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In 2016, Blantyre Project embarked upon a venture to produce the most comprehensive and largest list of Blantyre Mining Accidents ever compiled on or offline. This extensive research was incredibly time consuming, took several weeks to compile with some of the information expensive to retrieve, but it noted here for reference, sorted into date order. Should you wish to use any of these words on or offline, please contact us. (c) Blantyre Project.
Blantyre Mining Accidents 1800’s | Blantyre Mining Accidents 1900’s |
Featured Blantyre Accidents
21 November 1867
Melancholy Accident – About eight o’clock on Thursday morning, a miner , named Arthur M’Cormick, met with a fatal accident in Seafield Crescent Pit, in the parish of Blantyre. He and another miner, named David Jones, residing in East Kilbride, were being lowered into the pit by means of a “gin.” The two men by whom it was wrought having been overpowered, they lost hold and the cage went to the bottom of the pit a distance of eighteen feet, with a fearful crash. M’Cormick had a pick in his hand at the time, and v/hen the cage struck the bottom, the end of the pick-shaft came violently in contact with his abdomen, injuring him so severely that he died, early yesterday morning. Dr Lennox attended. The other man Jones escaped with some slight injuries. Deceased was unmarried. [Scotsman 23 November 1867]
14 February 1872
Hamilton – Fatal Coal Pit Accident – Between 5 and 6 o’clock yesterday morning, John Bodsman, pitheadman, Almada Street, Hamilton, was killed at No 1 pit, Priestfield, the property of Mr W S Dixon. The deceased had charge of the valves which opened and shut the water-chest at the pit mouth. A chestful of water had been drawn, and Bodman went on to the cage for the purpose of turning the valve handles, when, in some unaccountable way, he was suddenly jammed between the cage and the “shuts” or woodwork at the pit head. Death resulted in about 4 hours after the accident. The deceased, who was 30 years of age, has left a widow and two children. [Reference: Scotsman 14 February 1872]
27 February 1874
Blantyre – Found Dead – Yesterday morning, Bernard Roy, about 80 years of age, employed as a night watchman at No 1 ironstone pit, was found dead in the lodge at this pit. When the men employed at the pit came upon the ground at half past five am, they noticed that the old man was not to be seen, whereupon they proceeded to the lodge which they found to be jammed from the inside, and on forcing open the door, discovered the unfortunate man lying upon the ground quite dead. The cause of death is supposed to have been apoplexy. [Hamilton Advertiser 28 February 1874]
2 March 1874
Serious Pit Explosion at Blantyre – Two Men Killed – An alarming explosion occurred at an early hour yesterday morning, whereby two brushers named Hugh Pollock and John Kerr, were instantly killed. They had been employed in one of Dixon’s pits at Priestfield, and shortly after midnight had proceeded to their work in repairing and clearing the roads for the entrance of miners at 5 o’clock. They both were provided with safety lamps, and had not been half an hour in the pit when those residing tin the neighbourhood were startled by a loud explosion. On search being made, the body of Pollock was found resting against one of the pit props, having been blown a distance of 20 yards, and that of Kerr was discovered near the mouth of the shaft. As no one was in the pit except themselves t the time, it is not known how the explosion was caused. The deceased were 50 and 30 years of age respectively [Scotsman 3 March 1874]
30 May 1874
On Saturday morning a labourer named John Morrison was killed in No 2 coal pit, Priestfield, Blantyre, by falling from the cage to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 42 fathoms. [Scotsman 1 June 1874]
Melancholy Coal Pit Accident – At an early hour on Saturday morning, a labourer named John Morrison, residing in Lamb Street Hamilton, was killed in No 2 Pit, Priestfield Colliery, Blantyre, wrought by Wm S Dixon (Limited). The miners at the works have for some time been on strike, but the “oncost” men are still employed about the pit, Morrison being one of them. He was in the act of removing one of the wooden planks across the shaft in the soft coal seam, on which the cage rests, when one end suddenly falling away, he lost his balance, and was precipitated with great violence to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 42 fathoms. His body was found shortly afterwards in about ten feet of water. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was married and has left a widow and family. [Hamilton Advertiser 6 June 1874]
