Media File No. 51546

Firth of Tay Bridge
Southernmost east facing lugs on pier 3 of the high girder section, showing tapered bolt holes in cast iron and broken across the minimum section. The component was the weakest part of the towers which supported the railway, and they broke first during the disaster. The joint at right shows cotter pins which are too small for the slot in the bracing bar. They worked loose before the accident, but were not tightened when found, and so also contributed to the disaster