Part 1, Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis

"The Chief Engineer" concludes Part 1 by portraying Washington Roebling, whose fate is to carry out his father's half-developed plans. McCullough shows how father and son differ and why Wash is as prepared to lead the project as anyone in America. Between being named Chief Engineer in August of 1869 and launching his custom-designed caissons in March of 1870, Wash works behind the scenes, specifying supplies, equipment, and machinery, making personal inspections, and interviewing job applicants. The awarding of contracts is put in the hands of the experienced General Superintendent, Kingsley.

Roebling's youthful staff of six (average age, 31) includes Paine and two Kingsley men, Sam Probasco and C. C. Martin, and three men of Roebling's choosing. Martin, an RPI graduate and veteran of three Kingsley-planned reservoirs, concentrates on supplies and hiring and is Roebling's de facto second-in-command. Francis Collingwood, Jr., another RPI...