19 June 1874
Yesterday, Robert Paxton, pit-sinker, Blantyre, was killed by falling down Greenhall coal pit, near Hamilton, while engaged making some repairs. His body was found in three feet of water at the bottom of the shaft. [Scotsman 20 June 1874]
Blantyre – Melancholy Accident – About 8 o’clock yesterday morning, a melancholy accident occurred at No 2 Pit, Greenhall Colliery, in the course of being sunk by Messrs. Colin Dunlop & Co., Quarter Iron Works. Two sinkers – Wm. Gallacher, and Robt. Paxton, residing at Hunthill, were working together in the pit (which had been put down to the extent of 15 fathoms) and wer standing on a scaffolding when the kettle in descending caught on a plank about seven feet above them. The rope attached to it somehow slackened, and the kettle freeing itself suddenly, fell with a violent jerk, striking Paxton severely on the head, and throwing him to the pit bottom in an accumulation of 8 feet of water, where his remains were afterwards found. Deceased, who was 28 years of age, has left a widow and family. [Hamilton Advertiser 20 June 1874]
18 August 1874
Blantyre – Pit Accident – About 1 o’clock on Tuesday last, James Readie, miner, Dixon’s Rows, got his leg broken above the ankle in consequence of a large quantity of coal having fallen upon him form the roof of his working place, in the soft coal seam in No 2 Pit, Blantyre Colliery. He was removed home and attended by Dr Marshall. [Hamilton Advertiser 22 August 1874]
16 September 1875
Blantyre – Fatal Accident at a Colliery – An accident occurred at the Blantyre Collieries, owned by W S Dixon & Co, yesterday, by which David Crawford, aged 28, lost his life. The deceased, along with another man, was engaged shanking No 3 pit, now in course of sinking at the above works. While removing a wooden water tank, the tackle by which it was being hoisted broke when on a level with the surface, and the tank, with Crawford in it, was precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, between 50 and 60 fathoms deep, falling into 10 fathoms of water. Assistance was procured, but when the unfortunate man was brought to the surface life was of course quite extinct. [Scotsman 17 September 1875]
15 February 1876
About 2 o’clock yesterday, a waggon shifter, named James Carroll, 53, residing at Stonefield Blantyre, was instantaneously killed while at work in No 1 Pit, Blantyre (Messrs W Dixon & Co Ltd). It seems he was engaged shifting waggons at the scree, and while in the act of coupling two waggons which were in motion, his head got jammed betwixt the buffers and was crushed to a jelly.[Herald February 16 1876]
6 December 1876
John Ward and John Grant, brushers, have been severely burned in the main seam of No. 1 pit, Blantyre Colliery (Messrs Wm. Dixon, Limited), through the explosion of a flask of gunpowder which one of them was carrying. [Scotsman 8 December 1876]
28 March 1877
Man Killed – On Wednesday, a man named William Neilson, a labourer, residing at Stonefield Blantyre, was employed along with several other men at No 4 Pit, Blantyre Colliery ( W S Dixon Ltd) unloading heavy logs of timber from a waggon, when one of them, about 22 feet long and 15 inches square, fell upon him, crushing his head and killing him on the spot. He was 26 years of age and unmarried. [Hamilton Advertiser March 31 1877]
2 May 1877
Pit Accident – At No 1 Pit, Blantyre Colliery, W S Dixon Ltd, on Wednesday, a collier named Thomas Irvine 49, was badly hurt. It seems that Irvine was engaged in the ell coal seam, when a large piece of coal, weighing about 8 cwt, came away from the face, falling upon the poor man, whereby his right leg was broken above the knee and dislocated at the knee joint. His left arm and side were severely lacerated and bruised, as well as being injured about the head. Dr Grant of Blantyre was called in, and sent the sufferer to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Hamilton Advertiser May 5 1877]
7 May 1877
Accident – On Monday, James Findlay, 15, a stone picker at Auchenraith Colliery, while “spragging” a waggon at the incline at the scree was struck on the leg by the sprag. His injuries were so severe that the limb had afterwards to be amputated. The operation was performed by Dr Grant. [Hamilton Advertiser May 12 1877]
