1879 : TERRIBLE DISASTER IN SCOTLAND

2 Responses to 1879 : TERRIBLE DISASTER IN SCOTLAND

1. Dave N says:

   August 22, 2011 at 12:47 am

   What I find interesting is that the word “terrific” was being used to describe something very scary. These days, it’s usually “horrific”, “terrifying”, or “unprecedented”

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2. Moray Stewart-Guthrie says:

   August 22, 2011 at 12:54 pm

   The storm was described as a one in a 100 year event, although the Tay valley is prone to violent windstorms similar to this one. The bridge was badly designed, and the quality of the manufacturing of the cast iron components was questionable. Maintenance was poor, and there is evidence that the speed limit of trains was not observed, leading to excessive vibration, which could have damaged the structure. All in all, this is a classic case of infant mortality, in reliabilty terms. The Board of Trade enquiry found Sir Thomas Bouch, who designed the bridge, responsible for the disaster, not the storm. It was thought that there might have bee 200 people on the train, but it was Sunday evening, and in those days, some thought it sinful to travel on the Sabbath. I believe the deat toll was 79.

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