A tragic collision involving the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge resulted in the deaths of two cadets. This incident, the first of its kind to cause fatalities, highlights long-standing navigation risks associated with the iconic bridge, which has historically posed dangers to vessels since its construction in 1883. Despite lawsuits in the late 19th century concerning the height of ships, navigation issues around the bridge have persisted, reminding sailors of the challenges posed by the structure's clearance.
"That's the first and possibly only time where there's been a fatality onboard of a ship that struck the Brooklyn Bridge," said Dominique Jean-Louis, chief historian at the Center for Brooklyn History.
"Even before construction on the bridge was finished in the late 19th century, the topmast of a passing U.S. Navy ship hit the span's wires - and vessels continued to clip the iconic New York City structure for many years."
"Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River, connecting its eponymous borough's downtown to Manhattan. The highest point of the bridge's underside is listed at 135 feet (41.1 meters) on average above the water, but it fluctuates with the tides."
"Before that decision, however, at least one ship had already tangled with the still-under-construction crossing."
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