Construction on the foundations of the St Louis bridge

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Construction on the foundations of the St Louis bridge

5310129 Construction on the foundations of the St Louis bridge; (add.info.: Engraving depicting construction on the foundations of the St. Louis bridge (c 1870). The men on the left of the picture are using a sand-pump to remove the subsoil. Air locks were at the bottom of the shaft. Men suffered greatly from caisson disease (bends) as they were decompressing too quickly, and there were 14 fatalities. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Media ID 38364498

© Universal History Archive/UIG / Bridgeman Images

Disease Fatal Fatalities Foundations Louis Decompression Labourer

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intense construction on the foundations of the iconic St. Louis bridge in the 19th century. The engraving depicts laborers hard at work, using a sand-pump to remove subsoil as they lay down the groundwork for this monumental structure. However, behind this seemingly routine construction process lies a tragic reality. Men working on this project faced great risks, particularly from caisson disease, also known as "the bends." As workers decompressed too quickly after being deep underwater in air locks at the bottom of shafts, 14 fatalities occurred during the construction of this bridge. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by these laborers in building such vital infrastructure. Their dedication and hard work are evident in every detail captured in this illustration. As we admire this historical photograph, let us not forget those who lost their lives in constructing one of St. Louis' most important landmarks. May their legacy live on through the enduring strength and beauty of this magnificent bridge that stands tall today.

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