Dalserf Accidents

This section contains newspaper reports on selected  accidents. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for details of Inspector of Mines reports and other accidents covered on the site.

4 February 1812

On Tuesday, the 4th curt. Archibald Reid, collier at Woodside coalwork, parish of Dalserf, having reached the height of ten fathoms in ascending the coal-pit, fell from the creel, and was precipitated to the bottom. He was immediately taken up speechless, and so cut and bruised, that although medical aid was procured, he survived only 36 hours, in the greatest agony. He was a sober industrious man, and has left a wife and two infant children. [Caledonia Mercury 20 February 1812]

5 March 1859

Fatal Coal Pit Accident – On the forenoon of Saturday last, James Copely, collier, Kirkmuirhill, was killed in Woodside Coalpit in the parish of Dalserf, tenanted by Mr Hastie, coal master, by a stone falling from the roof of the pit upon him. Drs Weir and Shirlaw of Larkhall were sent for but the man was dead before they arrived. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser March 12 1859]

11 February 1863

Larkhall – Violent Death – Andrew Brown, underground foreman of the collieries belonging to R G Cooper Esq of Braehead, met last week with a sudden and violent death in Millburn pit. He had been taking a friendly smoke with two of the men, and on rising to go away, a large stone of fully two tons weight fell from the roof of the compartment in which he was, upon him, causing instantaneous death. The end of the stone rested on one of the men, named John Douglas, and broke his right leg a little above the knee and otherwise bruised him. It is consolatory to state that matters are looking favourably with him and reasonable hopes are entertained of his recovery. The funeral of Andrew Brown took place on Saturday, and was numerously attended by a wide circle of sympathising friends. He was industrious, plodding, and singularly alive to his business. By his strong sense of equity and what was due to his fellow men, he measured out justice alike to his employer and the employed, and was thus equally esteemed and respected by both. He has left a widow and a large family. [Hamilton Advertiser 21 February 1863]

5 July 1864

Pit Accident - On Tuesday morning an accident took place in No 3 coalpit, Skellyton Colliery, occupied by Messrs Hamilton and M'Culloch. While a boy named John Stirrat, 14 years of age, and residing in Larkhall, was engaged working in the pit, a piece of coal fell upon him from the face of the workings, and broke his right leg immediately above the ankle. On being conveyed to his residence he was attended to by Drs Marshall of Hamilton, and Nimmo, of Larkhall. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 July 1864]

19 August 1864

Fatal Pit Accident - A melancholy and fatal accident occurred on the evening of Friday week, in one of the pits leased from the Duke of Hamilton. It appears that while a collier named Duncan Fleming, residing in Larkhall, was employed “propping the face” in part of the underground workings, a large block of stone gave way in the roof, and fell upon him by which he was killed almost instantaneously. Deceased, who was 34 years of age, has left a widow and five of a family to lament his untimely call from their midst. [Hamilton Advertiser 27 August 1864]

25 October 1864

Larkhall - Fatal Pit Accident - A man named George Arbuckle, 25 years of age, residing at Larkhall, while working in Millburn Pit, on Tuesday last, met with an accident that proved fatal. The circumstances were as follows:- He was engaged at his regular employment about 2 o'clock, excavating a cut of coal, and, owing to a cutter running through the coal and roof, which could not be seen even by himself, a block of coal, weighing upwards of a ton, fell on him. He was relieved from his fearful position as quickly as possible, but he received such outward and internal injuries that he only lingered till 6 o'clock same evening. He was attended by Dr Nimmo, who never left him till death put an end to his sufferings. The deceased has left a wife and three children to lament his melancholy death. We understand that no blame is attached to any person. This work, which is very efficiently conducted, has been in operation for the last ten years, and this is the first death that has occurred in it. The manager, Mr Kirkwood, showed every attention, and the lessees, Messrs Hamilton and M'Culloch, kindly paid the funeral and other necessary expenses. [Hamilton Advertiser 29 October 1864]

14 November 1864

Larkhall - Pit Accident - On Monday night last, Mr Wm Syme, son of John Syme Esq, coalmaster, Marlage Colliery, in the parish of Dalserf, having gone down an old wrought-out pit, near Marlage, for the purpose of ascertaining what quantity of water was in it, and while in the act of being pulled up with men by means of a rope placed over a piece of wood and iron laid across the mouth of the pit, the friction of the lope broke the wood, which descended the pit, and struck him on the head when he was ascending, about 12 feet from the bottom, knocking him off the rope to the bottom of the pit, and cutting him severely on the head. He was also considerably bruised on other parts of the body and rendered insensible. Dr Rae, Stonehouse, was sent for, who is of opinion that, although seriously injured, Mr Sym'es life will not be endangered. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 November 1864]

19 November 1864

Larkhall - Accident - On Saturday last while a young man named John Reid was pushing a hutch in one of Messrs Smith & Tudhope's Coal pits at Woodside part of the roof fell upon him. The injuries were of such a nature that Dr Rae, Stonehouse, to whose surgical care the case was submitted, found it necessary to amputate part of one of the fingers. The hopeful state of his patient is but another laurel to the doctor's wide-spreading reputation as a skilful manipulator. [Hamilton Advertiser 26 November 1864]

