At the start of May 1893, Messrs William Baird & Co had commenced sinking their new pit at the Priory (on what was known as Bothwell Castle Policies). This was the creation of the Priory Pit in Blantyre but all was not well.
The shaft had only been sunk about 25 feet when water and running sand caused operations to be suspended. Just 25 feet in, the whole shaft collapsed in with the large wooden beams snapped in half owing to the pressure of the pressing sand.
After consultation, it was decided to abandon the shaft altogether, and accept the efforts to date had been for nothing. A new shaft was sunk 20 feet away, this time with iron caissons to ensure the safety of the pit sinkers.
AI rather imaginatively recreates the scene.
