Accidents 1876- 1899

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.

14 February 1876

Fatal Colliery Accidents in Lanarkshire - On Monday night, about 10 minutes to 11 o'clock, two roadsmen, named Thomas Twaddle, aged 37 and John McKeever, aged 22, residing at Haughhead Colliery Hamilton, were employed in No 1 Pit Haughhead belonging to Messrs Merry & Cunninghame. They were engaged repairing and strengthening the roof in the main road by removing old trees or supports and replacing them with new ones, when a piece of the roof about 9 tons in weight gave way, burying them in the debris. Twaddle was killed instantaneously, and McKeever was so severely injured that he only survived for about 10 minutes afterwards. [Herald February 16 1876]

29 March 1876

Coal pit accident near Hamilton – One Man Killed and Three Injured - A dreadful accident happened yesterday afternoon at Allanshaw Colliery, Hamilton, belonging to Messrs Sneddon & Co. Four men were engaged, at a depth of 70 fathoms, sinking anew shaft, when the spring “dog” by which the “kettle” is attached to the winding rope snapped. The kettle at that moment was filled with stones and raised to within 3 feet of the top with its contents, and weighed nearly three quarters of a ton. The pit being a round one, the men had no warning, even if there had been room for them to get out of the way of the mass which was precipitated upon them. One of their number, James Paterson, about 36 years of age, was killed on the spot, receiving a fatal wound on the head, while his left leg above the ankle was nearly cut through. He lived at Millheugh Larkhall and left a widow and 5 of a family. Other three men were injured – David Wilson Young St, Hamilton, most severely his foot being badly smashed and his head cut. Anthony Strain, Quarry Road, Hamilton, was cut on the head and received severe bruises on the arm and leg. James Dunn, Hope St, Hamilton, escaped with trifling injuries about the head. The three injured men were also married. [Herald March 30 1876]

24 July 1876

Hamilton – Fatal Pit Accident at a Colliery - A fearful accident happened about 2 o'clock yesterday morning at No 1 Pit, Allanshaw Colliery, Hamilton to David Dunn, foreman sinker, 12 Leechlee St, Hamilton. The water at the pit having decreased much, it was resolved to take out the pipes. Deceased was standing on a plank, about 10 inches broad, fixed into the sides of the shaft, nearly 10 feet from the pit mouth, in the act of unscrewing one of the nuts in the first joint in the pipe, when the screw key slipped, and he lost his balance, and fell to the bottom, 60 fathoms below. The bottom was flooded with about 7 feet of water, and coupling hooks had to be used in the recovery of the body, which was found to have been cut through the middle. [Herald July 25th 1876]

December 1876

Explosion of Fire-Damp Near Hamilton – Cadzow Colliery on Fire - An explosion of firedamp of a most alarming nature took place at Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton , on Saturday morning. The colliery is being opened by the Cadzow Colliery Company , and when in full operation it will, it is said, be the largest in Scotland. No. 1 pit has been sunk past the main coal to the splint, and it was here that the explosion occurred. At that time three men were engaged preparing- a stage or seat for the cage at the splint coals seam. In the course of their operations a large blower " of gas burst from a fissure in the coal, and was at once ignited by the lights carried by the men. They set themselves without delay to suppress the flame, but finding this impossible , they communicated the occurrence to the manager, Mr Smith. In spite of the measures which that gentleman instantly took, the flames were not subdued, and the rush of gas continuing with increased force, the expedient of closing the whole of the shafts of the colliery and damping out the fire had at last to be resorted to. For this end a large staff of workmen were engaged on Saturday and yesterday. The engine-houses, offices, and pit surroundings are charged with gas, and as a precautionary measure, entrance to them has been stopped by means of barricades , and the public have been prevented from approaching too near by patrols of the county police. Mr Ralph Moore, inspector of mines, visited the scene of the accident on Saturday, and was again on the ground yesterday. We understand no blame is attachable to anyone, and that all concerned deserve credit for the way in which they have conducted themselves. It is believed that several weeks will elapse before the working operations can be again commenced at the colliery. Meanwhile a large number of men will be thrown out of employment. [Scotsman 11 December 1876]

8 January 1877

Miner killed near Hamilton - Yesterday Thomas Docherty, miner 20, son of Thomas Docherty, Burnbank Hamilton was killed in No 1 Pit Greenfield Colliery near Hamilton. While blasting at the face, he had put in a charge of powder, and was waiting till it should explode. Thinking it was a long time in going off he went forward to make an examination, but as he approached the charge exploded, killing him on the spot. [Evening Times Jan 9 1877]

Miner Killed at Greenfield Colliery – On Monday afternoon a fatal accident happened at Greenfield Colliery (Hamilton Coal Coy.) to a miner named Thomas Docherty jun, 20 years of age, who resided with his father, also a miner, at Burnbank, Hamilton. Docherty was blasting at the face, and after charging and firing a shot,it did not go off. He waited for some time, and then proceeded to the face again and commenced digging out the charge with his pick. He failed to accomplish this, and after an interval, during which he took his dinner, he started to “peel” the coal. He worked away for some time, when unexpectedly a fall of upwards of 4 tons came away from the roof, burying him in the debris. His companions made all expedition to extricate him, but this was a matter of great difficulty, as no less than 9 hutchfulls of coal had to be removed before he was got out. It was then found that life was extinct. [Hamilton Advertiser January 13 1877]

14 January 1877

Firedamp Explosion at Backmuir Colliery – One Man Killed and Another Injured – We regret to record a melancholy and fatal explosion of firedamp on Sunday last in No 2 Pit Backmuir Colliery (Clyde Coal Coy) by which David Berry, oversman, residing at Burnbank, was instantaneously deprived of life and William Clark fireman, residing at Greenfield, was severely burned. It appears that during the week operations had been going on in the pit which necessitated an alteration in the air course. About noon on Sunday, Berry and Clark were engaged putting up a trapdoor, when the latter incautiously approached the face with a naked lamp. There a small quantity of gas had accumulated and immediately exploded. A brick brattice was thrown down by the force of the explosion and its contents scattered about. Berry was struck on the head, and receiving a terrible wound he was killed on the spot. Clark was much burned about the face and hands, but he is recovering. Berry leaves a widow and a family of seven. He was 38 years of age. [Hamilton Advertiser January 20 1877]