13 January 1866

Larkhall – Accident – On the morning of Saturday last, an accident occurred to a collier named David Mackintosh, residing at Red Row, in the parish of Dalserf. He is employed in Over Dalserf Colliery and a quantity of the coal which he had been engaged picking, on the morning above referred to, gave way and fell upon him, causing fracture of the collar bone, cutting his head, and bruising him on several parts of his body. Dr Rae of Stonehouse attended and dressed his wounds. [Hamilton Advertiser 20 January 1866]

11 May 1866

Larkhall – Serious Accident – On Tuesday last at noon, a serious accident occurred in Skellyton Colliery, belonging to Messrs Hamilton & M'Culloch. It would appear that while a train of full hutches was coming down an incline, two of them became detached from the others. A drawer named John Wardrop, was in the act of putting upon the rails the two which had got disengaged; and having succeeded in doing so was waiting on the train coming down to them. On coming upon them it disengaged other two waggons from front, and these two, with the former two alluded to, overpowered Wardrop. Nothing can be explained as to how he received his injuries; only that he was lying across one of the hutches when it stopped. Drs Louden and Weir who attended, were of the opinion that his life was in danger. Wardrop was removed to the house of his mother, who is a widow, in a state of insensibility. [Hamilton Advertiser 12 May 1866]

NB John Wardrop died three days after this accident on 11 May 1866

12 May 1866

Larkhall – Explosion of Fire Damp – On Saturday last, an explosion of firedamp took place in Hill Colliery Dalserf, while John Harper, collier, and Alexander Scott, drawer, both residing in Larkhall, were engaged at their work. The former was burned about the arms and face and Scott was slightly burned on the back, right shoulder and left leg. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 May 1866]

29 May 1866

Larkhall – Accident At Larkhall Colliery – On Tuesday morning, an accident occurred at the pithead at Larkhall Colliery (Hamilton & M'Culloch's) whereby a boy fourteen years of age, named Wm Haddow, got his left leg broken above the knee. The accident was caused by the hutch on the top of the cage falling off. He was conveyed to his home in Drygate Street, here, and attended by Dr Weir. [Hamilton Advertiser 2 June 1866 ]

21 March 1867

Fatal Accident at Dykehead Colliery – On Thursday afternoon a lad named Robert Wilson, son of the manager of the above colliery, met with a fatal accident. The pit is the property of the Summerlee Co., and Wilson had, it would appear, been underground, and was engaged driving a a horse attached to a number of empty hutches on the main road leading to the coal face, when a large quantity of stones fell upon him from the roof, whereby he was killed on the spot. Wilson was a bottomer for the incline plane underneath; and it is sad the driving of the horse did not form part of his duty, and that at the time he should not have been in the part of the pit where the accident occurred. He had gone underground, it is believed, for the purpose of assisting the driver. Deceased, who was 15 years of age, resided with his father at Dykehead Colliery. [Hamilton Advertiser March 23 1867]

17 June 1867

Serious Accident - On Monday last, while a miner, named Christopher M’Inally, residing at Dalserf, Hamilton, was working at the face in No. 2 Pit, Woodside, belonging to Messrs Smith & Sons, he got his left leg broken above the knee joint by a quantity of coals, weighing about 12 cwts, falling on him from the face. [Dunfermline Saturday Press 22 June 1867]

18 June 1867

Fatal Accident – About 8 o'clock on the morning of Tuesday last, George Burnside, collier, residing at Simpson's Row, was working at the face in No 1 Coal Pit, Millburn, belonging to Messrs Hamilton M'Culloch & Co., coalmasters, a quantity of coals, weighing about 2 tonnes, fell on him, killing him on the spot. Deceased was 48 years of age, and has left a widow and four children. [Hamilton Advertiser June 22 1867]

Fatal Accident -On Tuesday, a fatal accident occurred in No. 1 Coal Pit, Milburn, Dalsey, whereby a miner named George Burnside, residing in Simpson's Row, Larkhall, was instantaneously killed. The deceased was engaged at the working face, when a large quantity of coal. &c, fell, burying him completely. Burnside was about forty-eight years of age. [Dunfermline Saturday Press 22 June 1867]

16 December 1867

Fatal Accident in Dykehead Coal-pit – On the afternoon of Monday last an accident occurred at the bottom of Dykehead coal-pit, whereby a lad named Richard Williams, a collier, was instantly deprived of life. Along with other five men he went on the cage for the purpose of ascending the shaft from their work. The engineman had got the signal to raise the cage, when some small pieces of coal came down the shank, making a great noise. Thinking there was something wrong in the shaft, deceased and two of the men came off the cage, but he seems to have taken another thought, and again made to get on the cage, but before he could get properly on it was lifted, and he was jammed between it and the door-head. The signal was given to the engineman to reverse his engine, which was immediately done, when it was found that the lad was quite dead. Deceased who was about 16 years of age, resided with his father at Dykehead Colliery. [Hamilton Advertiser December 21 1867]

