The Brooklyn Bridge in New York cost about twenty-seven lives to build. The first man to die was the designer of the bridge John Roebling, an immigrant engineer from Prussia.
However, the bridge is an awe inspiring monument to the courage, skill, determination and perseverance of the Roebling family and the workers who risked illness and death in its construction
In 1869, John Roebling planned what would be the largest suspension bridge in the world. It would span the East River in New York to join the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It would be over a mile long.
It took thirteen tough years to complete the bridge. Tragically, John Roebling missed those thirteen years. He injured his foot when it was crushed between a pylon and a ferry as he surveyed the area.
He refused anaesthetic as his crushed toes were amputated and then tried to cure his foot by dripping water on it night and day. The water may well have infected his toes. He eventually developed lock jaw and died in agony of tetanus.
Even while he was in hospital he demanded regular updates on the progress of the bridge. His condition deteriorated but he still helped solve onsite problems. His huge determination and incredible focus on the job in hand was passed on to his son and his daughter-in-law.
Washington had seen death and agony on the battlefields of the Civil War but his father's painful death still affected him hugely. He partly blamed himself:
"I feel that I perhaps made a mistake in not taking my father to a hospital at once. But my father had very decided beliefs, and looked upon hospitals as the abode of the devil - and upon doctors as criminals."
Washington Roebling took over his father's role as chief engineer on the project. He worked with the same energy and drive that had raised him to the rank of Colonel in the Union army during the civil war. Like his dad, he unwisely put work before health but one can only admire his dedication.
Washington directly supervised construction of the underwater caissons upon which the bridge's massive towers would be built. Because of this underwater work, he suffered several times with decompression sickness, or the bends, as early as 1872.
However, thanks to the intelligence, skills and close support of his wife, Emily, Washington continued to control the project. He sent messages through Emily to his chosen engineers who appreciated the understanding Emily had developed of how to carry out this hugely challenging engineering project.
At times, Washington used a telescope from his house on Brooklyn Heights to keep in touch with events on the banks of the East River but his main support and means of communication was his wife.
Emily had read and filed every scrap of news about the bridge since the beginning and had worked at her husband's side during the entire construction effort.
With Emily, Washington discussed the detailed blueprints, and with her he shared all of his own and his father's bridge building plans and dreams. Emily began to study many topics related to civil engineering so that she could support her husband. These topics included maths, the strength of materials and cable construction.
She possessed the winning combination of being able to work hard, communicate effectively and being able to learn the engineering skills necessary to achieve her husband's goals.
When a board of inquiry was convened by the American Society of Civil engineers to determine if Washington Roebling should be removed as Chief Engineer, Emily's effectiveness in managing the work to that date convinced them that the Roeblings should remain in charge.
The bridge was eventually opened in 1883. The first person to walk across was Emily Roebling. Plaques honoring Emily's accomplishments are installed on both the Brooklyn and New York towers of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The bridge itself is a monument to the work of both John and Washington Roebling.
The story of the bridge is full of inspiring lessons about success. John Roebling took a risk by leaving Germany for the USA. The risk paid off. At the time Germany lacked the money and the will for big, new engineering works.
The US government, on the other hand, had put money aside to encourage building projects. Success often involves the risk of moving from a dead end to somewhere with more potential.
My own father was a civil engineer who moved from England to China where I was born at the start of World War II. The risk he took did not pay off as we ended up in a concentration camp but it certainly led to a character building experience for the whole family!
We were eventually rescued by American GI's. One of my most treasured possessions is a plane made of bullets given me by one of them. My father soon moved us on to Iran to work on the waterworks in Tehran. This move was more successful.
John Roebling built several remarkable bridges around the USA before he built up the knowledge and skill to successfully plan the hugely ambitious Brooklyn Bridge. People usually build confidence through starting small and ending big.
He showed lazer focus on the project even when he was dying. He made the wrong choice with hydrotherapy but he made the right choices for the bridge. Probably no other engineer in the United States could have planned this bridge. Mastering skills makes the master, or mistress in Emily's case, invaluable.
Washington showed the same focus and skill as his dad. He shared the dangers of his men in working in the caissons. This is the mark of great leaders like Alexander the Great and Nelson who both suffered injuries along with their men.
His determination and leadership led to the completion of one of the great bridges of the world. He overcame one obstacle after another to do this. This including dealing with the shoddy wire he was supplied with by an unscrupulous merchant. Successful people do not give up in the face of crippling problems.
Emily showed what one determined and intelligent woman can achieve. She did what most people would think was impossible. When she did not know what to do, she did not give up. She simply learned the skills necessary to carry on. She had enough confidence to learn on the job.
Her courage, confidence and intelligence were exceptional in a century when middle class and upper class women were looked on as mere ornaments. She clearly did not accept this view.
In recent times on the internet, Sharlene Raven took over the internet business of her husband Scott when he was struck down with illness. Both Ravens produce great products which I know I can trust.
Most successful people learn to rely on the help of others for their success. They also ignore the limits placed upon their abilities and achievements by the views of others.
To succeed we need to learn the skills and knowledge which are relevant to the goals we are pursuing even if we learn on the job. In fact, it is quite often more easy to learn on the job than in an ivory tower away from the dust and dirt of reality.
We need to believe that we are the people who can carry the job through. We need to work, like John and Washington, with focus and energy whether we feel like it or not.
Both the Brooklyn bridge, its builders and the Roeblings are an inspiration to the world.