17 February 1877

Accident to a Limestone Miner – On Saturday, John Hunter, 28, a limestone miner, residing in McAlpines Buildings, Hamilton, was working in Dykehead Limestone Pit (Ure & Sons) when about 2 cwts of fire clay fell from the roof and broke his left leg below the knee. [Hamilton Advertiser February 24 1877]

17 February 1877

Fatal Colliery Accident – On Saturday, William Mitchell, miner, Marshall St, Larkhall, met with an accident in Summerlee Coal Pit, situated at Dykehead, the property of the Summerlee Iron & Coal Co., which had a fatal termination. He was working at the face when a large stone, weighing 10 cwt., gave way from the roof, and fell upon his back. His spine was badly hurt, and his left leg broken in two places above the ankle. He also suffered a number of internal injuries. He was conveyed home to Larkhall but only survived two hours. Deceased, who was 22 years old, leaves a widow near her confinement. [Hamilton Advertiser February 24 1877]

5 March 1877

Pit Accident – On Monday, Arch. Faulds, miner, Dykehead, was at work at the face in Summerlee Pit Dykehead, when a large stone weighing about two cwt., fell from the roof striking him on the back of the head which was severely cut. [Hamilton Advertiser March 10 1877]

13 April 1877

Yesterday morning an explosion of fire-damp, attended by serious consequences, occurred in the ell workings of No. 1 Allanton Colliery, belonging to Messrs Austine & Co. The miners began to descend the pit at the usual hours, and at half-past six nearly 60 were below, and preparing to begin work. One of their number, James Teevie, proceeded along the ell working, and pushed himself through an opening into a disused working, carrying his naked lamp with him. A small quantity of gas would appear to have accumulated in the old working, and this becoming ignited, a slight explosion ensued. The mine outside is “geared” with wood, and the timber was set fire to. The flames rapidly spread, and in a short time assumed most alarming proportions. Intelligence of what occurred was at once conveyed to the surface, and the whole of the men were rescued alive with the exception of one named John McManus, who had been overcome by the smoke, and died from suffocation. When taken out of the pit it was found that Teevie had sustained severe burns on the hands and face. A fire extinguisher is kept at the colliery, and on a previous occasion did good service. Unfortunately, it was now found to be out of order. Other means for subduing the flames were improvised, and in about an hour and a half's time the fire was completely got under. [Scotsman 14 April 1877]

Alleged culpable homicide - On 13 April last there was an explosion of fire damp at Allanton colliery, in connection with which an old man lost his life by suffocation. In connection with the affair, on Saturday a collier residing at Allanton, named James Teevan, was taken before Sheriff Birnie, and after undergoing judicial examination, committed to prison on a charge of culpable homicide or culpable neglect of duty. It is alleged that Teevan entered with his naked lamp an old working, and that the explosion immediately followed.[Scotsman 4 June 1877]

June 1877

The Fire At Cadzow Colliery – The operations in connection with the filling up of the shafts at No. 1 and 3 pits to smother the fire were energetically pressed forward during Wednesday night, and yesterday morning they were concluded. The shafts were then filled up to a distance of five fathoms above the door heads. Mr Hamilton Smith, the manager, and a fireman made the descent of No. 2 pit, and satisfied themselves that there was no burning there. Before twelve o'clock, however, gas had forced its way through from the splint coal to the ell seam, setting it on fire, and finding vent in a series of explosions in No. 3 pit, one of which blew off the roof of the fan house, fifty yards distant. . As soon as these explosions began, gangs of men were set to seal the month of the pit. This was done by boarding the mouth, of the shaft, and claying it over. This operation was carried on betwixt the explosions, at the peril of the lives of the men engaged in it. One fireman named Adam Murray got his arm broken. No further explosion occurred after half-past three, and the pit was last night completely sealed up. The fire below still rages, and it would be difficult to hazard a guess when operations at the colliery can be resumed.[28 June 1877]

19 March 1878

On Tuesday a miner named John Chapelton was killed at No 1 pit, Dykehead, belonging to the Summerlee Iron and Coal Company. The cage came down the shaft while he was in the act of crossing the bottom, breaking his spine. [Scotsman 21 March 1878]

2 December 1878

John M'Iver, blacksmith, Haughhead Colliery, has died from injuries acused by a piece of coal falling on him in a pit a fortnight ago. [Scotsman 17 December 1878]

18 December 1878

Pit Accident – On Saturday last, John Gray, pony driver, Burnbank, was found seriously injured about the head 800 yards from the pit bottom of No 2 Pit, Backmuir Colliery. It is not known how he met with the injuries, but it is supposed that while in the act of taking the tail chain from a number of hutches, he had got knocked over and trampled upon by the pony. [Hamilton Advertiser January 4 1879]

31 January 1879

Fatal Accident at Haughhead Colliery - Yesterday afternoon a melancholy and fatal accident happened at Haughhead Colliery, belonging to Mr John Macdonald. Charles Hassin, miner, and his son were working at the face, and while “holing” underneath the wall, a large mass of coal came away without warning, burying them underneath. Prompt measures were exerted to extricate them. The son died immediately after being brought to the pit head, and it was found that the father was severely injured about the face, head, and lower extremities. Dr Marshall had arrived at the pithead before the bodies were brought to the surface, and did all that could be done for the survivor. With care and attention Hassin is expected to survive. [Hamilton Advertiser 1 February 1879]

Fatal Colliery Accident - A fatal accident happened yesterday at Haughhead Colliery, near Hamilton, belonging to Mr John M'Donald. Charles Hassin, miner, and his son were holing underneath the face, when, without warning, a large mass of coal came away, burying them underneath. They were dug out as quickly as possible. The son died immediately on being taken to the pit head, and the father was found to be severely injured about the face and lower extremities. Dr Marshall, Hamilton, who had arrived before the bodies were brought to the surface, is of opinion that the elder Hassin will recover. [Glasgow Herald 1 February 1879]