Boy Killed in a Coal Pit - A lamentable accident occurred in Dykehead Coal-pit, in the neighbourhood of Hamilton , on Monday night, through which a boy of sixteen years, named Richard Williams, was instantly deprived of life. The men had dropped work for the day, and a party of six, including deceased, had given the engineman the signal in order to be raised to the pit month. It appears that they had no sooner got on to the cage for the purpose of ascending than they became alarmed in consequence of several small pieces of coal having with great force come suddenly down the shank. The deceased and other two of the men immediately leapt off the cage, but, after doing so, the lad seems to have taken another thought, and; while again endeavouring to get on the cage as it was being lifted, he was so dreadfully crushed between it and the door-head that life was extinct before the body was recovered. Deceased lived with his father at Dykehead colliery. [Scotsman 21 December 1867]

14 July 1870

Dalserf – Melancholy Pit Accident – On Wednesday last, a melancholy accident took place in No 2 Pit, Longlee, in the course of being sunk by the Longlee Coal Company. It appears that three brothers named Abercrombie, residing at Rosebank, were engaged in putting slides in the shaft. The rope employed to lower the slides had a D hook attached, from which depended what is termed a muzzle – something resembling a shear-hook for clasping timber. As this muzzle was being raised to the mouth of the shaft, to be refilled with slides, the pitheadman caught the tow to pull it to the side, when in some unaccountable way the muzzle became detached and fell down the shaft, a distance of some 62 fathoms, striking Alexander Abercrombie on the head and killing him on the spot. Deceased was 24 years of age, and unmarried. It was somewhat singular that in August last the deceased was severely hurt, and had a collar bone broken by a piece of timber which fell upon him in almost similar circumstances. For some time after he refused to go into a pit, but was ultimately prevailed upon, with the unfortunate result mentioned above. [Hamilton Advertiser16 July 1870]

14 October 1870

Fatal Accident – Yesterday morning, about 7 o'clock, a boy named Peter Carrol, while working in No 2 pit Swinhill, was struck with a large stone which had fallen from the roof, inflicting such injuries on his head as to cause death in a few minutes. DR Rae, surgeon to the works, was promptly in attendance, and gave it as his opinion that death had resulted from extravasation of blood on the brain. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 October 1870]

Fatal Accident – About 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, a boy named John Carrol, aged 10 years, residing in Stonehouse, while working along with his father at Swinhill Colliery, Dalserf, was killed by a quantity of coal (about half a ton weight) falling on him from the roof. Dr Rae, Stonehouse, attended. [Hamilton Advertiser 22 October 1870]

27 October 1870

Dalserf – Fatal Accident – On Thursday, while John Kelly, collier, Marladge, was engaged making a new road, about 36 fathoms down the shaft of the Marladge Pit, a large stone, weighing about a ton, fell upon him. Death was instantaneous. [Hamilton Advertiser 29 October 1870]

3 November 1870

Larkhall – Fatal Pit Accident – On Wednesday morning a boy named James Gillespie, aged 13 years, residing with his father, a collier, in Wellgate Street, Larkhall, was very suddenly deprive of life while working beside his father at the main coal face, Millburn Colliery, leased by Messrs Hamilton & McCulloch, coalmasters. The unfortunate lad was shovelling away the coal which his father had dug, when a large stone, about a ton in weight, fell from the roof, crushing him to death. Another boy, named M'Queen, had a narrow escape – the stone, in its descent having knocked off his cap. [Hamilton Advertiser 5 November 1870]

28 November 1870

Larkhall – Man Killed – An accident of a fatal character took place early on Sabbath morning at Shankston Pit. Allan M'Donald was engineman there and about 12 o'clock on Saturday evening, a brother of M'Donalds with two nephews and a man named Patrick, went to the pit, taking with them a bottle of whisky. There were two engine houses and they went into the one where the engine was not working. A short time after M'Donald went to attend to the engine which was in operation, and one or two of the men left behind having fallen asleep, it was some time before M'Donald was missed. When search was made he was found lying dead beneath the crank, his head being much bruised. It is not known exactly how he was killed. Deceased was aged 54 years, and had only left Larkhall 2 months ago, where his wife and family reside, alternative [Hamilton Advertiser 3 December 1870]

6 February 1871

Larkhall - Fatal Pit Accident - On Saturday morning about 9 o'clock, Andrew Penman, collier, Wellgate Street, Larkhall, was killed in the shaft of Cornsilloch Pit, belonging to Messrs Scott & Gilmour. He had gone down to remove his graith, having given the manager notice that he was leaving the works, and was ascending alone in the cage when the accident occurred. It is suppose that he had slipped over the side of the cage in the space left for the pumps. The body was found at the bottom dreadfully mangled, both legs being fractured, an arm broken off, and the clothes entirely torn from his body. Spencer [sic], who is 60 years of age, and unmarried, comes from the neighbourhood of Holytown. [Hamilton Advertiser [Hamilton Advertiser 11 February 1871]

