We had a very interesting, albeit sobering, visit to the Forth Bridge, a cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Approximately 4,600 workers were employed during the 7 years of the bridge's construction. They were provided with caps, thick woollen jackets and waterproof suits, protection only against the weather.
It was recorded in 1890 when the bridge officially opened that 57 lives had been lost. In 2005 the Forth Bridge Memorial Committee erected a monument to those lost, and a team of local historians set out to name all those who died.
Eight men were saved from drowning by rowing boats positioned in the river under the working areas.
As of 2009, the original figure has been amended to 73 deaths. It is thought that the figure of 57 deaths excluded those who died working on the approaches to the bridge, which were completed by a subcontractor, also those who died after the Sick and Accident Club** stopped. Of the 73 men who died, 38 fell, 9 were crushed, 9 drowned, 8 were struck by a falling object, 3 died in a fire in a bothy, 1 died of decompression disease, and the cause of five deaths is unknown.
The youngest to die is said to have been 13 years old.
**This club was founded in the summer of 1883. Membership was compulsory for all contractors' employees. It provided medical treatment to men and sometimes their families, and paid them if they were unable to work. The club also paid for funerals within certain limits, and provided grants to the widows of men killed or the wives of those permanently disabled.
I do adore bridges. The engineering fascinates me and all my family. There always seemed to be quite a loss of life during these endeavours before the days of attaching by rope and hard hats.
I love the photo and also your words. Reminds me of when the Humber Bridge was being built and we watched the construction during our 'courting' days :) Very sobering when you think of the dangers.
Dear Hazel. I was looking in my old pic. album from the time I was sailor to day and found a pic. postcard of this bridge nearly the same as you capture. Not much of a chance in all those years. ( +/- 1965 )
What an amazing coincidence Ferry. I should like to see it. Perhaps on Facebook if not on here?