24 May 1877
Child Killed – A sad accident happened at Auchinraith, Blantyre, on Thursday. James aged 4, son of John Shaw, engineer, was playing at the works with other two children, when he fell into the space where the endless rope used in hauling the coals to the pithead works. He was caught by the rope and drawn against a wheel. His back was broken and he only survived a few minutes after being extricated. [Hamilton Advertiser May 26 1877]
20 August 1877
Explosion of Fire Damp at Blantyre – Between 7 and 8 o’clock on Monday morning an explosion of fire-damp occurred in a pit at Blantyre colliery, by which two miners, Joseph and Andrew M’Inulty, residing at Hall Street, Dixon’s Houses, Stonefield, Blantyre, were severely burned. [Scotsman 22 August 1877]
Death of Joseph McNulty, and Injury to Francis McNulty, 21 and 16, by Explosion of Firedamp, at Blantyre Colliery, on 20th August 1877. – Report By Ralph Moore
“I descended this pit today, and examined into the circumstances. The accident happened in No. 2 pit, in the splint coal workings, The pit is about 150 fathoms deep, and the splint coal, which is between seven and eight feet in thickness, is worked by the stoop-and-room method, the pillars (stoops) being left about 20 yards square, with the view of being worked out again. The accident happened in the southern part of the workings, about 500 yards from the shaft, at a point where they have come in contact with a large off-throw dyke, and where they have commenced to remove the stoops. The deceased and his brother were engaged at this work, and about half-past seven o’clock in the morning, while they were working, a fall of roof took place in the waste close to them, which brought down some firedamp. It ignited at their naked lights and burned them both. Joseph was most severely burned, and died the same day. William Black, the fireman, states that he examined the place in the morning, and found no firedamp there. He admits, however, that on the Wednesday, the 15th, and Thursday, the 10th, he saw a little firedamp in the roof where they were working, but on none of the succeeding days. He was working within 15 yards of the place when the accident happened, and heard the fall take place: immediately afterwards the explosion took place, and the flame came towards him, but he was not burned. I think there was a vacancy in the inaccessible waste where the gas lodged, and it was brought down by the fresh fall. Black, the fireman, states that he told the oversman about the gas on the Wednesday and Thursday previous; and I think both of them have displayed some slackness in not at once providing the men with safety lamps, which is the only safeguard against discharges of gas from inaccessible falls, which cannot be swept out by the air current. In stooping operations, in this district, safety lamps are generally used, and since the accident the men working there are all provided with them, and no naked lights are permitted near the place, although there is a good current of air, and no gas visible. (signed) Ralph Moore.” Rutherglen informer, 23 August 1877.
11 September 1877
The Craighead Colliery Explosion – The exploring party engaged in the search for the bodies of Burns and M’Gill, the men who were buried at the bottom of the shaft by the explosion at Craighead Colliery on Tuesday night, continued their labours all yesterday. The water rose in the shaft on Wednesday night, and to keep it down has been a task of great difficulty. The water had to be brought up by means of the ” kettles” and it was only after it had fallen to a certain level that the pumps were available. This process went on during the greater part of yesterday, and at a late hour last night the bodies of the unfortunate men were still in the pit. The sinkers expected to reach them in the course of the night. [Scotsman 14 September 1877]
The dead bodies of Burns and M’Gill were late on Thursday night recovered from the bottom of the pit at Craighead Colliery, where the explosion occurred on Tuesday night. [Scotsman 15 September 1877]
22 October 1877
For detail on the Blantyre Pit Disaster see here.[Blantyre Project]
05 March 1878
For detail on the Blantyre Overwinding Accident see here and noted also in above featured articles. For detail relating to the Overwinding Inquiry, we have researched here.