14 March 1871

Larkhall - Pit Accident - On Monday at 10am, Robert Kirkland, collier, aged 26 years, residing at Croft, was killed in Cornsilloch Pit, by a mass of coal, weighing about five tons, which fell upon him at the soft coal face, where he was at work. He was almost immediately extricated, but life was quite extinct. He leaves a wife and two children. Being an esteemed and much respected member of the Good Templar Lodge, here, the brethren, in considerable numbers, accompanied by some brethren from Stonehouse, attended his funeral, according to the usage of the order. Br. Drummond, of Bellshill, conducted the simple and impressive funeral service of the order, at the grave. Much sympathy is felt for his relatives, in the sudden and severe bereavement they have sustained. There is a probability of Br Drummond delivering a funeral sermon tomorrow evening in one of the churches of the town if arrangements can be properly made. [Hamilton Advertiser 18 March 1871]

30 December 1871

Larkhall - Melancholy Pit Accident - On Thursday morning a very melancholy occurrence happened at Ashgillhead Colliery (belonging to Andrew Spencer & Co.). A boy, residing with his father at Burnhead, Dalserf, employed as a pitheadman's assistant, was engaged in removing hutches to and from the cage at the pithead, when, by some unaccountable mistake, instead of running an empty one on to the cage which was standing at the pit mouth, he ran it into the adjoining shaft, and fell with the hutch to the bottom - a distance of upwards of 70 fathoms. He was killed on the spot. Decease was only 13 years of age. [Hamilton Advertiser 30 December 1871]

19 December 1873

Frightful Pit Accident - A frightful accident occurred on Saturday morning at Merryton Colliery, near Larkhall], wrought by Messrs Cochrane & Brand. A miner named William Clark, residing in Larkhall, while engaged in effecting some repairs in the shaft of No. 1 pit, fell from the scaffolding on which he was standing, a distance of 50 fathoms, and was killed on the spot. He has left a wife and seven children. [The Dundee Courier & Argus 22 December 1873]

8 January 1874

Fatal Coal Pit Accident – About 11 o'clock on Thursday forenoon, Thomas Kyle, labourer, residing at Raploch, was killed at Millburn pit, parish of Dalserf (belonging to Mr N Cochrane, coal master). It seems that in front of the waggon scree, four loaded waggons were standing, and a fifth being filled under the “scree.” The latter required to be shifted forwards a short distance, and in order that this might be effected, it was necessary that the others should be moved. Kyle took a pinch, and placing it under the hind wheels of the foremost waggon, was in the act of levering it forward, when the second came away unexpectedly, crushing his head between the buffers. He never spoke but died in a few minutes. Kyle was 38 years of age. He had only come four weeks ago from Ireland, where he has left a wife and four children. [Hamilton Advertiser 10 January 1874]

1 April 1874

Larkhall – Fatal Pit Accident – About half past 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning, at the new Marlage Colliery, Dalserf, belonging to Messrs W Barr & Sons, a young man (18) named Andrew Reid, was engaged widening stoops, when a large quantity of coal weighing between two and three tons, came away from the roof inflicting such severe injuries on his spine and other parts of his body that he died in about 5 hours afterwards. [Hamilton Advertiser 4 April 1874]

30 June 1874

Larkhall – Serious Explosion of Fire damp – A serious explosion of fire damp took place on Tuesday last, at No 3 Pit, Ashgill Colliery, wrought by Mr And. Spencer. John Finlayson, who was fireman in the main coal seam, having observed indications of the presence of foul air at a place where a few stoops had been taken out, it was thought proper to put in a length of bratticing. On account of the men being, Finlayson got Andrew Forrest, who works an engine underground, to assist him. It appeared that when the two men got the work finished, the air forced into the waste caused the fire-damp to come on to the return airway, overtaking both Forrest and Finlayson before they could escape beyond the reach of danger, and produced an alarming explosion. Forrest was killed instantaneously, and Finlayson had his leg broken in two places, and was seriously burned about the face and arms. Forrest was a young unmarried man, about twenty-two years of age. [Hamilton Advertiser 4 July 1874]

16 July 1874

Larkhall – Fatal Accident at Longlee Colliery – On Tuesday morning, a serious accident happened to George Smith, bottomer, in Longlee Colliery, belonging to the Lesmahagow and Longlee Colliery Company. It appears that Smith was working at the pit bottom in the soft coal seam of No 2 Pit, where some empty hutches were being conveyed from the pit head to the pit bottom, the cage always returning empty to the pit head. The oversman had taken off a hutch and signalled for the empty cage to be raised, Smith, who had only commenced to work on Saturday, having been previously warned not to cross while the cages were revolving. Although nothing positive is known, it is surmised that he must have failed to attend to this caution, as after the cage had given a sudden jerk, the poor fellow was seen falling from the doorheads – a distance of eight feet. He was conveyed to his residence at Red Row, Dalserf, but death ensued about two hours after the accident. He has left a widow and three children. [Hamilton Advertiser 18 July 1874]

