tt vi-i at tnsldt riiT.

Miiiiiifiu'liirrr of truss springs, liiniriiiiioiitn for ll lieroriiilfli. Kl M.i' i flu kill, WtikOUnVAY. Hrnoklyn. l. D.

In llntl rrnitiftflv ttmlil In, mueb to hide any iiinorom ugllnosg of the tall gaunt tower. Next to the towers the new bridge pro. "nta a radical difference from the old In the construction of Its end spans; from the tow-era bak on each shore to the masonry cable anchorage. In the Brooklyn bridge these fnd spiitiH are supported from the rabies by suspender rods In a similar fashion to the center or river pnn. Jn the Williamsburg Jirldgo the rubles from lowers to anchorage bear no weight.

In fact arn nothing els than four glani guy ropca stretched taut and bearing nothing but the weight of Die center span. The end spans ar tmnflcd and anpforted at the towers and anchorage Additional support Is given them by an Intenneiltt tower placed half botweeo tho mam tower and anchorage. AID3 TO MEMORY. "When 1 ns out Wont o- see tin nxn rnn nenms roupli1 of fellows tlint used II vn hir. Do you nn mlier llllluver.

win hud a lumh rotintor around the corner here somn tltno In '7V" 1894. 1903 H. W. von Spreckelsea FINE CONFECTIONERY, 307 BROADWAY. Iti-iui'i'ii Miircy A ml Itixlucy Ht IIKOOKLl epKtal ItttM to Sunday btbouU and Onnrfwy "Thnfs thi same man.

Hp nrvor paid nybody. Well, he's In partnership now with ItnhrldKP, who used to keep a hardnnre ore In the next bloi k. Kemember. Kklin- irldai'V" "No. I've forgotten hltn.

I he never borrowed any money of nit." Chicago Tribune, on the Ktdiiiid Hint II would expose (he 'ulrls to serioui ditimoM, but Mr. Htoad has llllllleiitinl iiiioi hi the rolltrovi'iav, ullii piiotl-pooh llieno fi lies. Till' Pal" will mi In nl 1 A i.n,l OIRI.S IN -NEWSIES." The puMleiiMon of Willi, in T. Stead's new Jounal, the liolly r.ip-r, In lmdon, was heralded by a lo.ii.. i out ovorxy ovor his proposition to lime It distributed by kIHk.

lie sent around bund bilU to iho girls bo.ird- line HehooU olTerliiK employment to hrlKiil, aetlvo. iiMit't'lnu KlrlM of 1 4. In delivering hlH ih.llv ln-i 11 a. M. and I I'.

makiiiK It it londltlon that tlioy nitond eu'ii- Inn Bid to eouiplotii tli. ciluiHilon In luai ili al Hiil.Ji'i ts. The hool board reiiiMoU lo c.uunu'iiaiu'0 tho proposition, Ves, I ri'inemhfr lllllovor, I lent blm bo will quoto luritely frotn tho otlier morning I nunaiH aiielnliu I 1 once, and lie never paid It," iniiuiir( uazuuo..