This structure, although opened to the public in 1869, is still called
the _new_ bridge, to distinguish it from its elder brother, two miles
below. Previous to the construction of the New York and Brooklyn bridge,
it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, its roadway being
1,300 feet in length, and its cables 1,800 feet long. It is 190 feet
above the river, being suspended from two towers, each 100 feet in
height. Access may be had to the interior of the towers, and very fine
views are obtained from their summits.
From the bridge itself a magnificent view of the Falls may be had, the
finest, in fact, to be secured from any one point, the entire line of
the cataract being embraced in a single glance, and in closer proximity
than is possible elsewhere, except from below. The view down the river
is also a fine one, comprising the deep gorge through which the stream
flows, with its precipitous banks on either hand, and the Railroad
Suspension Bridge in the distance.
The strength of the new bridge is estimated by the engineers as
thirteen times greater than sufficient to bear any weight that can
possibly be placed upon it. The year of its completion it was subjected
to the severest gale it has ever had to withstand, and safely and
successfully “weathered the blast.” All fears, therefore, as to its
security in ordinary weather, are entirely groundless.
[Illustration: VIEW OF THE FALLS FROM THE FERRY.]
Reaching the American shore by this method of crossing, the first point
of interest is