Posted on 03/16/2020 8:28:09 AM PDT by NRx
The Bear Mountain Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York City, opened in 1924. It was, at the time, the only highway bridge across the Hudson south of Albany. It also was, when it opened in November 1924, the longest suspension bridge in the world. Movietone's cameras visited the bridge earlier in 1924 while it was still under construction. There is no modern safety gear, of course, and the workers ham it up a bit for the camera. There are shots from above and below the decking, along with a dizzying ride up on a girder as it is hoisted into place. The original film is silent, so have added music by American composer William Schuman to the soundtrack. Its title is "George Washington Bridge," but it seems to fit well enough here.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtu.be ...
Wow, those guys walking on the beam with no safety harness makes my head spin.
Guys sliding down cables with only gloved hands, others climbing them.....
Those men were a different breed. God bless them.
I watched the whole thing. Saw the camera man on the beam with his camera. You could tell it was very windy up there by his pants moving.
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