In New York City, mid-winter cold produces an ice bridge in the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

During the early morning hours the East River in New York City, helped by ice flowing downstream, froze over in three places sufficient to cause an ice bridge between Manhattan and Brooklyn.  This rare happening brought New Yorkers out to venture across the bridge and in several cases people had to be rescued when the ice shifted.  The disruption of the ferries, however, is credited with the decision of a need for a permanent man-made bridge across the East River and the subsequent construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.  (By John Osborne)

Source Citation

"Ice Bridge over East River,"  Harper's Weekly, February 9, 1867, p.82.

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