Aberdeen Journal on 12 April. Inquiry A public inquiry was held in Aberdeen by the Board of Trade. This was the first such inquiry held in Scotland and was chaired by Captain Harris of the Royal Navy. It was well attended by members of the public. Witnesses reported that the river was flowing very fast, and that the wire-boat was more at risk than those being rowed across the water. The matter of overcrowding was also felt to be significant, but the poorly spliced wire was perhaps ultimately to blame. Aftermath A fund was set up to support those affected. Funds were donated from subscriptions and from fundraising. There had been plans for some time for a new bridge across to Torry but the final impetus was provided by the disaster and Queen Victoria Bridge was formally opened on 2 July 1881. The bridge was partly funded by public subscription and partly by the Corporation of Aberdeen Council, and provides direct access from Torry into the heart of Aberdeen. A plaque commemorating those who died in this disaster was erected on the bridge in 2005. References See also List of United Kingdom disasters by death toll History of Aberdeen Shipwrecks in rivers Maritime incidents in April 1876 1876 in Scotland Transport disasters in Scotland Shipwrecks of Scotland April 1876 events