The Forth bridge was formally opened on Tuesday by the Prince of Wales. Leaving Dalmeny house, the residence of Lord Rose, at II o’clock, party joined the royal train at the Forth British Station in a quarter of an hour. The royal train consisted of 16 carriage., and at 25 minutes, past 11, it steamed slowly across the bridge, the Journey taking ten minutes. As the train crossed, a royal salute was fired from H.M.S. Devastation. The royal patty and the directors then boarded two steamers and inspected the bridge from the Forth.
The train was once more returned to, and when the centre of the bridge was gained, the Prince drove the last rivet in the north girder. The train again was put in motion, and when the south pier was reached the Prince declared the Forth bridge open.
A banquet was then held in the model room of the works, at which the Prince of Wales, in proposing “Success to the Forth Bridge Company,” made a lengthy speech.
He announced that the Queen had been pleased to confer baronetcies on the chairman, Mr Michael Thompson, chairman of the Midland Railway Company, and of the Firth Bridge Company, and on Sir John Fowler, the engineer in-chief; a knighthood on Mr William Arrol, the contractor; and a Knight-Commandership of the Order of St Michael and St George on Mr Benjamin Baker, Sir John Fowler’s partner.
BNA copywrite – Northern Ensign and Weekly Gazette – Tuesday 11 March 1890