4 February 1879

Fatal Pit Accident at Greenfield – On Tuesday afternoon a fatal accident occurred from a fall from the roof in No 2 Pit, Greenfield Colliery. James Johnstone, 25, was at work in the ell coal seam removing props, when a piece of rock weighing about 13 cwt., came away from the roof and fell on his back and legs. John M'Lusky, his neighbour, with the assistance of other miners, had him extricated and removed to his home in Greenfield Rows. Dr Marshall was sent for, but the poor man was dead before he arrived. He leaves a wife and two of a family. [Hamilton Advertiser 8 February 1879]

10 February 1879

Accident at Allanshaw Colliery – On Monday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, Jas. Brownlie, engineer, was preparing a place for a pulley on the pithead at Allanshaw Colliery. He was standing on the lower platform and unwittingly moved his head over the brink of the shaft at the time the cage was being lowered down the pit from the upper platform, which is about 15 feet above where Brownlie was. The cage coming into contact with the back of his head inflicted two large wounds and knocked him back onto the platform. The cage was descending slowly, otherwise the consequences would have been more serious. James Forsyth, joiner, Church Street, who was working near by, assisted in lifting the injured man, who was conveyed in a cart to his home in Beckford Street, and is recovering. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 February 1879]

NB Name was actually Hugh Brownlie – he died March 24th 1879

21 February 1879

Larkhall Pit Accident – Yesterday afternoon a boy, named James Meikle, employed at No 5 Pit Quarter, was injured whilst at is work. He was going before some hutches, which were in motion, and fell on the rails, the hutches passing over him, and breaking one of his legs. He was taken home to his residence in Hill St Larkhall, and attended by Dr W S M'Kenzie. [Hamilton Advertiser February 22 1879]

22 May 1879

Fatal Colliery Accident – A collier named James Stewart 18, residing at Larkfield, died on Friday, in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, from injuries received on the previous day in No 1 Pit, Udston Colliery, by a fall from the roof. [Hamilton Advertiser May 31 1879]

14 June 1879

On Saturday a singular accident happened at Silvertonhill Colliery siding to William Kerr, slate picker, Quarry Street, Hamilton. It was the dinner hour, and as a shelter from the sun's glare, he went under a waggon to eat his dinner. A number of empty waggons in the lie were shunted up, causing the one Kerr was under to move, and while crawling out he was caught between the wheel and the rails. His left leg was broken at the thigh, and his right much bruised. He was removed to the Glasgow Infirmary. [Scotsman 16 June 1879]

20 July 1879

Fatal Accident at Bent Colliery – A melancholy occurrence happened betwixt Saturday night and Sunday morning at Bent Colliery. The night engine-keeper, Alexander Frew, heard a sound as of a person falling down the shaft of No 1 pit, and having communicated with the manager, Mr Blyth, a man was lowered to the cage, which happened to have been left at a point about 20 fathoms down. Here he found the body of a man jammed betwixt the cage and the side of the pit, which, when brought to the surface, was identified as that of the engine keeper employed at the colliery, named John Allardice, aged about 30, and residing at Bent Buildings. At first there was some mystery as to how he came to be near the colliery at the time, and inquiries which were instituted by Sergeant Nicolson, of the Burgh Police, elicited that the deceased saw his wife off to Rutherglen at noon on Saturday. Instead of taking his wife's advice to go home, he spent the afternoon and evening, up till 11 o'clock, in several public houses, and is said to have been much the worse for liquor, when some time between 11 and 12 o'clock a companion, whom he would not allow to see him home, parted with him not far from the colliery. Before reaching the pit mouth he had to a private gate which was fastened and climb over the apparatus of the pit. As his boots were found here, it is conjectured that, while in a muddled state, he may have fancied himself in his own home, and, after taking off his boots in order to go to bed, stepped unintentionally into the yawning pit shaft. [Hamilton Advertiser July 26 1879]

3 April 1880

Accident At Ferniegair Colliery - An Explosion of firedamp took place on Saturday in No, 2 Pit,' Ferniegair Colliery, belonging to Mr Archd. Russell, by which Dennis Currant, miner, Ferniegair, and his boys, Patrick and Dennis, were severely burned. Currant and his sons were working at the stoops in the main coal seam, the trees upholding the roof being withdrawn all round, when a fall took place, and a quantity of gas was dislodged. Hie workers used naked lamps, which ignited the gas and caused an explosion. The Currants, who were severely burned about the body, arms, and face, were conveyed home, and attended by Dr Crawford. No fatal result is anticipated. [Glasgow Herald 5 April 1880]

NB Patrick Curran died 12 April 1880

27 May 1881

Hamilton – Fatal Colliery Accident - At Ferniegair Colliery, belonging to Mr Archibald Russell, coalmaster, a fireman, named John McKendrick, residing at the Colliery Rows, was on Friday evening in No. 2 Pit drawing props, when a large stone from the roof gave way and fell on him, killing him instantaneously. He was 49 years of age, and has left a widow and grown up family. [Scotsman 30 May 1881]

29 December 1881

Yesterday, a fatal accident under singular circumstances happened on the main road of No. 1 pit, Bent Colliery, belonging to the Bent Coat Company, Hamilton. A miner named Robert Brown, residing in Quarry Street, Hamilton, who, along with his son, was working at the face in the ell coal seam, complained of being unwell, and immediately put on his coat for the purpose of going home. Shortly afterwards, his dead body was found in the main road, about 400 yards from the pit bottom, fixed betwixt the axle of a hutch and the ground. The hutches being propelled by an endless rope, no one witnessed the accident, but there is no doubt that in proceeding to the pit bottom, deceased was seized with an epileptic fit, and had fallen in the way of the hutches. Dr Marshall, who was called, and who had previously treated Brown for this complaint, gave this as his opinion. [Scotsman 30th December 1881]