17 October 1874

Larkhall – Serious Accident at Aultonhill Colliery – A rather serious accident happened on Saturday to Wm Kerr, miner, residing at Ashgillhead. He had been engaged along with some others, in taking out props in Aultonhill Colliery (Spencer's), when a large quantity of coal, weighing about 2 tons, fell on him from the roof, fracturing both his legs at the thighs, and otherwise bruising him severely. [Hamilton Advertiser 24 October 1874]

28 November 1874

Shocking Accident at Cornsilloch Railway Siding -On Saturday night, a shocking accident occurred on the Lesmahagow branch of the Caledonian Railway, near Larkhall, whereby John Kellochan, miner, Stonehouse, was killed and another miner named George Gordon, residing at Howlethole, Dalserf, was seriously injured. It is supposed that the two men had been drinking together, and had about six o'clock wandered unobserved on to the railway line at Cornsilloch Colliery siding, about 100 yards from Ayr Road Station, where they fell asleep. The passenger train from Stonehouse, it appears, has to shunt at this siding till the Lesmahagow train comes forward. While this was done a cry of distress was raised, and on the train being stopped it was found that Kellochan and Gordon had been run over. From the position in which they were discovered, it is surmised that Kellochan must have lain forward, face downwards across the rails, his head being cut in two as if the wheels of the carriage had passed over it. When taken up he was, of course, quite dead. Gordon's body was free from the rails, but his arms being extended one was very badly injured, and the hand of the other was so fearfully mutilated that the work of amputation had to be subsequently performed by Drs Mackenzie, Stewart and Rae. Gordon was also severely cut and bruised about the head and face. Kellochan, who was fifty years of age, has left a wife and large family. [Hamilton Advertiser 5 December 1874]

11 February 1875

Larkhall - Fatal Coal Pit Accident - On Saturday a boy of 14 years, named James Barr, residing at Greenhill, Dalserf, died from the effects of an accident which occurred two days before at Woodside Colliery (Smith & Sons). He had been in charge of six full waggons of coal which were being drawn to the pit bottom, when he was thrown from the hutch on which he was sitting and jammed between the hutch and one of the pit props. His leg and right arm were fractured and other injuries was sustained. [Glasgow Herald 16 February 1875]

15 February 1876

About 12 o'clock yesterday, Robert Rae, 54, collier, residing at St David's Place, Macneill St, Larkhall, was employed taking out coal stoops in the splint seam in Ashgill pit, Dalserf, belonging to Mr Andrew Spenser, coalmaster, when the support gave way killing him on the spot.[Herald February 16 1876]

12 December 1876

Larkhall - Fatal Accident - On Tuesday, while James Sweeny, collier, Raploch Street, Larkhall, was engaged with three companions taking out wooden props in one of the pits at Dykehead Colliery, the property of the Summerlee Iron & Coal Coy., a stone weighing about 50 cwts gave way from the roof and fell on his back, killing him instantaneously. Sweeny, who was only 24 years of age, has left a wife and one child. [Hamilton Advertiser 16 December 1876]

16 April 1877

Accident – On Monday Robert Neilson, 13, a pony driver, M'Neil St, Larkhall, was at the face of No1 Pit, Cornsilloch (Neil Cochrane & Co) when a shot was being fired. He was told to keep back, but a piece of coal struck him on the right leg, breaking it above the knee. [Hamilton Advertiser April 21 1877]

9 May 1877

Pit Accident - On Wednesday, John Semple, 18, a drawer in No 3 Pit, Ashgill Colliery, jumped onto a hutch that was being drawn by an engine to the pit bottom. The hutch left the rails and Semples left leg getting jammed against a prop was broken above the knee. He was attended by Dr Stewart. [Hamilton Advertiser May 12 1877]

11 June 1877

Boy Killed in Mine – A boy named George Hamilton, son of James Hamilton, engineer at Machan, Dalserf, was on Monday forenoon killed in a pit at Broomhill Colliery, belonging to D McNaughton & Co. He was a drawer, and while at the face, a large stone, weighing about 10 cwt., fell upon him, depriving him instantaneously of life. [Hamilton Advertiser June 16 1877]

29 August 1882

Larkhall – Fatal Accident – On Tuesday, James Robertson, 26, miner, High Picasante, lost his life in one of the pits at Millburn Colliery, by a piece of coal weighing from one to two tons falling upon him while drawing stoops. His brother William, who was working along with him, escaped. [Hamilton Advertiser 2 September 1882]

21 November 1882

An accident of a terrible character happened on Tuesday afternoon at Bog colliery, near Larkhall, belonging to Messrs James Hamilton & Co., by which Daniel Gardiner (42), miner, 11 Church Street, Larkhall, and Robert Nesbit (19), miner, 65 Miller Street, Larkhall, were instantaneously killed. Having finished their work for the day, the deceased were being wound up the pit shaft in the cage. The tow rope is of steel, strongly rivetted to a clasp, to which the cage is attached, and the depth of the pit is about 110 fathoms. When midway in the shaft the tow rope suddenly overlapped and left the revolving drum, causing the cage to drop a distance of 36 feet, the jerk being so violent as to draw the rope from the clasp through nearly a dozen rivets. The cage and its occupants were dashed to the bottom, some forty fathoms down. Gardiner was so dreadfully mangled that his remains had to be gathered together, while Nesbit's right arm was wrenched off, and the cage was smashed, The tow rope was duly examined by the pithead-man in the morning, and found all right. It is quite new, having only been eight months in use; but, according to the engineman, it has not been working properly from overlapping for a few days. [Scotsman 23rd November 1882]

