Tay Bridge and west Dundee from The Law
During a violent storm on the evening of 28 December 1879, the centre section of the first Tay Bridge, known as the “High Girders”, collapsed, taking with it a train that was running on its single track. Seventy-five lives were lost, including the son-in-law of design engineer Sir Thomas Bouch. The total number was only established by a meticulous examination of ticket sales, some from as far away as King’s Cross. Forty-six of the sixty known victims were found, with two bodies not being recovered until February 1880. A common 19th century urban myth in Dundee was that Karl Marx would have been a passenger on the fatal train of 1879 had illness not prevented him from travelling. The foundations of the first bridge were not removed and remain visible alongside the existing newer bridge. (Source)
Tsy Bridge
What is not generally known is that the original girders on the approach viaduct have been re-used in the replacement bridge.
In the early 60s the expansion bearings were replaced over several years as the old ones were in a very fractured condition.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:26 pm