January 1882

Hamilton - Fatal Accident to a Sinker - A pit-sinker named James Harper, residing in Church Street, Hamilton, has been killed at Eddlewood Colliery under melancholy circumstances. While, with other three men, he was sinking a. shaft in No. 2 pit from the ell to the main coal, a mass of bastard fire-clay, weighing a ton, fell from a height of 14 feet, crushing him to death. His companions made a narrow escape.So greatly mutilated was his body that a coffin had to be got, in which it was at once placed and taken to Hamilton. [Scotsman 28 January 1882]

15 February 1882

Hamilton Fatal Accident - yesterday afternoon a fatal accident happened at Earnock Colliery (belonging to Mr John Watson) to John M’Clements, aged 21 years, son of Mr John M’Clements, Brandon Inn, Hamilton. Deceased was a joiner to trade, but not being able to secure a job, owing to the dull trade, he has for some time been employed on the surface at Earnock as a screenman. He was in the act of crossing the rails at the scree while some wagons were being shunted, and being caught between the buffers, was instantaneously killed. His remains were conveyed home to his father’s house. [Scotsman 16 February 1882]

November 1882

Hamilton – Fatal Fall Down a Pit - While Alexander Aitken, fireman, was repairing the slides in the shaft of No. 1 pit, Ferniegair Colliery, one of them which he was sawing gave way, and he fell with it down the shaft. He was found on a pumping bench, 12 fathoms below the point where he fell, doubled up and quite dead. [Scotsman 18 November 1882]

16 March 1883

Accident at Earnock Colliery – Four Men Injured - At Earnock Colliery, Lanarkshire, yesterday, a serious accident happened, whereby four men, were injured, one of then so severely that little hope, is entertained of his recovery. A few days ago wood propping were put up in No. 3 section of the ell coal seam of No. 1 pit to support the roof, and as it was afterwards found that they were placed disconform to specification, some eighteen inches too near the one side, Thomas Gilchrist, contractor (a brother of Mr Gilchrist, - the manager of the colliery), and five brushers were engaged putting up fresh timber at the proper place. when several tons of stone and rubbish fell from the roof. Two of the men—Bernard Docherty and Robert Gilchrist - had scarcely time to escape, and the others were buried underneath the fall. Docherty gave the alarm, and the injured men were speedily extricated, and conveyed, to the surface. Their names are :—Thomas Gilchrist, leg broken; John Robertson, severely bruised on shoulders and back ; George Pritchard, severe internal injuries, hardly expected to recover; John Murray, less severely bruised on back and shoulders. [Scotsman 17 March 1883]

NB George Pritchard died, aged 13, at 9 Gladstone St, Burnbank, at 11.40pm on March 16th 1883, 13 hours after the accident.

11 March 1884

Hamilton – Miner Killed – Yesterday a miner named Latta, residing at Burnbank, was killed in Earnock Colliery, where he worked along with his son. He was in the act of firing a shot, and having by some inadvertence lighted the squib instead of the match, before he got out of the way the charge exploded and he was terribly injured. He expired in an hour and a half afterwards. [Scotsman 12 March 1884]

8 April 1884

Pit Accident – On Tuesday night, Peter Downie, roadsman, Stonefield, Blantyre, had his arm severed at the elbow by a stone falling upon it from the roof in the splint coal seam of No 2 Pit, Greenfield Colliery. By the instructions of Dr Marshall, who visited him, he was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Hamilton Advertiser 12 April 1884]

Fatal Result of An Accident – Peter Downie, roadsman, Stonefield, Blantyre, has died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary from the effects of the accident which befel him on Tuesday night week in No 2 Pit, Greenfield Colliery. As reported last week a stone fell from the roof and completely severed his arm from the elbow. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 April 1884]

12 April 1884

Hamilton Accident- On Saturday a fatal accident happened at Cadzow Colliery to a miner named Harry Edgar. He had just commenced work in the soft coal seam, when a fall took place from the roof, completely burying him. Deceased was about forty years of age, and unmarried. [Scotsman 14 April 1884]

Fatal Accident at Cadzow Colliery – Between 8 and 9 o'clock on Saturday morning, a fatal accident happened to Harry Edgar, miner Cadzow Rows, in the ell coal seam of No 2 pit Cadzow Colliery. Deceased was engaged taking out stoops, the work being rendered additionally dangerous owing to a double fracture of the strata causing a bad parting at the roof, and a mass of ten tons fell upon him. He was instantaneously killed and was so completely buried underneath the mass of coal and stones that it took nearly two hours to dig him out. Deceased was about 40 years of age and the sole support of a widowed mother. A young lad named Patrick Leonard was knocked down by the fall but escaped uninjured. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 April 1884]

6 May 1884

Yesterday morning, a miner named Hugh M'Cartney (19), residing at Burnbank, was killed in the ell coal seam of Earnock Colliery. Deceased and his brother were working at the stoops, when, without any warning, a piece of head coal came away from the roof and struck deceased. Death was instantaneous. [Scotsman 7 May 1884]

4 July 1884

Hamilton – Two Men Seriously Injured at Quarter - Yesterday a serious mining accident happened at No. 7 Pit, Quarter Colliery, to two roadsmen, Daniel M'Clare and John Hamilton. While the men were on the pit-head, and the pit temporarily stopped at "corning" time, they proceeded to repair the platform at the bottom of the shaft which covers the sumph, and appear to have neglected to warn the engine-keeper, who let down the cage above them. Hamilton was caught behind, and thrown out on the plates; M'Clare, less fortunate, being crushed under the cage. He is very seriously injured about the breast, but hopes of his recovery are entertained. [Scotsman 5 July 1884]

17 July 1884

Hamilton – Fatal Pit Accident – Yesterday, Terrence Murray, 38, miner, Burnbank, was killed in the Ell coal seam of Earnock Colliery. Deceased was employed taking out stoops, when, without warning, about 15 cwt. of coal and stone came away from the roof. It fell upon him, inflicting dreadful injuries. Death was instantaneous. [Scotsman 19 July 1884]

22 August 1884

A roadsman named Robert McGuire has died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary from the effects of an accident in Allanshaw Colliery on 22nd ult. Deceased, at the time of the accident, was repairing a line of rails, when, without warning, a stone weighing 2 cwt, came away from the roof, falling upon him and breaking his left leg and injuring his spine. [Scotsman 4 September 1884]