FATAL PIT ACCIDENT AT LARKHALL - TWO MEN KILLED - On Tuesday an accident happened at Bog Colliery, Larkhall, by which two miners, Samuel Gardner and Robert Nesbit, were killed. The deceased, having ceased work, were being wound-up the pit shaft, and were about fifty-five fathoms from the bottom, when the rope suddenly overlapped the drum, giving the cage a drop of thirty-six feet. The jerk drew the rope out of the iron clasp, and the cage fell forty fathoms farther. The men were instantaneously killed, and the cage smashed. The engineman says that the tows have overlapped for a day or two. [The Dundee Courier & Argus 23 November 1882]

10 November 1883

At the Hill Colliery, Dalserf, on Saturday, a miner named James Inglis was severely injured by a fall of stone from the roof of the pit. [Scotsman 12 November 1883]

31 March 1884

Larkhall – Fatal Colliery Accident – A shocking accident, attended with fatal results, occurred shortly before 10 o'clock on Monday morning at Cornsilloch Colliery, near Larkhall, to a boy named James Galloway, 14 years old, residing at Raploch Street, Larkhall. He was employed as a screen boy, and had loosened the snibble of a waggon to allow it to run below the screen, when the waggon came away unexpectedly and crushed his head against the buffer of another waggon. Death was instantaneous. [Hamilton Advertiser 5 April 1884]

20 August 1884

Larkhall – Serious Pit Accident - Yesterday afternoon, whilst working at the coal face at Swinhill Colliery, near Larkhall, a large stone fell from the roof of the mine. A miner named Richard Poland was badly crushed about the head. [Scotsman 21 August 1884]

18 November 1884

Larkhall – Fatal Accident – On Tuesday forenoon, a miner named Wm Moffat (25) residing at Church Street, here, was killed in Bog Colliery, the property of Messrs Hamilton, M'Culloch & Co. The deceased was working at the coal face in a reclining position, when a large stone, weighing about 4cwt, came away from the roof and fell on his head and neck. When got out his head was very much crushed, and death must have been instantaneous. [Hamilton Advertiser 22 November 1884]

23 December 1884

Yesterday afternoon, a miner named James Morton was seriously injured whilst at work in Dykehead Colliery, Larkhall, through a large quantity of material coming away from the roof and burying him underneath it. [Scotsman 24 December 1884]

23 December 1884

Larkhall – Coal Pit On Fire – On Wednesday morning, Ashgill Colliery, the property of Messrs Brand 7 Co, was discovered to be on fire. Archibald Wood, the fireman, was found dead, having been suffocated by the choke damp while going his rounds; and another fireman nearly succumbed in getting out his companion. In searching for the cause of the stoppage of air, it was found that a large area of coal was on fire. Steps are being taken to extinguish the flames, but some time must elapse before this can be done. Work has had to be suspended at the colliery, where a large number of men were employed. [Hamilton Advertiser 27 December 1884]

27 March 1885

Accident At A Colliery - Yesterday a lad named Stevenson received serious injuries at Dykehead colliery, near Larkhall. While he and other two lads were riding on a hutch down a gangway, the scaffolding gave way, and a heavy chain attached to the hutch struck Stevenson on the head. It is feared that his injuries will prove fatal. [Scotsman 28 March 1885]

6 April 1885

Pit Accident At Larkhall – Yesterday afternoon, John Fallon, 17, residing at Raploch Street, Larkhall, was severely injured at Quarter Colliery. Fallon was working at the coal face when a large stone fell from the roof inflicting severe injuries about his head and limbs. [Scotsman 7 April 1885]

12 May 1885

Fatal Boiler Explosion Near Larkhall - Yesterday afternoon an alarming accident took place at Auldton colliery, about two miles from Larkhall, the property of Brand & Co. About four o'clock one of the four boilers at the pithead exploded, killing one man on the spot, and injuring five others, one of them dangerously. A horse belonging to the company was also killed. Pieces of the boiler were thrown a distance of five hundred yards, and the pithead erections, framework and railway waggons in the sidings were wrecked. At the time of the explosion the men were being drawn from the pit at the close of their day's work, and those still remaining underground were safely got out by the shaft at Ashgill colliery, which is connected, and which belongs to the same proprietors. The colliery adjoins the Lesmahagow branch of the Caledonian railway, along which a passenger passed only a few minutes before, and the telegraph wires at the side of the line were struck and broken. The roof of a small house on the opposite side of the railway was also knocked in, and other damage done. The police have reported the occurrence to the Fiscal at Hamilton, and the manager of the colliery has reported to the Inspector of Mines, both of whom will conduct inquiries. The man killed is James M'Cue (36), miner, lodging at Drygate, Larkhall. He was at the pit looking for work, and standing near the boilers when the explosion took place. The injured are - John Currie (19), screenman, Rosebank - left thigh hurt; Richard Stockdale (40), miner, Hill Street, Larkhall - left arm broken and head cut, was also at colliery looking for work ; John Thomson, assistant pithead man, and William Stewart, fireman - shock. Mr Gardiner, manager, who was in the vicinity, has also sustained a severe shock. Excepting Stockdale, whose case is occasioning apprehension, the injured are doing well. [Scotsman 13 May 1885]