13 January 1879
Pit Accident – On Monday morning, while a young man named Frank Wilson, residing at Stonefield, was employed in No 2 Coal Pit, belonging to Messrs Merry & Cunninghame, a fall took place from the workings, and injured him so severely that little hopes are entertained of his recovery. He was removed on Thursday to the Infirmary. Wilson’s father and two brothers were killed in the Blantyre Explosion, while a third was killed some time ago in Greenfield Colliery. [Hamilton Advertiser January 18 1879]
19 February 1879
Accidents at Blantyre Colliery – On Wednesday morning, Matthew M’Laren, 30, underground labourer, whilst engaged at the top of the “Causey” Brae, in the splint coal seam of No 2 Pit, High Blantyre Collieries, attaching a wire rope to rakes of hutches as they came up, one of the hutches ran off the rails, and coming against him, broke his right leg a little above the ankle. By order of Dr Grant, he was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In the afternoon of the same day, Michael Donnachie, 24, collier, was taking a hutch from the face in No 3 Pit, when a neighbour lost control of his hutch, which came down the incline at great speed. Donnachie was jammed between the hutches and was severely injured. [Hamilton Advertiser February 22 1879]
27 February 1879
Blantyre – Fatal Accident at Craighead Colliery – On Wednesday night, a brusher, 33 years of age, named William Black, residing at Henderson’s Buildings, Stonefield Blantyre, was killed in Craighead Colliery, Blantyre (Messrs Wm Baird & Co). He had fired a shot and was redding up, when a stone from the roof weighing 5 tons fell upon him. Death was instantaneous. [Scotsman 28 February 1879]
Fatal Accident – On Wednesday night while William Black, 36, residing at Henderson’s Buildings, Springwell, Stonefield, was employed “brushing” at Craighead Pit, belonging to Messrs Baird, a heavy fall of stones etc, took place, and killed him on the spot. Deceased leaves a widow and 5 children. [Hamilton Advertiser March 1 1879]
12 May 1879
Pit Accident at Craighead – On Monday morning James McNamara, 23, miner, Bairds’ Rows, was rather seriously injured by a fall from the roof of No 2 pit, Craighead Colliery. He was conveyed home and attended by Dr Goff. [Hamilton Advertiser May 17 1879]
7 June 1879
Pit Accident – On Saturday morning, John Fenney, 23, miner, Merry & Cunninghame’s Rows, had his left shoulder severely bruised, and his left leg broken above the ankle, by a fall from the roof of the ell coal seam of No 1 pit, Auchinraith Colliery. [Hamilton Advertiser June 14 1879]
26 June 1879
Blantyre – Accident – On Thursday night, Mary Evans, about 4 years of age, daughter of Wm Evans, miner, was severely injured, while playing underneath some standing waggons at the railway siding at No 4 pit, Blantyre Colliery. [Hamilton Advertiser June 28 1879]
02 July 1879
Dixon’s second large disaster in Blantyre. See here for more details. [Blantyre Project]
14 March 1880
The Late Fire at Blantyre Collieries – Recovery of McLean’s Body – In the fire in No. 4 Pit, Blantyre Collieries, on 14th March 1880, it will be remembered that a pony driver named Andrew McLean, twenty-one years of age, while with others attempting to put out the flames at the early stages of the burning, ran to the stables on the other side of the fire, and was never more heard of. On Tuesday afternoon, while workmen were engaged “redding”a fall from the roof near the coal face in the south side of the pit, and about 300 yards from where the fire raged they came on McLean’s dead body. There was no mark of burning about his body or clothes, and a silver verge watch found in his pocket was standing at 5:51, being about the time he was last seen. Deceased’s funeral took place yesterday. The extent of the damage to the pit may be gathered from the fact that although conducted vigorously from a short time after the fire, the operations for opening up the workings are not yet completed. [Scotsman 14th January 1881]
15 July 1881
Blantyre – Fatal Pit Accident- James Beecroft, roadsman, Auchinraith, Blantyre, has been killed in No. 1 ell coal seam pit, Auchinraith Colliery, belonging to Messrs Merry & Cuninghame, while fixing a shot. He was acting as fireman during the temporary absence of the regular fireman. [Scotsman 18th July 1881]
11 October 1882
On Saturday, in the Hamilton Sheriff Court—before Sheriff Birnie—Henry Rowan, colliery manager, Craighead Colliery, Blantyre, belonging to Messrs William Baird & Co., was charged with contravening the Coal Mines Regulation Act by having, on 11th October last, failed to see that a proper amount of ventilation to dilute and render harmless the noxious gases was produced in the ell coal seam, and in particular where Alexander Dobbins, miner, now deceased, was employed. Having pleaded not guilty, the case was adjourned for proof. A similar course was followed as regards a like charge against Wm. Young, the oversman of the pit, after an objection to the relevancy stated on behalf of accused by Mr W. T. Hay had been repelled. [Scotsman 15 January 1883] Alexander Dobbins died of burns in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Oct 13 1882
