The Tay Bridge disaster, view of the broken bridge from the north end. The engineer Thomas Bouch advocated the need for a bridge crossing the Tay for a number of years before building began in 1873. The bridge was said to be unstable, especially during bad weather. On the 28th December 1879, during a treacherous weather conditions the Tay Bridge collapse killing over 75 passengers and staff. Bad workmanship and incorrect materials were blamed for the disaster and Bouch's reputation was disgraced.