Notes:

• John Templeman built several bridges (like this one) using James Finley's design.
• Repaired in 1827 after 5 of 10 chains snapped under weight of a team of oxen.
• The complete description from Thomas Pope's 1811 Treatise (POPE):

  "The chain Bridge lately thrown over the Merrimack, three miles above Newburyport, in the state of Massachusetts, is now in constant use. This Bridge consists of a single arc, two hundred and forty-four feet span. The abutments are of stone, forty-seven feet long, and thirty-seven high; the uprights, or framed work, which stand on the abutments, are thirty-five feet high, over which are suspended ten distinct chains, the ends of which on both sides of the river are buried deep in pits and secured by large stones: each chain is five hundred and sixteen feet long; and, where they pass over the uprights, they are treble, and made in short links, which is said to be more secure than saddles made of plates of iron. The four middle joists rest on the chains; all the rest are suspended to the main chains to equalize the floor. This Bridge has two passage-ways of fifteen feet in width each, and the floor is so solid as to admit of horses, carriages, etc. to travel at any speed, with very little perceptible motion of the floors. The railing is stout and strong, which adds much firmness to the floor. There are three chains in each range on each side, and four in the middle range: they are calculated to support nearly five hundred tons. From the surface of the water to the middle of the floor is forty feet; and from the top of the abutments to the top of the uprights is thirty-five feet high, making seventy-two feet. The magnitude and power of the abutments, the width and length of the floors, the elevation of the work, the evident powers of the chains, etc. all conspire to make it a wonderful work. Every expense attending it did not amount to twenty-five thousand dollars. The abutment being of stone, the uprights covered, and the chains painted to prevent rust, leaves nothing but the flooring to decay. This Bridge was constructed by John Templeman, Esq. of the district of Columbia, whose talents for the productions of such work, and the various improvements suggested and used by him, have been highly beneficial, and do him great credit."

• Gregory W. Buff sent a transcription of an article describing the 1827 failure. The article was in the Saturday, February 24, 1827 issue (Volume IV, Number 31) of the Canadian Spectator (Montreal, Quebec) newspaper:

  "Newburyport, Feb 9. Disastrious [sic] Accident. - On Tuesday morning last, the Essex Merrimack Bridge gave way in the centre, from the parting of the chains that support it. On the Bridge, at the moment, was a loaded team, drawn by six oxen and two horses, driven by two men, Messrs. Garlton [sic] and Jackman, all of whom were precipitated, forty feet, into the river beneath. The teamsters preserved themselves by means of swimming, and the support of fragments of the bridge; the team were all of them except one of the horses, swept beneath the ice a few rods below, and drowned. Five of the ten chains which supported the Bridge, were snapped in different places, and now remain upholding the broken and shattered timber altogether as sad a wreck as we ever witnessed. At the moment of the crash, the light evolved from the friction of the chains resembled the the vivid streaming of a meteor. Various excuses are assigned for the accident, and none, with more probability, than the united effect of the incumbent pressure of the immense body of snow lying upon the bridge, and the frost which had contracted the particles of iron. These produced a tenseness in the chains, which was incapable of resisting the additional pressure of the loaded team, and the whole gave way. The estimated expense of repairing the breach is about 4000 dollars; and the Directors, as we understand, plan to set about it immediately. It will be built up as before. To those who have been losers by this accident the corporation intend to make generous inumeration. The traveling will be uninterrupted, as the solidity of the ice above the bridge forms a safe passage way - and for the conveyance of carriages and heavy baggage the proprietors have promptly provided suitable boats. If any aversion to chain bridges has been produced by this accident, we should be sorry, for ourselves we feel yet unshaken faith in their superior security. The misfortune in this case was no doubt owing to the causes above stated, and not to any defect in the construction of the bridge. Probably hundreds of individuals, including each sex and all ages, have visited the ruins of the bridge. They present a sad and melancholy appearance - crushed and broken timbers suspended by the massy chains, which hang lazily from the pyramidical abutments, while the beholder instinctly shrinks back in terror at the reflection of the situation of the two human beings who were precipitated into the abyss beneath. The preservation of these two men is almost miraculous. Although hurled down 40 feet amid crashing and falling timber, entangled with their cattle, they fell without receiving the least injury, and attained the shore, after being for nearly half an hour, immerse in water chilled to the freezing point. Mr. Jackman is far advanced in years - and suffered somewhat from the exposure to the cold. Mr. Carlton [sic], escaped unhurt. The Chain Bridge has been built for about fifteen years, the span is 220 feet. We believe this was the second or third Chain Bridge built in the United States; and this is probably the first that has met with a similar accident. We understand the proprieters of the Rooks Bridge intend to rebuild theirs as a Chain Bridge."

• Replaced by 1909 Chain - Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA. The 1909 structure was almost entirely new (except for portions of the piers and abutments).