12 September 1884

An accident attended with fatal results took place at Home Farm Colliery, near Larkhall yesterday forenoon, to a boy named John Neilson, aged 14 years. The unfortunate lad was in the act of ''snibbling'' some waggons descending an incline, when he was forced in front of the wheels. The waggon passed over both his legs, injuring them so badly that it was found necessary to amputate them above the knee. His injuries were so serious that he expired in about an hour.[Scotsman 13 Sept 1884]

1 October 1884

Yesterday, as a boy named Arthur Halliday was working in the main coal seam, Bent Colliery, a fall of coal from the roof struck him, breaking his leg. The boy's father and another man, who were working along with, him, escaped. [Scotsman 2 October 1884]

3 October 1884

Hamilton – Fatal Pit Accident – yesterday as Alexander Jenkins, 21, and his younger brother John were at work in the soft coal seam of No 1 Pit, Greenfield Colliery, the roof suddenly gave a crack, causing a fall which buried Alexander underneath. John, escaping unhurt, got assistance, but when extricated Alexander was dead. [Scotsman 4 October 1884]

7 October 1884

Fatal Pit Accident near Hamilton - On Tuesday afternoon Neil Reily, miner, Cadzow Rows, was killed in the ell-coal seam of No. 1 Pit, Allanshead Colliery. He was working along with Allan Livingstone, miner, Burnbank, and the two were filling a hutch when a quantity of head coal, weighing 7 cwt., came away and fell upon them, killing Reily, and dislocating Livingstone's left ankle-joint. [Motherwell Times 11 October 1884]

8 November 1884

Quarter – Man Suffocated – On Saturday last, John Keith, 38, banksman, was suffocated under singular circumstances at No 6 Pit Quarter Colliery, belonging to Messrs Colin Dunlop & Co. He was pulling a hutch filled with manure, which had just been sent up the pit, along a tramway with a view to emptying it in the manure heap, situated some 4 1/2 feet underneath the rails, and it is supposed that, being unable to stop the hutch, he was knocked into the heap. Five minutes elapsed before he was missed, and on a search being made he was found buried among the manure, with the hutch weighing about 5 cwt, lying above him, and only his legs visible. He was quite lifeless when extricated, having been suffocated. His remains have been removed to South Wellington Street, Glasgow, where his wife resides. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 November 1884]

7 January 1885

Pit Accident At Quarter – On Wednesday as a roadsman named Edward McCann and a fireman named John McGraw were clearing a fall in the splint coal seam of No 7 Pit,Quarter Colliery, belonging to Messrs Colin Dunlop & Co, another fall came away from the roof, burying M'Cann and striking M'Graw. Three of M'Cann's ribs were broken and M'Graw's right leg was fractured above the knee. [Scotsman 9 January 1885]

18 February 1885

Pit Accident Near Hamilton – In the main coal seam of No 4 pit, Quarter Colliery, on Wednesday, as a a lad named Andrew Craig, belonging to Strathaven, was proceeding to the pit bottom with seven loaded hutches, at the top of a steep incline as usual, he inserted the snibbles into the two last hutches, but the remaining ones turned out to be disconnected, and they ran down the incline. Craig, in trying to save his pony, came against a prop and was thrown in front of the hutches. When relieved it was found that he had sustained a compound fracture of the right arm. He was sent to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Scotsman 20 February 1885]

20 May 1885

Fatal Result of An Accident - John Forbes,18, son of Mr A. Forbes, colliery manager, Ferniegare, has died from injuries received by being run over by four waggons at Earnock colliery, where he was employed as weighing clerk. [Scotsman 30 May 1885]

13 July 1885

Fatal Accident At Cadzow Colliery - On Monday afternoon, as Peter Dunnion (30), miner, was returning from the face of No. 3 Pit, ell coal seam of Cadzow colliery, he was fatally injured by being jammed between a hutch and a prop. The haulage road is about a mile and a quarter in length, and deceased, contrary to rule, jumped on to the leading hutch of a rake of twelve, for easy conveyance to the pit bottom. All went well until about 400 yards from his destination when the bogie went off the road, pulling the hutch on which Dunnion and the bogie man were seated along with it. The latter was thrown to one side, and escaped without hurt. Dunnion alighted between the hutch and a prop, and died in half an hour from his injuries. He was a single man and resided with a sister at Landale Street, Cadzow Rows. [Scotsman 15 July 1885]

15 July 1885

Fatal Accident At Bent Colliery, Hamilton - Yesterday afternoon a collier named Hugh Hassan (aged about 32), was killed, in the Ell coal seam of No. 1 pit, Bent colliery, occupied by the Bent Coal Company. With three others, Hassan was engaged drawing props, and upon knocking out one, a large mass of coal fell from the roof. Hassan was dead when extricated. [Scotsman 16 July 1885]

10 December 1885

Fatal Accident At Udston Colliery, Hamilton - Yesterday the county police reported that as William Rennie, waggon trimmer. was assisting to take a number of waggons from the pit-head to the weighing machine, he was too long in stepping out from between two of the waggons, and they closed upon him. He was jammed between the buffers, and killed instantaneously. [Scotsman 15 December 1885]

28 December 1885

Fatal Accident to a Railway Brakesman – On Monday night, as a mineral brakesman named Arthur McKinnon, lodging at 6 Ann St, Burnbank, was engaged uncoupling empty waggons in the siding at Barncluith Colliery, Caledonian Railway, he slipped from the buffers in among the wheels, one of which passed over him. His right leg was cut and he sustained a sever compound fracture below the left knee. On being brought to Hamilton Central Station, he was attended by Dr Loudon and afterwards sent on by special engine to Glasgow for conveyance to the Royal Infirmary, where he died of his injuries on Tuesday morning. [Hamilton Advertiser January 2 1886]

