Founded 1953

Tay Bridge Disaster

This is the aftermath of a famous accident that happened on the bridge at Christmas 1879

The Tay bridge was designed by Sir Thomas Bouch

More than 75 people lost their lives on the stormy night of 28th December 1879 when the centre section of the bridge collapsed as a train was passing over it. Sir Thomas’ son in law was amongst the dead.

Here is a poem by William McGonagall entitled ‘The Tay Bridge Disaster’

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!

Alas! I am very sorry to say

That ninety lives have been taken away

On the last Sabbath day of 1879,

Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

This was the second of three poems penned by McGonagall about the Tay bridge. The first was ‘The Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay’, written after bridge was opened in June 1878. The last was ‘An Address to the New Tay Bridge’ written after the bridge was re-opened in July 1887.