26 November 1885

Fatal Pit Accident -Yesterday afternoon a young man named William, Davis, residing at Meadowhill, Larkhall, was killed in Bog colliery, near Larkhall. Whilst working in the pit, a stone fell from the roof and killed him almost instantaneously. [Scotsman 27 November 1885]

24 December 1885

Fatal Accident – On Thursday morning, Thomas Thomson, residing at Rosebank, was fatally injured at Woodside Colliery, near Larkhall. He was working at a stone underground, when the prop gave way and struck him with great force on the head, killing him instantaneously. Deceased was lately one of the lessees at a quarry in the district, and was well known and much respected in the parish. [Hamilton Advertiser December 26 1885]

15 March 1886

Pit Explosion – On Monday forenoon, two men named Andrew McCulloch, oversman, and George Munro, fireman, were injured by an explosion of fire-damp at Ashgill Colliery, near Larkhall. They were employed clearing out an accumulation of gas in a part of the workings, leaving their lamps a short distance from the place. The gas came in contact with the lights and caused an explosion, burning the men severely about the face and arms. [Hamilton Advertiser March 20 1886]

26 July 1887

Larkhall – Pit Accident – On Tuesday a young man named Richard Martin had his arm badly injured at Bog Colliery, near Larkhall. He was engaged shunting some waggons when his arm got jammed between the buffers of two waggons. Drs Lyon and M'Kenzie were in attendance and found that Martin's arm was so much shattered that it was necessary to amputate it. [Hamilton Advertiser July 30 1887]

10 July 1889

Larkhall - Fatal Accident - About 6 o'clock on Wednesday night, Robert Adams, 27 years of age, residing in Larkhall, was killed in Merryton Colliery, near Larkhall. He was pushing a loaded hutch up an incline, and lost power over it. It is supposed that he got doubled up under the hutch. When extricated he was quite dead, his neck having been broken. [Hamilton Advertiser 13 July 1889]

13 July 1889

Shocking Colliery Accident - About nine o'clock on Saturday night, John O'Donnell, roadsman, was killed by falling down the shaft of No. 1 pit, Bog colliery, Larkhall The unfortunate man fell on the cage at the pit bottom and was very much mangled. He leaves a wife and family. [Scotsman 16 July 1889]

7 October 1889

Explosion Of Fire Damp – Seven Men Injured - Yesterday morning an explosion of fire damp occurred at Bog Colliery, near Larkhall, the property of Messrs Hamilton M'Culloch, & Co. The explosion, which was happily unattended with loss of life, took place about 6.45am. in the level section of the main coal. Gas accumulated very rapidly throughout the pit workings and in several of the seams the men did not go to work, and in the section where the explosion took place, there appears to have been some doubt about its safety, as the men remained at the platform or waiting place after the time was up for beginning work. A few, however, started at their working places, and in about 3 minutes after they had gone, a loud report was heard, and the fizzing sound peculiar to firedamp. One man was thrown from his seat and received a bad wound on the head, and several others on the main road were knocked down by the force of the explosion. The names of those severely burned are:- William Bruce and James Bruce, brothers, residing in Drygate Street; Joseph Reid, Pleasance; Peter Cairns, Wellgate Street; Andrew Graham, Meadowhill; and George and James Sharp, London Street, Larkhall. The injured men were conveyed home in the ambulance waggon, and medical assistance immediately procured. [Scotsman 8 October 1889]

22 June 1891

Fatal Pit Accident – Yesterday a man named Thomas Cairns, age 22, was fatally injured at Merryton Colliery, near Larkhall. He was working at the coal face along with his father, and just a few minutes after they had commenced work a large stone fell from the roof and killed the young man. [Scotsman 23 June 1891]

15 January 1892

Larkhall – Fatal Accident – Yesterday a young man named Wm Williamson, son of Robert Williamson, residing at Machan Brickwork, was killed at Machan Colliery (Messrs Howie & Train's). He was at work at the pithead repairing the drum of the winding engine when it fell on his head and he expired in a few minutes. [Hamilton Advertiser 16 January 1892]

20 January 1894

Larkhall - Fatal Accident - About 11 o'clock on Saturday forenoon, an accident, which terminated fatally, occurred at Summerlee Colliery, to John Barnes (38), miner, residing at Church Street. He was working at the face in the main coal seam, when a large stone came away from the roof, falling on his body. He was released as soon as possible, and taken to his home, where Dr M'Kenzie attended, but the unfortunate man died early on Sunday morning from his injuries. [Hamilton Advertiser 27 January 1894]