26 January 1886

Pit Accident at Ferniegair Colliery – On Tuesday as Hugh Connor (22), driver, was seated on the front of a rake of hutches which were being drawn to the bottom at No 1 Pit, Ferniegair Colliery, the horse, a restive animal, bolted. Connor was thrown off his seat, and two of the wheels passed over his left leg, fracturing it. He was conveyed to his lodgings at Grammar School Square, and attended by Dr Lennox, who ordered his removal to the Royal Infirmary. [Hamilton Advertiser January 30 1886]

20 March 1886

Accident at Bent Colliery - On Saturday, a pony driver named Thomas Gaw, residing in Bent Rows, was seriously injured in the main coal seam, Bent Colliery. He was taking two loaded hutches to the pit bottom, and was riding on the foremost one, and while passing through a screen on the road was thrown off. He was conveyed home and attended by Drs Marshall and Robertson. His chief injuries are to the spine. On Monday, Gaw was removed in an ambulance waggon to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Hamilton Advertiser March 27 1886]

22 March 1886

Pit Accident at Greenfield- On Monday, as Patrick Dobbin (14) and his father were at work at the stoops in the main coal seam No 1 Pit, Greenfield Colliery, a fall of coal, weighing about 12 cwt., came away from the roof, and falling partly on the boy, inflicted internal injuries about the abdomen. Dr Marshall attended and the boy was sent to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. The father escaped unhurt. [Hamilton Advertiser March 27 1886]

1 April 1886

Accident at Ross Colliery – On Thursday, while James Russell, miner, was at work at the face in Ross Colliery, a fall from the roof took place, injuring his spinal column. He was at once attended by four of the workmen who had been trained in Dr Marshall's ambulance class; and , having been placed on a stretcher, was carried by them with great care and tenderness to his home in Portland Place, a distance of three miles. Here Dr Marshall had already arrived, and gave the injured man every attention. This case further illustrates the advantage of ambulance training, and shows the necessity for procuring a waggon without delay, the exertion entailed in carrying the man such a distance being very great. [Hamilton Advertiser April 3 1886]

1 May 1886

Pit Accident – On Saturday a miner named Watt had his spine injured by a fall of coal in Greenfield Colliery. He was immediately attended to by members of Dr Marshalls ambulance class, and, having been carried home on stretcher, was seen by Dr Marshall who ordered his removal to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. This was done on Monday by means of an ambulance wagon. [Hamilton Advertiser May 8 1886]

20 September 1886

Pit Accident – On Monday morning, while Martin Wheelan, miner, Butterburn Place, was working along with his two sons at the face in No 1 Pit, Townlands Colliery, a mass of coal came away unexpectedly. The sons escaped unhurt, but a portion fell on Wheelan who, when extricated, was found to be considerably bruised about the back and other parts. He is not supposed to be seriously injured. [Hamilton Advertiser September 25 1886]

29 November 1886

Colliery Accident – On Monday afternoon an accident, attended with fatal results, occurred at Dykehead Colliery, belonging to the Summerlee Iron Co. George Muir, a miner, was employed in the ell coal seam, along with his two sons, when the roof gave way. Muir was buried in the debris and when he was taken out life was extinct. One of his sons was struck on the head by a piece of coal, whilst the other had his leg broken above the knee. Deceased leaves a wife and seven children. [Hamilton Advertiser December 1886]

15 April 1887

Fatal Accident At Eddlewood Colliery – On Saturday a fatal accident happened at Eddlewood Colliery to Thomas Laird, miner, residing at Eddlewood Buildings, Lowwaters. Along with his son he was working at the stoops, when a heavy fall of coal came down upon them. He asked the son to go for assistance, but being injured, he was unable to do so, and a second fall killed the father outright. [Scotsman 18 April 1887]

19 May 1888

Fatal Pit Accident - On Saturday, Richard Curwood, shot firer, was killed at Cadzow Colliery. He had applied a fuse to a shot, which,missing fire, it is supposed, he had returned to examine the cause, when it unexpectedly exploded. No person wag near at the time, Dr Lennox subsequently examined the body, and found death had ensued from internal haemorrhage. Deceased was 28 years of age, and leaves a widow and family. [Scotsman 21 May 1888]

November 1888

Fatal Pit Accident At Hamilton - Alexander Penman (21), miner, has lost his life in No. 3 Pit, Cadzow Colliery. Along with a young man named Cook, he was engaged at the face when two tons of head coal and blaze came away unexpectedly, nearly burying him. When extricated shortly afterwards he was dead. [17 November 1888]

12 July 1889

Fatal Pit Accident - At a late hour on Friday se'ennight, Constine [sic] Kelly (14), miner, New Wynd, was fatally injured in the Backmuir Pit, belonging to the Clyde Coal Coy. He was employed on the night shift, and shortly after starting a fall took place from the roof. He was badly hurt about the head and other parts. After being attended by Dr Robertson, he was conveyed in the ambulance waggon to the Royal Infirmary, where he has since died. [Hamilton Advertiser 20 July 1889]

20 December 1889

Fatal Pit Accident – On Friday, as Michael Daily, miner, Blantyre, was working at the face in Udston Colliery, a fall of rock took place, killing him instantaneously. [Scotsman 23 December 1889]

1 February 1890

Miner Killed At Hamilton - On Saturday morning as James Pitts, miner, Burnbank, was working in the soft coal seam of No. 1 Pit , Greenfield colliery, he was buried underneath a mass of 30 cwt. of earth which fell from the roof, and was dead when extricated. [Scotsman 3 February 1890]

6 August 1890

Fatal Pit Accident To A Pit Sinker – Yesterday morning James Gowans, Low Waters, lost his life while engaged sinking a new shaft at Eddlewood Colliery, Hamilton, by the premature explosion of a shot. [Scotsman 8 August 1890]

9 December 1890

Accident At Hamilton - William Valentine, a miner, received a severe injury to his leg through a stone falling from the roof in a coal pit belonging to the Allanshaw Coal Company, Hamilton. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary. [Evening Times 9 December 1890]

19 December 1890

A miner named John Campbell was killed last night in Earnock Colliery Hamilton. He was knocked down and run over by a hutch. [Evening Times 20 December 1890]