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001418

Notes:

• BPL: Completed 1848. RDH/BDR: Completed 1848, not used until 1849.
• Originally constructed to carry the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Converted to a one-lane vehicular bridge soon after the canal closed in 1898. Substantially restored in 1980's and 1990's, but retains original cables.
• Built as part of same project as 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.
• Near 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000260

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
• 1854: Rebuilt after it was wrecked by a windstorm. Contrary to popular myth, the rebuilding was undertaken by Ellet and his assistant William K. McComas, not by John A. Roebling.
• 1860: Overhauled. Popular myth often attributes this work to the Roeblings. WHSB attributes this work to William K. McComas. After this overhaul, the bridge still does not have the distinctive diagonal cable stays that give it the appearance of a Roebling bridge.
• 1872: Overhauled according to a design by Washington Roebling. John A. Roebling had died in 1869 and was not involved with this work. WHSB notes, "The design essentially Roeblingized the bridge with the diagonal cable stays that are such a prominent feature of the bridge."
• 2019, September: Closed to vehicular traffic indefinitely due to safety concerns after repeated overweight vehicle violations.
• 2020, November: Bids being evaluated for renovation project. Bridge remains closed to vehicular traffic.
• 2021, April: Single bid received was rejected. Bids expected to be resolicited in June. The bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic.
• 2022, February: $17.9 million renovation project expected to start soon.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1867 John A. Roebling (Cincinnati, Cincinnati and Covington) - Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000478

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood 1913.
• Replaced by 1914 Dresden - Dresden, Ohio, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000947

Notes:

• Rebuilt 1920s, 1970s. Restored, 1950's, for use as a footbridge.
• Bypassed, 1924.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001383

Notes:

• BPL says c. 1866. Historic landmark plaque at bridge also says 1866.
• Extensive repairs, 1960.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001115

Notes:

• 1915: Rebuilt.
• 2020, October: Closed for restoration project expecting to last 18-24 months.
• 2021, March: Major restoration project underway, led by Sparks Engineering, Inc.
• 2023, April: The restored bridge is rededicated on April 22. Patrick Sparks of Sparks Engineering reports: . The rededication was held April 22, 2023. "The project involved full rehabilitation including: replacement of the suspension system and anchor rods, strengthening of the anchorages, replacement of the saddle bearings, retrofit strengthening of the east tower, and deck replacement (concrete on the main deck, tropical hardwood on the side walks)."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001398

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1869 Clifton (Niagara-Clifton, Falls View, First Falls View) - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1903 Williamsburg - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Next to 1909 Manhattan - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Near 1903 Williamsburg - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000011

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1883 Brooklyn (Great East River) - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1924 Bear Mountain - Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain, New York, USA.
• Near 1883 Brooklyn (Great East River) - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Near 1909 Manhattan - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000514

Notes:

• 1987: Closed to vehicular traffic.
• 2006: Vandalized. In December of 2006 after several reports of vandalism, George Britt writes: "I walked the bridge December 24, 2006. It is in rough shape but you can still walk on it if you are careful. Vandals have started fires on the bridge span damaging the planks. Some planks are missing. There is also considerable graffiti about."
• 2008: Scheduled for restoration (repair of deck boards and grafitti).
• 2015: Overdue renovation completed.

External Links:

• Byram Bridge - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000954

Notes:

• Opened December 31, 1909, but not fully completed yet.
• Next to 1883 Brooklyn (Great East River) - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Near 1903 Williamsburg - New York and Brooklyn, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000529

Notes:

• The bridge currently carries a pipeline, but the road deck is closed to all traffic.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001390

Notes:

• 1949: Wooden towers replaced by steel towers.
• 1972: Restricted to pedestrians.
• 1989, October 28: Collapsed killing 5 people and injuring 18 others.
• Location also known as "Winkley Ford" and "Turner's Ferry".
• Companion to 1912 Miller - Miller, Cleburne County, Arkansas, USA.
• Companion to 1912 Tumbling Shoals - Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, USA.

External Links:

• Historic Bridges of the United States - Winkley Bridge - Cleburne County, Arkansas
• Structurae - Structure ID 20001341

Notes:

• 2022, January: Ohio Department of Transportation recommends removal of the bridge due to its deteriorating condition.
• Replaced 1853 Dresden - Dresden, Ohio, USA.