5 January 1883
Hamilton – Two Men Killed In A Mine – Two men – James Donnelly, foreman, Craighead Rows, Blantyre, and James M’Dougall, brusher, Silverwells, Bothwell, have been killed in Messrs Wm. Baird & Co.’s No. 2 Pit, Craighead colliery, in the parish of Blantyre. M’Dougall and John Murray, Burnbank, & Hamilton, who worked with the Company as brushers in the soft coal seam of the pit, had occasion to blast piece of the roof at a point about 200 fathoms from the bottom, and they had tor this purpose bored a hole three feet in depth before the New Year holiday. On their starting work on the night shift on Friday evening, Donnelly ordered them to get the hole cleared and a shot “steamed” and he would fire it for them. This having been done, Donnelly was sent for, and everything being apparently ready, he told the men present to get out of the way ,and he would fire the shot. Murray states that he had only gone about thirty yards when he heard the report of the shot, and immediately returned to the place. He found Donnelly exactly below where the shot had been fired, buried up to the breast in the rubbish while M’Dougall was nowhere to be seen. Donnelly, though still alive, made no answer when spoken to. Assistance having been procured, and Donnelly having been rescued, M’Dougall was found also underneath where the shot was fired, covered with stones, and quite dead. Donnelly survived about an hour, dying on the road to the pithead. It was found that besides internal injuries, his left arm was broken, his left leg was fractured in three places, and his right leg in two places, McDougall’s skull was knocked in. Death in his case must have been instantaneous. The supposition is that from some powder having been spilt on the match paper the shot had ignited before the unfortunate men had time to get out of the way. Donnelly. who was thirty-three years of age, leaves a widow and four young children. M’Dougall was twenty-seven, and unmarried. [Scotsman 8 January 1883]
4 April 1883
A local news report on 14th April 1883, told of the tragic passing of a young local boy working in the mining profession that week. He had sustained crushing injuries, which he could not recover from. “On Thursday, a sad accident happened in No. 2 Pit, Blantyre Collieries, belonging to William Dixon (Limited,) whereby Robert McGuire (13), trapper, residing at Windsor Street, Burnbank, received fatal injuries. Deceased’s duties consisted in opening and shutting the trap doors 73 yards apart, through which the trains of hutches wrought by an endless chain passed to and from the face. He accompanied an empty race to the face, and was instructed by Arthur Cosgrove, who ran the hutches, to return and open the doors. As Cosgrove was proceeding with a loaded train to the pit bottom—seated, as usual, on the last hutch—he heard a loud crash, and having stopped the train by signalling to the engineman at the bottom, he went forward and found that the hutches had run through the door, carrying it with them. He heard the boy calling to him, and going on a little further discovered him underneath the third hutch, his head cut and bleeding, and his right arm broken. He was carried home and attended by Drs Marshall and Loudon, but died at half-past six in the evening.” These coal hutches (for carting coal) were tremendously heavy, even when unloaded. [Ref written by Paul Veverka]
7 September 1883
Fatal Pit Accident At Blantyre – On Friday afternoon , as David M’Millan (35), miner, Lyon’s Land, Hunthill, Blantyre, was hewing coal in the splint scam of No. 2 pit, Blantyre Colliery, belonging to William Dixon (Limited), and his neighbour was putting up a prop, a fall of coal weighing about a ton came away from the face and knocked him down. He was at once released, and having been conveyed home Dr Grant found him suffering from internal injuries. He died at eight at night, leaving a widow and three of a family. [Scotsman 10 September 1883]
November 1883
A serious accident happened in No. 1 pit, Bothwell Castle Colliery, to Patrick Shirra, thirty-five, miner, Hunthill, High Blantyre. A shot exploded, injuring him severely about the head, face, and breast. He has lost the sight of one eye, and it is feared the other will also go. Dr Milroy dressed his injuries, and had the injured man sent on to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. He is not expected to survive. [Scotsman 3 November 1883]
7 December 1883