31 December 1890

Accident In A Pit - Yesterday afternoon, John Forgie, a collier employed in Eddlewood Pit, Hamilton, met with a rather serious accident. While working down the pit, a plank of wood fell from the top, struck Forgie, and inflicted severe injuries on his side. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary. [Evening Times 31 December 1890]

6 January 1891

Man Drowned At Hamilton - Hamilton Tuesday - Today the body of James M'Math, carter, was found in Cadzow Colliery pond. He was known as the Strapper, and slept about farm houses, doing odd jobs for farmers. He is supposed to have slipped and fallen through the ice. [Evening Times 6 January 1891]

Yesterday morning the dead body of James M'Math, aged about sixty-seven, was found in the pond at Cadzow Colliery, into which it is supposed be had fallen late on Monday night. [Scotsman 7 January 1891]

1 August 1891

Firedamp Accident At Hamilton - On Saturday an explosion of fire damp occurred in the splint coal seam, Ross Colliery, belonging to the Coltness Iron Company by which John Anderson and George Anderson brothers were burned. John Anderson left the place where he and his brothel worked and entered an old disused working, which was barricaded to keep them out. The fireman in the morning inspection examined the place and reported it clear of gas. During the interval fire damp accumulated and it was kindled off Anderson's naked lamp. He was found burned about the face and arms at a considerable distance inside the barrier. The flames from the blast spread into the roadway where James Anderson was working, burning him so severely on the hands and face that his condition is considered critical. There were 150 men at work. [Scotsman 3 August 1891]

The Colliery Explosion At Hamilton - John Anderson, the elder of the two brothers hurt by the explosion of fire-damp in Ross Colliery, near Hamilton, has also died from his injuries. The mother of the men is dangerously ill from the shock caused by the death of her two sons. [Scotsman 6 August 1891]

11 January 1892

Fatal Accident At Eddlewood Colliery – Between 10 and 11 o'clock on Monday evening, Wm Rennie or Wilson, screeman, residing in Smith's lodging house, Holmes St, was killed at Eddlewood Colliery belonging to John Watson Limited. Deceased was shifting waggons on the surface at No 3 Pit when he was caught between the buffers of two of them and crushed. Death was instantaneous. Being member of the Salvation Army, deceased was buried with all the honours of the body. [Hamilton Advertiser 16 January 1892]

18 January 1892

Serious Accident At Townlands Colliery – On Monday afternoon Robert Boyd, oversman, was seriously injured in No 1 Pit, Townlands Colliery, belonging to the Clyde Coal Co. After dinner he went down the shaft to change a pump bucket in the splint coal. He had it taken out and placed on the corner of the scaffolding when either from overbalancing himself or from the effects of dizziness of which he had been complaining, he fell to the bottom a distance of 8 feet, and, alighting on his head, sustained a compound fracture of the skull. He was at first attended by Dr Steel, assistant to Dr Lennox, and afterwards by Dr Robertson the colliery medical officer who found it necessary to send the unfortunate man to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary where we regret to say he lies in a precarious condition. [Hamilton Advertiser 23 January 1892]

23 January 1892

Accident At Ferniegair – On Saturday afternoon while John Lindsay was proceeding to his work in No 2 Pit, his foot slipped on the plates at the pit bottom and he fell with great violence, sustaining a dislocation of the shoulder. Dr Steele was in immediate attendance and had it replaced. He is doing well according to latest accounts. [Hamilton Advertiser 30 January 1892]

6 April 1893

Fatal Pit Accident At Hamilton - On Thursday afternoon John M'Gregor (27), pony-driver, Millheugh, Larkhall, was fatally injured in No. 7 pit, Quarter Colliery. He was on his way to the pit bottom with a rake of hutches when a stone weighing 4 cwt. fell from the roof and crushed him. He was assisted by another pony-driver and taken home, but died at eight o'clock at night. [Scotsman 8 April 1893]

24 April 1893

Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday forenoon, as Daniel M'Cartney, fireman, and David Smith, miner, were coming from the coal face in the ell coal seam, No. 2 Backmuir Plantation Pit, belonging to the Clyde Coal Company, they heard a race of hutches approaching, and stepped aside. There was ample room for them, but unluckily there was a bend in the road at the place, and the hutches, which were coming at a high speed, left the metals and crushed both men against the roadside. Smith was severely injured about the head, and only lived for an hour. He leaves a widow and grown-up family. M'Cartney was also injured, but is expected to recover. [Scotsman 25 April 1893]

21 August 1893

Fatal Pit Accident – On Monday night, John M'Dowall, roadsman, was instantaneously killed in No 1 pit, Clyde Colliery. He was superintending the drawing of a section of wood, when a fall of rock, weighing 6 or 7 cwts., came away, crushing him underneath. [Scotsman 23 August 1893]

6 June 1895

Yesterday morning, in Wellhall Colliery, belonging to Wilsons & Clyde (Limited), Thomas Simpson was killed by a fall of coal from the roof. [Scotsman 7 June 1895]

1 September 1895

Fatal Pit Accident at Hamilton – On Sunday night, John Money (27), pit-sinker, Meikle Earnock, was killed in No. 2 Pit, Neilsland colliery. belonging to John Watson (Limited.). The pit, which is in course of being sunk, is forty fathoms deep, with two fathoms of water at the bottom. Deceased was acting as pitheadman and had attached the chain to the kettle or barrel used in drawing the water from the pit, when the eye-bolt broke, and he was thrown down the shaft head foremost. His dead body, an hour later, was recovered by means of grappling irons. [Scotsman 3 September 1895]

11 October 1895

Fatal Accident at Cadzow Colliery - Yesterday Andrew Maxwell, twenty two years of age, bogieman, residing in Union Street, Hamilton, was killed in No. 3 pit, Cadzow Colliery. He was conveying a rake of empty hutches to the face, and omitting to move the points where two roads diverge, the hutches left the metals and knocked down a prop, causing the wood and rubbish above to fall on Maxwell. When extricated he was dead. [Scotsman 12 October 1895]

