Tag: Charles H. Cleaves

The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 as the longest suspension bridge in the world (5,989 feet) and the tallest free standing structure in the Northern Hemisphere. Rockport attorney and photographer Charles H. Cleaves (1877–1937), who had interests in Cape Ann granite quarries, probably made this photograph to show how our granite was used. Although the bridge’s clearance at high tide is 135 feet, this full rigged ship still had to step her topmasts to pass through. Three tugs tow the ship down the East River and out of New York Harbor.

I have driven, walked, and bicycled over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, where I was born. The bridge really is a National Treasure, the Eight Wonder of the World, and I have sold her many times.