Tay Bridge Disaster (The Passengers)

The Tay Bridge Disaster of 28th December 1879. This is the story of some of the passengers who died travelling on this train plus the memorial stones in memory of thoses who died.

[@arthurduncan5999]

In 1953 at the age of 7, I had a nightmare. I lived in Dundee and within 1/2 a mile from the bridge. I was standing on the sandbanks looking at the wrecked train. One of the women that died was Elizabeth Milne, I found out later that my grandmother and her sister was related to the Milnes and were named after Elizabeth. I still get the nightmare and I'm now 73.

[@india-skyecharlton9314]

That you had that nightmare at the age of 7 is very strange, like a distant memory through your ancestors and their relations. Thanks for sharing and I hope the nightmare stops. My Dad is 80 and lives near Aberdeen. I must ask him what he knows of this disaster.

[@arthurduncan5999]

@@india-skyecharlton9314 Re-incarnation?

[@arthurduncan5999]

Now 76 and diagnosed with cancer. Just before I was entering the operating theatre I could feel a cold hand in mine. Elizabeth is still with me.

[@kirkmattoon2594]

Nicely done, thank you. It humanises a tragedy by giving identity to those who might otherwise be remembered only as statistics. I'm reminded of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder. Something you said on your other Tay Bridge Disaster video has stuck with me. You said the elders of the kirk blamed the passengers. They were travelling on a Sunday, and received their just rewards for such sacrilege, said the top Presbyterians. I thought such stiff-necked intolerance had disappeared from the Christian world long before 1879, but apparently not.

[@kabali1788]

Excellent documentary.

[@meirion500]

Another superb video. Are you working in broadcasting as you have a great voice and fantastic delivery :-)

[@sandeebeech3390]

Great documentary, beautifully shot and researched. This tragedy is humanised by telling the story of the victims using their names and giving details of their backgrounds as too often from the past we only hear about numbers and forget the people. Its quite shameful that the memorial took 134 years to erect and relied on charitable donations, I imagine if all the victims had been of a higher social class then a memorial would have been erected far sooner. Its unbelievable to think that no one was held accountable for this catastrophe and brought to justice either.

[@vat69man2002]

This documentary was beautifully made and filled in so many gaps in my knowledge. I am from Dundee, born in 1934 and heard stories of the disaster, but none that brought home the tragedy so much. I have crossed the new bridge often as many have.

[@leonmarkrodziewicz279]

Thoroughly enjoyed both your documentaries on this. Although I knew about the disaster, this has considerably broadened my knowledge and you have made it feel so much more human.

[@FlynBrian]

Fantastic account oh the event Ed! Good to see you are posting on KZbin again.

[@TheRailways007]

Thanks Brian Hope your all well

[@FlynBrian]

TheRailways007 Doing quite well! Thanks!

[@alisonsimpson6193]

Great video really like the memorial stones

[@geoffhunter7704]

Thomas Bouch was the Engineer of the St Andrews Railway in 1855-58 as well as the Crieff Junction Railway too.

[@josephmarrison4606]

Pity the engine was scrapped. It would have been a historical thing to preserve. Hope someone builds a replica at one point. I wonder what happened to the 29 bodies too.

[@geoffhunter7704]

The NBR had thought to preserve "the Diver" but for economic and reputational reasons decided to scrap her as she was worn out.