25 June 1894

On Monday, Charles Laird, miner, Meadowhill, Larkhall, was killed in Bog Colliery by a fall from the roof. A fellow workman who heard the noise cried to Laird, and getting no answer he went round the stone and found Laird's lifeless body. Deceased leaves a wife and young family. [Hamilton Advertiser 30 June 1894]

27 June 1894

A melancholy occurrence, resulting in the death of three men, took place on Wednesday night, shortly after 9 o'clock, at Home Farm Colliery, near Larkhall, belonging to Messrs Hamilton, M'Culloch & Co. Edward Brannan, aged 30, residing at Home Farm Rows; Wm. Stevenson, 22, residing at Hamilton Street, Larkhall; and Matthew Corbett, whose residence is not known, were engaged in repairing the pit shaft and putting in new cage slides at No 2 Pit. They were lowered by the winding engine in the usual way to the main coal seam, a distance of 60 fathoms. At this point a scaffold was hanging for the purpose of doing the repairs on the shaft leading to the Virtuewell seam. The scaffold is raised and lowered by means of a steel wire rope attached to a hand crane at the surface; and when the signal was given by the three men to raise the scaffold it appears that the two men on the pithead in charge of the crane found some difficulty in working it, and it is supposed that the crane got out of gear. The scaffold and men were dropped to the bottom of the pit, a distance of 240 feet. The three men were instantaneously killed, Stevenson's body being very much mangled. Brannan was married, and leaves a widow and five children. Corbett is supposed to be married also. Stevenson, who is the third son of the late Mr John Stevenson, teacher, is unmarried. He is to be interred in Larkhall Cemetery on Saturday at three o'clock, and the funeral is public. The news of the accident caused a painful sensation in the town. [Hamilton Advertiser 30 June 1894]

16 February 1895

Pit Accident at Larkhall - On Saturday morning an accident occurred at Bog colliery, Larkhall , whereby a boy named David Woods lost his life. He was taking a "rake" of loaded hutches from the face.,and appears to have been seated on the front hutch, when he overbalanced and fell in front, the hutches passing over him. [Scotsman 18 February 1895]

19 August 1895

Pit Accident at Larkhall - Yesterday morning a fatal accident occurred at the Station Pit, Larkhall, which resulted in the death of a miner named James Stewart. The engineman belled stopping time for the night-shift and let down the cage to the Virtuewell seam. There being no bottomer, Stewart attempted to put the empty hutch off the cage, when the engine moved and caused him to fall forward . He was jammed between the cage and the side of the pit, and was drawn to within five fathoms of the pit bank. [Scotsman 20 August 1895]

1 October 1895

Larkhall Pit Accident – Yesterday morning an elderly man named David Barrie, Larkhall, met with an accident while at work in Sunnyside Colliery near Larkhall. He was working at the coal face, when a large stone fell from the roof, breaking Barries leg at the thigh and bruising his side. He was taken home in a cart, and attended to, after which he was removed to the Royal Infirmary in an ambulance waggon. [Herald, October 2 1895]

20 February 1896

Yesterday morning two men named Robert Cook (19) and John White were badly burned by an explosion of fire damp while working in the Drumgray seam at Fairholm Colliery, Larkhall. [Scotsman 21 February 1896]

27 April 1896

Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday afternoon an accident occurred at Fairholm colliery , belonging to the Hamilton Colliery Company, to Gavin Winning (18), waggon shunter. He was bringing waggons to the pithead, and had managed to "snibble" the first one, but in attempting to put the brake on the second he fell on the rails, the waggon passing over both his legs and right arm, nearly severing them. He was removed in the ambulance waggon to the infirmary, but died on the way. [Scotsman 28 April 1896]

16 September 1896

Burning Accident at Larkhall—On Wednesday evening two men, named William Rae and R. Cummings, were severely burned while working in No. 3 pit, Cornsilloch Collieries. Both were working at the face when their lights kindled gas that had been lying around, with the result that both the men were burned. All the upper part of Rae's body is severely scorched, while the arms and face of Cummings are the worst. [Scotsman 18 September 1896]

William Rae who resided at Dalserf, one of the two men injured by the explosion of fire damp in No 3 pit, Cornsilloch collieries, Larkhall, has died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 25 September 1896]

27 December 1897

Sudden Death in a Pit – On Monday afternoon, about 2 o'clock, a man named James Watson, 49, residing at Avonview Larkhall, died suddenly in Home Farm Colliery. While working in the splint coal seam he took ill and was advised by some of his fellow workers to go home. He was doing so, and about 60 yards from the pit bottom fell forward and expired, death being due to failure of the hearts action.[Hamilton Advertiser January 1 1898]

15 December 1900

Larkhall - Serious Pit Accident - On Saturday forenoon a serious accident occurred at Avondale Colliery, near Larkhall, belonging to James Nimmo & Co, whereby a miner named Wm Cairns, residing at Shawsburn, Larkhall, was seriously injured. He had prepared a charge of gelatine, when it prematurely went off and Cairns received a compound fracture of the thigh and injury to his eyesight. Dr Morrison was in attendance and the injured man was removed to the infirmary.[Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 22 December 1900]