The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, completed in 1851, stood as the longest suspension bridge in the world when Charles Ellet, Jr. finalized its construction. This accomplishment marked a pinnacle in his career as a civil engineer, reflecting his expertise in heavy infrastructure that bridged vast spans across the rapidly industrializing United States during the mid-nineteenth century.
Professional Formation
Born on 1 January 1810 at Penn's Manor in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ellet began his career as a rodman for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Seeking advanced technical instruction, he traveled to France to study at the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées. Upon his return, he worked on the Utica and Schenectady Railroad and conducted surveys for the New York and Erie Railroad. In 1843, his contributions to the field were recognized by his election to the American Philosophical Society.
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Ellet focused heavily on wire-cable suspension technology. In 1842, he constructed the second Spring Garden Street bridge in Philadelphia, the first major project of its kind in the nation. He followed this in 1848 by erecting the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which featured a 770-foot span and served as the first railway suspension crossing of the Niagara Gorge. His work extended to canal management, serving as president of the Schuylkill Navigation Company between 1846 and 1847 to oversee anthracite coal transport improvements.
Hydraulic Engineering
Commissioned by the Secretary of War in 1850, Ellet conducted the first Federal survey of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. His findings in the Report of the Overflows of the Delta of the Mississippi River provided critical insights into flood prevention and navigation. He argued that artificial embankments contributed to the delta's overflow, a perspective that pre-dated later environmental observations by George Perkins Marsh. His expertise also informed substantial revisions to the New Orleans waterfront.
Naval Warfare and Final Service
Following the sinking of the SS Arctic in 1854, Ellet theorized that steam-powered ram ships could dominate naval combat. After initially failing to secure support from the Russian government and the U.S. Navy, he successfully commissioned the United States Ram Fleet during the American Civil War. As a colonel, he commanded this Union Army unit, which was composed of converted commercial steamers. His ships proved decisive during the First Battle of Memphis, where Ellet sustained a wound that resulted in his death in Cairo on 21 June 1862.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 January 1810, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Died: 21 June 1862, Cairo
- Education: École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Notable Works: Wheeling Suspension Bridge, Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge
- Burial Site: Laurel Hill Cemetery
- Professional Membership: American Philosophical Society
- Key Role: Commander of the United States Ram Fleet
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the United States Ram Fleet?
Created during the Civil War, the fleet consisted of converted commercial steamers designed to use steam-powered ramming as an effective naval combat tactic.
Where is Charles Ellet, Jr. buried?
He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Achievements
- Trained at École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
