Context
The city of Aberdeen lies at the mouth of the River Dee. At the time of the disaster, on the south bank was the separate Royal Burgh of Torry; in 1891 this was incorporated into Aberdeen.
5 April was a public holiday, so many people were not working. There was a fair in Torry and the Bay of Nigg, and large numbers of people were crossing the River Dee by ferry, heading for the holiday fair.
The ferry operated on a pulley system, attached by a rope at each end to either bank, allowing it to be pulled across the river, without the need for an engine, sails or rudder on the boat.
Read more about this topic: River Dee Ferry Boat Disaster
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