22 October 1895

Two Men Killed at Earnock – On Tuesday afternoon, Abram M'Mannus, 21, unmarried, miner, Townhead Street, and Charles Rae, unmarried, 42 Argyle Buildings, Earnock, were fatally injured by a fall in the ell coal seam of No 1 Pit, Earnock Colliery, belonging to John Watson, Limited. The two men were working alongside an old drift, when a fall of stone came away unexpectedly from the roof. Rae was killed instantaneously, and M'Mannus, who was partially buried, died about an hour after being extricated. [Hamilton Advertiser October 26 1895]

3 December 1895

Fatal Pit Accident – John William Beattie, miner, Greenfield Road, Hamilton, was killed yesterday in No 2 Backmuir Colliery, belonging to Wilsons & Clyde Coal Company (Limited), With other two men he was working at the face, when the sound of “picking” which generally precedes a fall was heard. His companions escaped but he was crushed under a stone weighing 30 tons. He had only started work in the pit that morning. [Scotsman 4 December 1895]

19 February 1896

Fatal Result of an Accident – John Millar (39), miner, who was injured by a fall from the roof in Eddlewood colliery, Hamilton, on Wednesday last, has died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 25 February 1896]

12 September 1896

Fatal Accident - On Saturday forenoon n fatal accident occurred at Merryton colliery, near Larkhall. John Moodie (30), miner, was drawing wood in the splint coal seam, and was taking out his last prop when the roof came away upon him. When extricated life was extinct. [Scotsman 14 September 1896]

16 and 20 October 1897

Fatal Accident Inquiries At Hamilton - Fatal Accident Inquiries At Hamilton - Before Sheriff Davidson and a jury, at Hamilton, yesterday an inquiry was made into the death of John M'Groartey, miner , from the result of injuries by being knocked down by a hutch in Hamilton Palace Colliery on 20th October. The jury found that deceased had received an injury by leaving the proper pathway in the pit, but that the evidence did not show that the injury resulted in his death. In the inquiry into the deaths of John Smith and his son James, at Merrytown colliery on 16th October, the evidence showed that the fireman had not made the proper examinations; also; that these was a question as to the sufficiency of the timber supplied for the support of the roof, the fatalities being the result of a fall of stone, by which father and son were instantaneously killed. Mr R Smillie, miners' agent, addressed the jury, and asked them to give expression to their views on the subject. They found that the stone which crushed the man and his boy had fallen owing to its not being sufficiently propped. In the concluding case, that of John Miles, pithead labourer, who was fatally injured by being crushed between waggons on the surface at Earnock Colliery on 20th October, the verdict ,was that deceased met his death in a place where he ought not to have been. [Scotsman 24 November 1897]

8 August 1898

Fatal Mining Accident – Yesterday forenoon an accident, attended with a fatal result, occurred at Allanton Colliery, belonging to Messrs William Barr & Sons. James Hill was engaged above ground bringing empty waggons into the scree, when, owing to the slippery state of the rails, they became unmanageable, and Hill, in trying to put in a snibble, fell in front, with the result that several of the waggons passed over him, death being instantaneous. [Scotsman 9 August 1898]

25 October 1898

Fatal Pit Accident – Yesterday, Francis Hailstones, 27, pit fireman, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, met with his death under singular circumstances in the main coal seam of Earnock Colliery. He was making his usual inspection of the workings, and entered a place where he discovered the existence of firedamp, which proved to be present in larger volume than he anticipated. He was overcome, and before he could be got out, he was suffocated. [Scotsman 27th October 1898]

11 November 1898

Fatal Colliery Accident - On Thursday a brusher named Samuel Blaikley, residing at Allanton Colliery Rows, met his death in the pit. He was working in the Virtuewell seam at Allanton Colliery, and had prepared two shots to go off together. One only went off, and when Blaikley went on the road to see what was wrong, the other charge went off; and the unfortunate man was killed. [Scotsman 12 November 1898]

NB Name was actually Thomas Blackley

24 November 1898

Fatal Result of An Accident – Hugh Cairney, labourer, Cadzow Rows, Hamilton, who was severely injured on Thursday by being crushed between colliding waggons on the surface at Cadzow Colliery, has since died. [Scotsman 28 November 1898]

22 February 1890

Hamilton - Pit Accident - David Muir, 18, bottomer, Bent Road, was seriously injured in Earnock Colliery, on Saturday. He was in the act of shifting a bogey when a rake of hutches was brought out by the underground haulage, and he was knocked down and run over. He was found to have received a compound fracture of the leg, and after being treated by Dr Loudon was sent on to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Glasgow Herald 24 February 1890]

3 April 1899

Fatal Accident At Earnock Colliery - On Monday a fatal accident happened in Earnock Colliery to Thomas M'Haffie (29), pony driver, Beckford Street. He was driving a pony yoked to a couple of hutches in No 2 section of No 1 pit when a stone weighing 4 cwts fell from the roof, crushing him underneath its weight and killing him instantaneously. He was discovered ten minutes afterwards. [Hamilton Advertiser 8 April 1899]

9 April 1899

Fatal Accident at Ferniegair Colliery - On Sunday afternoon, Alexander Taylor, sixteen years of age, residing in Ferniegair, was killed by falling down the shaft of Ferniegair Pit. Deceased, who was the son of the colliery oversman, was descending the shaft with the ostler to feed the pit ponies, when he fell out of the cage, and was terribly mutilated by the fall. [11 April 1899]

16 May 1899

Fatal Pit Accident – On Tuesday evening, Charles Gorman, 52, miner, Hamilton, was fatally injured in Cadzow Colliery. At the time he was engaged drawing props in the splint coal seam when he was overwhelmed by a fall of coal and stone. [Scotsman 18 May 1899]

13 July 1899

Fatal Accident At Earnock Colliery - About a quarter past three on Thursday afternoon, James M'Lachlan M'Aulay (14), miner, Whitehill Road, Hamilton, was fatally injured in No 3 Pit, Earnock Colliery. He had finished work for the day, and was proceeding to the pit bottom along a haulage road, when a rake of hutches came unexpectedly along, and before he had time to escape he was crushed between a hutch and a prop. He was taken to the ambulance room at the colliery, where he died at four o'clock. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 July 1899]