Part 3, Chapter 16 Summary and Analysis

"Spirits of '76" looks at Roebling's frustrating life and indecision over whether he can remain in charge of the bridge. The newly incorporated John A. Roebling's Sons participate in the Philadelphia Exhibition, anticipating the next phase of the project. After six months on the Rhine, they buy a house on Columbia Heights a half mile from the bridge, but on doctors' advice, they spend nearly three years in Trenton. Letters and reports flow in from the engineers and Roebling issues detailed orders on every aspect of the stonework, and the tower saddles. He is on top of every detail, recommending pay raises for his assistants, and hires Theodore Cooper, a St. Louis veteran, to inspect iron for the superstructure. When Murphy economizes by furloughing men, Roebling protests, "To build now is to save money!"

After Europe, Roebling suffers stomach...