Part 2, Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

"The Mysterious Disorder" delves deeper into "caisson disease," as the New York caisson goes deep enough to cause problems. Roebling hires a doctor to care for victims and to determine a cause. He very nearly does, but prevailing wisdom stands in his way, and this confusing malady has a marked effect on the building of the Great Bridge. By June 1, 1872, the Brooklyn tower looms 100 feet over the East River, and the New York caisson sits 78.5 feet below water. Some 14,500 cubic yards of masonry have gone into the Brooklyn structure and 13,075 into New York. Progress in Brooklyn is so obvious, that it counteracts news reports and gossip, making it appear petty. The tower stands lengthwise against the shore, 140 X 59 feet. It is but a third its eventual height and still 19 feet short of road level. It's growing daily, but undetectably...