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Tay Brig disaster

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Tay Brig disaster
Later drawin o the sairtch efter the disaster
Later drawin o the sairtch efter the disaster
Date28 December 1879
Time7:16 pm
LocationDundee
KintraScotland
Rail lineEdinburgh tae Aiberdeen Line
OperatorNorth British Railwey
CauseStructural failyie
Statistics
Trains1
Passengers70
Daiths75 estimate, 60 kent deid
Injuries0

The first Tay rail brig wis opened in 1878, efter seiven years biggin. It wis the langest brig in the hail warld in the time. Nae lang efter trains stairtit yaisin the brig, on the nicht o a affy hoolie, reportit tae hae been ane o the wirst in 30 year wi gales o 80 mile a oor, the grand brig faad doon tae the the watter in a michty stramash, takin aabodie on board, ower 50 fowk, tae thair deiths.[1]

A inquiry wis held no lang efter, an fund a hail lot o problems that aa haed a pairt in the disaster. The airn the brig wis biggit oot o wis reportit tae hae been o pair quality, the inspector wis a brickie til thair tred and no qualified tae check the brig wis soond, the gaffer wisna verra weel, near eneuch seiventy an cudna speak tae the investigators, an anither ingineer haed flittit tae Australia. But the main culprit wis the houlin wind. It wis neer expectit that sic gales wud blaw athort the Tay.

The disaster wis commemorated in a poem bi William McGonagall.[2]

Coordinates: 56°26′14.4″N 2°59′18.4″W / 56.437333°N 2.988444°W / 56.437333; -2.988444

References

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  1. "Scotland's History: The Tay Bridge Disaster". ScotlandsPeople (in Inglis). 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 Mey 2021.
  2. McGonaggal, William. "The Tay Bridge Disaster by William McGonagall". Scottish Poetry Library. Retrieved 16 Mey 2021.