Suspension bridges like the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's western span consist of decks suspended from thick cables by vertical suspenders. The cables themselves, consisting of multiple strands of wire, are typically supported by towers topped by "saddles," equipment designed to allow the cables to shift as needed during construction or in response to changes in load.
Identification Information: Dept. of Public Works, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Construction Photographs (F2516:1-93). North Cable, Saddle W1, 10/08/1935: Box 13 (C5229), photograph 6-1406.