Washington Roebling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington Roebling
|
|
|---|---|
Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926)
|
|
| Born |
Washington Augustus Roebling
May 26, 1837 |
| Died | July 21, 1926 (aged 89) |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Warren Roebling |
| Children | John Augustus Roebling II |
| Engineering career | |
| Projects | Allegheny Bridge, Cincinnati-Covington Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge |
Washington Augustus Roebling (born May 26, 1837 – died July 21, 1926) was an American civil engineer. He is most famous for overseeing the building of the amazing Brooklyn Bridge. His father, John A. Roebling, first designed this famous bridge. Washington also served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, even fighting in the important Battle of Gettysburg.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Washington Roebling was born in 1837 in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. This town was actually started by his father and uncle. He was the oldest son of Johanna and John A. Roebling. Washington studied engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York from 1854 to 1857. He wrote a paper about designing a suspension aqueduct, which is like a bridge for carrying water.
After finishing his studies, Washington became a civil engineer. He joined his father to work on building bridges. From 1858 to 1860, he helped his father build the Sixth Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. After this, he worked in his father's wire factory.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Washington joined the New Jersey Militia. He wanted to do more than just guard duty, so he joined a New York artillery group. He helped build suspension bridges to move soldiers and supplies. He quickly moved up in rank, becoming a 2nd Lieutenant.
Roebling fought in many important battles. These included Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. He was also part of the Battle of Gettysburg. After Chancellorsville, he was one of the first to notice that the Confederate Army was moving north. He found this out by using a hot air balloon to look around!
Roebling at Gettysburg
On July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Roebling was one of the first Union officers on Little Round Top. This was a very important hill. He saw signs of Confederate soldiers coming. He quickly reported this to General Gouverneur K. Warren, who he worked for.
General Warren and Roebling went down the hill to find soldiers to protect this key spot. Roebling helped pull cannons up the hill. Thanks to their quick actions, Union soldiers were sent to the hill. They defended it against many attacks from the Confederate Army. Roebling was later honored for his brave service in the war. He finished his military service as a colonel.
Building the Brooklyn Bridge
From 1865 to 1867, Roebling worked with his father on another bridge project. This was the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge, now called the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. While traveling in Europe to learn more about bridge building, his only son, John A. Roebling II, was born.
In 1868, Washington came back to the U.S. He became the assistant engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge project. Sadly, his father died in 1869. Washington then became the chief engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge. He made important changes to the bridge's design. He also improved how bridges were built. For example, he designed two large air-filled caissons. These were like giant, watertight boxes used to build the bridge's foundations deep underwater.
Facing Health Challenges
In 1870, a fire broke out in one of the caissons. Roebling bravely went inside to help put out the flames. Working in the compressed air deep under the river caused him to get very sick. He got a condition called decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." This illness severely damaged his health. He could no longer visit the bridge site in person.
Even though he was very sick, Washington Roebling continued to lead the Brooklyn Bridge project. He oversaw its successful completion in 1883. His amazing wife, Emily Warren Roebling, learned a lot about bridge construction. She took over many of the chief engineer's daily duties. She managed the project and made sure everything kept moving forward. Emily also made sure Washington remained the official chief engineer. It was truly remarkable how he managed such a huge project from afar. Roebling battled the effects of his illness for the rest of his life.
Later Years and Legacy
After the Brooklyn Bridge was finished, Roebling and his wife lived in Troy, New York. Their son, John A. Roebling II, also went to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1892, the Roeblings moved back to Trenton, New Jersey.
Washington's wife, Emily, passed away in 1903. He remarried in 1908 to Cornelia Witsell Farrow. Sadly, his nephew, also named Washington Augustus Roebling II, died when the RMS Titanic sank in 1912.
In 1921, at the age of 84, Roebling became president of his family's company, John A. Roebling's Sons Company. He passed away in 1926 at the age of 89.
Roebling's Collections
One of Roebling's favorite hobbies was collecting rocks and minerals. He had a huge collection of over 16,000 specimens! In 1926, his son donated this amazing collection to the Smithsonian Institution. It became a very important part of their mineral and gem collection. One special item in his collection was the Canary Diamond. This is a large, nearly 18-carat yellow diamond.
Roebling also gave money to the Mineralogical Society of America. This money helps support the Roebling Medal, which is the society's highest award. His gift has grown a lot over the years. Many important scientists, including two Nobel Prize winners, have received this medal.
Many of his writings, photos, and publications are kept at Rutgers University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Images for kids
-
Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926)
-
Théobald Chartran – Portrait of Washington A. Roebling – Brooklyn Museum
See also
In Spanish: Washington Roebling para niños