Blantyre Fatal Accidents – On Friday as William Mackie (14 1/2), pony-driver, was on his way to the face in No. 4 pit, Blantyre Collieries, to tell the men it was “corning” time, he took hold of a loose piece of coal and pulled it out, causing two stones, weighing 2 cwt., to come away from the face. He was knocked down, and falling against a sharp piece of coal on the pavement, it penetrated his skull and killed him instantaneously. On the same day, Neil M’Naught (13) was driving a horse and waggon filled with limestone along the line from Rasphole mine to the Strathaven branch of the Caledonian Railway, when he fell across the rail—it is supposed while unfastening the tail chain—and the waggon passed over him. His right leg was almost severed from his body, and the other was fractured below the ankle. Dr Grant amputated the right leg, and the lad died two hours afterwards. [Scotsman 10 December 1883]
27 & 30 May 1884
Hamilton – Fatal Results of Accidents – Joseph Louden, brusher, and William Jamieson, drawer, have died as the results of accidents on Tuesday – the first by a fall of roof in Blantyre collieries, and the other by being crushed by a runaway hutch at Gateside colliery, Cambuslang. [Scotsman 31 May 1884]
2 February 1885
Fatal Accident In A Blantyre Coal Pit – A fatal accident happened on Monday in No 1 Pit, Blantyre Colliery, to a middle aged miner named Thomas Downie, residing at Dixon’s Rows, Stonefield. He was engaged holing, when about 12 cwt of coal fell upon him, killing him instantaneously. [Scotsman 4 February 1885]
21 December 1885
Miner Precipitated Down Shaft – Yesterday as Robert Kilpatrick, 46, miner Stonefield, Blantyre, was being lowered to his work in Bothwell Castle Colliery, belonging to Messrs W Baird & Co, the cage, about 80 yards down, gave a jerk, and he was thrown from it to the bottom of the shaft, a depth of nearly 100 fathoms. The body was found lying cut in two. It is stated that the cause of the jerk was the tow rope slipping on the drum. [Scotsman 22 December 1885]
19 November 1886
Singular Pit Accident At Blantyre – Yesterday morning, a singular accident happened at No. 3 Pit, Blantyre Colliery, to Thomas Morrison (45), hostler, residing at Cemetery Walk, High Blantyre. The engineman on duty about three o’clock, when he let down the underground officials, complained of dizziness, and in lowering Morrison, about half-past four, he felt it coming on again. The cage was about forty fathoms down, and he made to shut off the steam, but fell on the floor before this was fully accomplished. When he recovered, he rushed to the lever to reverse it, when he found the upcoming cage standing at the pit mouth. Morrison was discovered by the fireman in an unconscious state at the bottom of the shaft. [Scotsman 20 November 1886]
8 November 1888
Fatal Pit Accident – On Thursday, John M’Lellan, brakesman was fatally injured at No 2 Pit, Auchinraith Colliery, Blantyre. When about to repair a bolt which had become loose, his arms caught in a pulley, and he was crushed to the ground. He only survived 3 hours. [Scotsman 10 November 1888]
17 May 1890
Mine Accidents – John Stein, contracting brusher, Stonefield Blantyre, while working at Listrick Colliery, a stone weighing several tons fell upon him, killing him instantaneously. William Sinclair, while running a race of sixteen hutches to the pit bottom in Westburn Colliery Cambuslang, was riding on the front of one when several left the rails. In leaping off Sinclair stumbled, and getting jammed between the hutches, received serious injuries, and died shortly afterwards. [Scotsman 20 May 1890]
30 January 1894
Blantyre – Serious Accident – On Tuesday afternoon, while a sinker was ascending from No 3 Pit, Priory Colliery, Blantyre, belonging to Messrs William Baird & Co., the storm being at its worst, and after the sinker had alighted from the bottom of the mine, the force of the wind overbalanced a large plank, 8ft long, 6 in broad, and 2 in thick, which fell down the shaft, a distance of 83 fathoms, striking Alexander Mackay, sinker (42), and residing at Low Blantyre Village, on the head, by which he received a nasty scalp wound and severe shock to the nervous system. Medical aid was immediately summoned, and Dr M’Pherson, Bothwell, soon arrived and had the injured man’s wounds dressed. The unfortunate man was placed in the Blantyre Ambulance waggon and conveyed to the Royal Infirmary Glasgow. Little hopes are entertained of his recovery. This is the first accident since the new colliery started. [Hamilton Herald 2 February 1894 ]
5 April 1894
Between 8 and 9 o’clock on Thursday morning Tobias M’Glinchey, 17, waggon shifter, Low Blantyre, was killed at Craighead Colliery. At the time mentioned he was standing against the buffer of a waggon, and was giving his attention to a passing passenger train. He failed in consequence to observe a waggon which was being run from the scree, and before he had time to escape, he was caught between the buffers and so severely crushed that he died in less than an hour afterwards. [Hamilton Advertiser April 7 1894]
