Suspension Bridge
Cincinnati Daily Gazette, Thursday, 19 January 1854, page 2
Several days since the abutments in which were imbedded the anchorage of the Newport and Covington Wire Suspension Bridge began to crack fro the weight of the bridge, evidence that the bridge was in unsafe condition. The Directors met and took immediate steps preparatory to having the anchorage more firmed secured, but yesterday afternoon, about 5 pm, as some cattle were being driven over, by two men, the anchorage gave way and uprotting the abutments, the bridge and all were precipitated into the river.
The swiftness of the river, occasioned by the rise, carried the bridge a few feet from where it struck the water and it sunk to the bottom. Both men and all the cattle were thrown into the river and several of the latter were drowned. The men escaped, although one of them received some very serious injuries. It is very fortunate that there were not more persons crossing the bridge than were, on any other evening the bridge is generally crowded.
The loss will be several thousand dollars. Anything like a correct account cannot now be ascertained. The occurrence has cast a gloom over the countenances of the residents of our sister cities, which we trust they will dispel by immediately going to work and re-erecting the bridge, which at a late hour last night we were assured would be done.
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Covington Journal, Saturday, 21 January 1854, page 3
A GREAT WORK IN RUINS
On Monday evening last at 5 o'clock, the iron bars connecting the
cables and the right hand anchor of the Newport and Covington Suspension Bridge,
on the Newport side, gave way and the entire structure fell with a tremendous
crash into the Licking, a distance of 70 feet! At the time of the accident
there were on the bridge two men, Taylor Kees and Henry Clinkum, on horseback,
going from Covington to Newport, and 18 head of cattle, coming from Newport to
Covington. These all fell with the bridge into the river. Keys was
somewhat injured, chiefly internally, but with good medical attendance is doing
well. Clinkum went down on horseback and escaped uninjured! Four of
the cattle were killed.
The bridge in its decent, turned bottom up, twisting the cables as if they had been so many light cords. The towers were not injured; indeed all the mason work remains perfectly firm.
This splendid structure, which had just been opened to the public was built by Mr. Gray, for the cities of Newport and Covington at a cost of about $75,000. It was not quite completed and therefore still on the hands of the contractor. The repairs will cost perhaps fourteen thousand dollars.
The iron, evidently defective, was manufactured in Pittsburgh. Whether or not it had been sufficiently tested we are unable to say. During all the day there had been a soaking rain, which doubtless had its influence in causing the disaster. The rules of the Company allowed 25 head of cattle on the bridge-10 in a lot. Early on the morning after the accident Mr. Gray had a number of men at work clearing away the wreck preparatory to rebuilding. We trust the cities in settling with Mr. Gray will deal with him as leniently as possible.
There were several narrow escapes in addition to those of the men on the bridge. The drivers of the cattle stopped a moment on the other side and thus escaped. A lady resident of Newport had just crossed in her carriage. Mr. Porter, the toll collector, was leaning against the toll house on this side, watching the approach of the cattle. The tower roller was forced from its position and fell through the toll house, passing within a foot or two of Mr. Porter's back and crushing every thing in its way.
A generous act in connection with the bridge accident, was performed by one of our citizens. Jack Harrison seeing Keys struggling in the water, rushed in and rescued the unfortunate man from drowning, took him to his house and had his wants properly attended too.
Clinkum says that as the bridge gave way his mare made a spring, clearing the falling mass and landing 40 feet below on the bottom of the river. Rider and horse rose to the surface together, the rider getting out on one shore and the horse on the other. Clinkum says he wont take a thousand dollars for that mare.