After 130 years victims of Tay Bridge disaster to get permanent memorial

IT WAS one of the worst civilian catastrophes of Victorian times, but, until now, the Tay Bridge disaster has only been commemorated in the verse of William Topaz McGonagall – the "poet and tragedian" often ridiculed as the world's worst wordsmith.

• A drawing at the time depicts part of the rescue operation following the collapse of the bridge in December 1879. Picture: HultonArchive/Illustrated London News/Getty Images

But yesterday it was revealed that a permanent memorial is to be built to the 75 men, women and children who died when the storm lashed rail bridge over the Tay collapsed in December 1879.

A memorial fund group chaired by Fife aristocrat Stuart Morris, the son of the Laird of Balgonie, whose great-great-great grandmother died in the tragedy, has been established to raise money for the project.

The main monument is planned for the quayside at Dundee, with a smaller one to be built at the opposite side of the river near Wormit. The scheme has already won the support of community councils in Wormit, Tayport and Dundee and the Tay Valley Family History Society.

The Tay Bridge was the world's longest rail bridge when its central spans collapsed as a train, with six carriages and carrying 75 passengers and crew, neared Dundee from the south.

Mr Morris, whose family seat is 14th century Balgonie Castle, near Markinch, has been leading the campaign for a permanent memorial for several months, and the steering group to raise funds has now been established.

He said: "As a descendant of one of the victims, this is something that I have thought about for several years and it is so good that the victims of this national tragedy are finally going to have a memorial after more than 130 years."

One of the main supporters of the drive is Dundee councillor Fraser Macpherson, who said: "Stuart and I have both felt for a considerable period of time there is need for a proper and lasting memorial to the victims of the 1879 disaster. It's quite unbelievable that one of the most famous disasters in Scotland's history has never had a memorial."

The first verse of McGonagall's poem is etched into the pavement that runs along the north bank of the river and is close to the bridge. But the work was a public art project commissioned by Dundee's City of Discovery Campaign as a tribute to the poet 100 years after his death, rather than the victims of the Tay Bridge disaster.

Mr Macpherson said: "It was a very significant and tragic event in the latter part of the Victorian era. It was a national disaster that left 75 people dead and we just feel there is a need to recognise that.

"We intend launching an appeal and have already discussed possible sites. We think there is an obvious site on Riverside Drive in Dundee, but we are keen to get the public's views on this and to ensure we get a memorial that is fitting."

The two-mile bridge collapsed less than two years after it opened. The disaster shocked Victorian Britain and ruined the reputation of the bridge's designer, Sir Thomas Bouch, who was knighted shortly before the disaster. He died a broken man.

The replacement bridge, still in use today, was completed in 1885. Over the years various theories have been put forward to explain why the bridge collapsed.

But perhaps McGonagall put it best in the final verse of his poem:

"Oh! ill-fated Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,

"I must now conclude my lay

"By telling the world fearlessly without the least dismay,

"That your central girders would not have given way,

"At least many sensible men do say,

"Had they been supported on each side with buttresses,

"At least many sensible men confesses,

"For the stronger we our houses do build,

"The less chance we have of being killed."

Terrible rhyme remember'd for a very long time

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.

'Twas about seven o'clock at night,

And the wind it blew with all its might,

And the rain came pouring down,

And the dark clouds seem'd to frown,

And the Demon of the air seem'd to say-

"I'll blow down the Bridge of Tay."

When the train left Edinburgh

The passengers' hearts were light and felt no sorrow,

But Boreas blew a terrific gale,

Which made their hearts for to quail,

And many of the passengers with fear did say-

"I hope God will send us safe across the Bridge of Tay."

But when the train came near to Wormit Bay,

Boreas he did loud and angry bray,

And shook the central girders of the Bridge of Tay

On the last Sabbath day of 1879,

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