26 February 1895
Fatal Colliery Accident at Blantyre – Thomas Beveridge, aged fifty-one, was killed yesterday morning by a fall of coal from the roof while he was employed as a brusher in the soft coal seam in Messrs Dixon & Co.’s No. 1 colliery there. [Scotsman 28 February 1895]
August 1895
The Blantyre Colliery Accident – The seven men injured in the gangway accident which took place at Messrs Dixon & Co.’s No. 4 Blantyre colliery last Thursday night continue to make progress towards recovery, with the exception of Alexander Struthers, High Blantyre, and M’Neil, Dixon’s Rows, Stonefield, both of whom seem to have sustained serious internal injuries. It is alleged that the gangway, which was this only communication between the pithead and the colliery gate, and across which the men had to walk both to and from their work, was not only thought unsafe, but as far back as two years ago was condemned by the pit-headman. [Scotsman 13 August 1895]
22 October 1895
Pit Sinking Accident At Blantyre – Two Men Killed – Late on Tuesday night the Priory Pits, in process of sinking near Blantyre Station, were the scene of a second pit-sinking accident. The sinkers had gone on to the night shift, and had sent the kettle up with a load of blunt graith. This the engineman was raising to the surface when a sudden grip was felt, and on the bow appearing at the surface it was discovered that the kettle, from some unknown cause, had got detached from the bow. The supposition is that some of the longest drills that were being sent up for repair had projected over the side of the kettle, and, coming in contact with the woodwork of the shaft, caused the sudden grip, and wrenched the kettle from the bow. A descent was made with all despatch to learn the extent of the accident, and it was found that the kettle and its contents had been precipitated down the shaft a distance of 20 fathoms. There were nine men in all at the bottom, two of whom were killed instantaneously by the falling kettle. Their names are David Lowrie, widower, residing in lodgings in Dixon Street, Blantyre, and John Hall, a stranger, who was only identified by a letter which had come from his wife that day, addressed from Coalburn, New Cumnock. Lowrie’s body was removed to his lodging, and that of Hall lies at the mortuary in the hospital at High Blantyre. The names of the other seven men are :- Francis and Thomas Keenan, brothers, Larkfield ; Joseph Parker and Francis Martin, Dixon’s Rows; Thomas Bray, Low Blantyre; James Mackay, Half-Way, Cambuslang; and Patrick Burns, Victoria Hall, Uddingston. They were attended by Drs Macpherson and Forbes, Bothwell, who found that their injuries were not of a serious nature. Of the men who were in the first accident, Burns is the only one who was in this second accident, and fortunately has again escaped. [Glasgow Herald 24 October 1895]
13 May 1896
Fatal Colliery Accident – Yesterday afternoon a young man named Andrew Burnett or Johnston, who resided at Calder Street, Blantyre, was accidentally killed while at work in Messrs Dixon & Co’s No 2 Blantyre Colliery. Deceased had been working at the face when a wall of stone and coal, over 8 feet in height, fell forward on him, death, of course, being instantaneous. [Scotsman 14 May 1896]
26 August 1897
Fatal Colliery Accident At Blantyre – Early yesterday morning, as a young man named Thomas M’Donald was removing stoops at Messrs Dixon & Co.’s No. 3 Blantyre Collieries, a fall took place from the roof, and he was severely crushed about the head. On being extricated life was extinct. [Scotsman 27 August 1897]
29 September 1897
Fatal Colliery Accidents At Blantyre – Shortly before noon yesterday, while Andrew Miller (21) was at work in the dook section of Dechmont colliery, the chain in connection with a run of hutches gave way, and the hutches left the rails, with the result that Miller’s head was jammed between the roof and the props, and when released he was dead. On Monday night there was a fall from the roof in Priory colliery Blantyre and a brusher named James M’Gregor was killed on the spot. [Scotsman 30 September 1897]
Brusher Killed At Blantyre – James M’Gregor, 28 years of age, married, and residing in Fore Row, Low Blantyre, was killed about 11.30 on Tuesday night in No. 3 Pit (the Priory), belonging to Bothwell Castle Colliery. He was engaged brushing in the ell coal seam, when a stone weighing nearly two tons fell upon him, causing instantaneous death. The body was extricated and removed home, where it was examined by Dr Wilson, who certified the spinal cord to be fractured. [Glasgow Herald 30 September 1897]
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