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Forensic Engineering
 

What Happened When?

 
The railway line leading up to the Tay Bridge
The railway line leading up to the Tay Bridge

The expert theories

Read the various theories as to why the Tay Bridge collapsed.

Aftermath

What was the impact of the Tay Bridge inquiry? Find out more about the aftermath.

The Inquiry

How was the disaster was investigated by the Board of Trade?

Event

Date

 


 

Dee Bridge disaster

1847

Bouch appointed to the Edinburgh and Northern Railway

1849

First train ferry across Forth

1850

Tay Bridge proposal put to North British Railway

1854

Act passed to approve Tay Bridge

July 1870

Contract signed to build a bridge across the Tay

October 1872

Survey of estuary

December 1872

Start of site work

January 1873

Wormit foundry at south end of bridge built

February 1873

Oxford rail disaster

1874

Hopkins, Gilkes & Co take over construction contract

July 1874

Accident in caisson on pier 54; 6 die

August 1875

Fall of main girder in storm

February 1877

Bridge finished and first train passes over

September 1877

Testing of the bridge by Major-General Hutchinson

February 1878

First passenger train passes over completed bridge

May 1878

Queen Victoria rides over bridge; Bouch knighted

June 1878

Bridge collapses in gale killing 75 people

December 1879

Board of Trade inquiry starts in Dundee

January 1880

Board of Trade inquiry in London to hear expert evidence

April 1880

Final report to Parliament in London

June 1880

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