The Troubled Story of a New York Monument
Review by Ryan McGee
Were Thomas Winpenny to write a sequel to his book, Manhattan Bridge, The
Troubled Story of a New York Monument, the title would no doubt be, Manhattan
Bridge has Fallen Down. The bridge built over the East River and completed in
1909 is, according to statistics, the bridge with the highest number structural
dangers. Dr. Winpenny explores the history behind the Manhattan Bridge, its
company, The Phoenix Bridge Company, and the bridge's upkeep and use since its
opening to public use.
The first half of the book explores the
circumstances behind building the bridge. Dr. Winpenny is quick to note that the
bridge builders of Manhattan bridge were using a novel approach called
"deflection theory" in the building of the Manhattan bridge. "Deflection
theory," according to Dr. Winpenny, resulted in bridges that were lighter and
supposedly more flexible; but it also resulted in bridges that later would crack
and strain under the heavy traffic of subway trains that rumbled across. Another
circumstance behind the building of the bridge is its relevance in light of the
bridge collapse on the St. Lawrence and near Quebec, where 75 bridge builders
plummeted to their deaths. Dr Winpenny suggests that because the Quebec Bridge
was a Phoenix Bridge project, the company was willing to undertake the Manhattan
bridge even with low profit prospects and cooperation with the bridge union,
IAB&SIW. In short, the Phoenix Bridge company used the building of the
Manhattan bridge as a means of redeeming their reputation. In what may be
considered a slight digression, Dr. Winpenny paints the terroristic "dynamiting"
attacks of IAB&SIW members on the property of bridge corporations, which
included the Phoenix Bridge Company. In any case, Dr. Winpenny illustrates the
national power (or at least zeal) of the bridge unions.
The latter half
of Dr. Winpenny's book focuses on the upkeep and use of the Manhattan Bridge
since it was completed in 1909. One of the first issues explored is the problem
with subway trains on the bridge. The trains were heavy, and moreover they ran
on the outside lanes of the bridge, which caused more stress to the bridge than
were the trains run on the center lanes. An interesting fact that Dr. Winpenny
points out is that, while it makes common sense that the trains should run on
the inside lanes, this was not an option to the bridge builders; the costs to
rearrange the two entrance ends of the bridge to accommodate these lane
configurations was too expensive. Dr. Winpenny also explores the bridge v.
tunnel controversy; and he effectively debunks as a post hoc fallacy the belief,
held especially by John Ward, that bridges cause hindered growth and devalued
property values on each end of the bridge. One figure that Dr. Winpenny
highlights as important to the maintenance of the Manhattan Bridge is Robert
Moses. This individual is mostly responsible for reconfiguring the ends of the
Manhattan bridge to facilitate transportation to and from nearby interstates. In
the final section of his book Dr. Winpenny highlights the decrepitude of the
Manhattan Bridge. Through natural wear and tear, the effects of weather, and the
effects of automobile accidents and other violent movements, the bridge is
slowly falling apart. The history since the 1950's is aptly described by
Winpenny as "patch, patch, patch." The only problem: is the patching really
effective. Despite the numerous efforts to refurnish the bridge to its original
structural integrity (whatever that might be), major fissures and cracks have
been found on the bridge. The bridge is presently probably the most dangerous
bridge in Manhattan in terms of its likelihood of collapsing.
In short,
Dr. Winpenny's book is a good exploration of the construction and future
problems of the Manhattan Bridge. The historical circumstances surrounding the
bridge construction are also well described. Perhaps some additional information
on the day-by-day construction problems of building the Manhattan Bridge is
called for; but overall Dr. Winpenny gives an excellent account of the Manhattan
Bridge and its present infirmities.
Thomas R.
Winpenny
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA
17022
e-mail: winpentr@etown.edu