Annotated Citations:

• Hannahs, Nichole. "ODOT Recommends Removal of Suspension Bridge." WHIZ News, 25 Jan. 2022, whiznews.com/2022/01/25/odot-recommends-removal-of-suspension-bridge/
  

  "…ODOT recommended the removal of the structure, which would cost between $1-$2 million, which would be funded by the state. Other more costly options include more than $6 million to make it structurally sound for pedestrians to walk on and over $3.5 million to rehab it and then it still couldn’t be used."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000946

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20003570

Notes:

• Bypassed, 1948.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000958

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1924 Bear Mountain - Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain, New York, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1929 Ambassador - Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
• Near 1957 Walt Whitman - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000531

Notes:

• Hybrid truss, suspension bridge. Collapsed December 15, 1967 while full with traffic. 46 people died.
• Companion to 1928 Saint Marys (Hi Carpenter, Short Route) - Saint Marys, West Virginia and Newport, Ohio, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001423

Notes:

• Same design as the Silver Bridge that famously collapsed in 1967. Demolished 1971 as a precautionary measure because the engineers decided they could not tell if it suffered from the same flaw as the Silver Bridge without dismantling the eyebars.
• Companion to 1928 Point Pleasant (Silver) - Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Kanauga, Gallipolis vicinity, Ohio, USA.

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1926 Benjamin Franklin (Philadelphia-Camden) - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1931 George Washington (GWB) - New York, New York and Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Bridgehunter.com | Ambassador Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000532

Annotated Citations:

• Flynn, Sean. "Mount Hope Bridge's support cables are corroding. It'll take $35 million to save them.." Newport Daily News, 13 Dec. 2021, www.newportri.com/story/news/local/2021/12/13/dehumidification-system-needed-save-mount-hope-bridge-ri-cables-corrosion/6456270001/
  

  "'According to a 2016 inspection of the cables at the Mount Hope Bridge, there is significant breakage of the hundreds of wires that make up each of the cables,' RITBA Executive Director Lori Caron Silveira wrote to the Rhode Island House Finance Committee on Dec. 7"

• "Potential Exposure $1B — RI’s Mount Hope Bridge Is in Critical Need of Repair, Says Bridge Authority." GoLocalProv, 9 Dec. 2021, www.golocalprov.com/news/potential-exposure-1b-ris-mount-hope-bridge-is-in-critical-need-of-repair-s
  

  "...Lori Caron Silveira, Executive Director of the [Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority] warns, 'The cables and anchorages of the 92-year-old Mount Hope Bridge urgently need dehumidification if the Mount Hope is to remain structurally safe and able to continue serving the East Bay and interstate commerce.'"

• Barrett, Scott. "'The bridge is safe': But time is of the essence for Mount Hope Bridge cable repair plan." Newport Daily News, 30 Mar. 2022, www.newportri.com/story/news/local/2022/03/30/mount-hope-bridge-cable-repair-plan-advances-payment-plan-unknown/7207276001/
  

  "The process to preserve the deteriorating cables on the Mount Hope Bridge is underway, though how it will be paid for remains a question mark… the [Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority] has put out a request for proposals for a dehumidification system for the two large supporting cables on the 93-year-old suspension bridge."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000565

Notes:

• This bridge was built solely as a tourist attraction.

External Links:

• Royal Gorge Bridge - HighestBridges.com
• Structurae - Structure ID 20001403

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1929 Ambassador - Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1937 Golden Gate - San Francisco and Marin County, California, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000032

Notes:

• Substantially rehabilitated, 2003-2005.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000510

Notes:

• Replacement cable-stayed bridge, (the Penobscot Narrows Bridge) completed, late 2006.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20001116

Notes:

• Near 2013 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Eastern Span - Oakland and Yerba Buena Island, California, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000262

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000533

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1931 George Washington (GWB) - New York, New York and Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1964 Verrazzano Narrows (Verrazano Narrows) - Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000029

Notes:

• Near 1961 Throgs Neck - The Bronx and Queens, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000010

Notes:

• Famously destroyed by wind, November 7, 1940.
• Replaced by 1950 Tacoma Narrows (Sturdy Gertie, Second Tacoma Narrows) - Tacoma and Gig Harbor, Washington, USA.
• See 1944 Liard River - Liard River Hot Springs vicinity, British Columbia, Canada. According to CTT, "Two sections from the Tacoma bridge's east approach were [re]used in the Liard span."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000074

Notes:

• Next to 1968 Delaware Memorial II - New Castle, Delaware and Pennsville, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Delaware Memorial Bridge - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000511

Notes:

• Next to 1973 William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial II (Chesapeake Bay) - Sandy Point, Maryland, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000562

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000141

Notes:

• Near 1963 Deschutes River - Opal Springs vicinity, Oregon, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20031808

Notes:

• 2017: Long known as the "Verrazano" bridge, efforts to fix the spelling of the bridge's name to "Verrazzano" (such as Giovanni da Verrazzano) pick up momentum with New York state legislature and senate.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1937 Golden Gate - San Francisco and Marin County, California, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1981 Humber - Hull, Humberside, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000085

Notes:

• Next to 1951 Delaware Memorial I - New Castle, Delaware and Pennsville, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Delaware Memorial Bridge - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000557

Notes:

• Next to 1952 William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial I (Chesapeake Bay) - Sandy Point, Maryland, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000561