| Year | Month | Day | Name of Colliery | Where situated | Owners name | Person(s) killed | Occupation | Age | Category (if given) | Cause of death and remarks | Extra Information |
| 1873 | January | 10 | Cromlet | New Monkland, LKS | Thomas Jackson | Hugh Richardson | Collier | 30 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof while repairing the drawing road | |
| 1873 | January | 14 | Tigethaugh | Denny | Wm Baird & Co | Joseph Quin | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines- Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | Newspaper report - Stirlingshire pages |
| 1873 | January | 20 | Addiewell | West Calder, Edinburgh | Youngs Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co Ltd | John Miles | Labourer | 52 | In Shale mines | Jammed between two wagons | |
| 1873 | January | 23 | Cowdenbeath | Beath, FIF | Cowdenbeath Coal Co. | Robt. Crighton | Joiner | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | Crushed by an engine-beam. He was about to do some work to a window, and forgot the beam was in motion | Newspaper report - Beath pages |
| 1873 | January | 31 | Lodge | Slamannan, STI | John Watson | Chas. Melville | Bottomer | -- | Falling from part way down | He fell from a mid-working (splint coal) to the bottom a distance of 14 ½ fathoms | |
| 1873 | February | 4 | Thrashbush | Bothwell, LKS | Thrashbush Coal Co | J Bernard Toll | Collier | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at “stoops” | |
| 1873 | February | 6 | Linridge | New Monkland, LKS | Forrester & Robson | John Cowan | Collier | 19 | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at face | Newspaper report - Cambusnethan pages |
| 1873 | February | 7 | Kenmure No 2 | Tollcross | James Dunlop & Co | James Moodie | Collier | 18 | Miscellaneous | Inundation of water from an adjoining pit From Main body of report: The first is of a sad and painful nature ; it was occasioned by an inundation of water, and created a great deal of excitement at the time of its occurrence. The scene of this disaster, Kenmure No. 2 pit, situated near Glasgow, is 75 fathoms deep, and the workings in "Main" and Ell Coal," about 7 fathoms apart, were separated by a barrier of coal from an abandoned mine, No. 1, situated to the "rise," lying full of water. The situation of the "waste" was well known, and upwards of a year before the accident it was tapped in the Ell Coal seam at A on plan. The water was not run off, but preparations were in course for the purpose of withdrawing it to an adjoining shaft at a lower level, No. 1 pit Bogleshole, where suitable arrangements were made for pumping it. The deceased, Archd. McBeth, and his companion, James Moodie, were engaged forming a continuous course for the water from the main coal to the splint, and this was to be accomplished by means of two large bore holes near to each other, one of which was completed at S. The deceased were about 110 fathoms distant from the shaft, and the first indication of danger was discovered at the completed bore hole, by the parties on the opposite side, who were working at or near the lower end of it. They felt an unusual rush of air through the bore hole, and called M'Beth's attention to it, who, with Moodie, apparently lost no time in rushing to the pit bottom; but the water had unquestionably reached that point before them, and as there was little or no "standage" there, it would rise rapidly. The engineman heard four distinct signals given a little after the time the accident must have happened, and after making the return signal twice, without receiving the usual ascent signal one, he lifted the cage, which was empty. Though some account for the signals being made by the water and stones falling from the "Ell Coal" upon the handle of the signal hammer, I think there can be no doubt that the deceased reached the pit bottom, and that the signal four was made by them in desperation, and no doubt meant first three, and then one to raise the cage. The water which of course came from the "Ell Coal" would rush down the shaft with tremendous force, and the slight delay in raising the cage appears to have cut off their last chance of escape. It is true the cross-cut mine from the Main to the Ell Coal, M. M., would have led them to the outlet, but I think it is very likely they would remain as long as possible at the pit bottom trusting to being raised, and before they thought of the cross-cut, the water would be so high as to prevent their escape by it, and, if so, they had no chance after the water rose in the pit bottom but to retreat to the "rise" in the Main Coal as the water rose in the workings. There is evidence that they advanced to the "rise" part of the works to which the water did not reach, and afterwards returned as the water subsided, and from the place the bodies were found, at F, a point to which the water could not have abated in less than 14 days after the accident, there is undoubted proof that they lived for 14 days or more. They were found lying together, with one of their jackets partly covering both of them, and my belief is, that after enduring for at least 14 days the pangs of hunger, and the bitter anguish of despairing hope, they at last succumbed to the vitiated air of the mine. A melancholy interest is attached to one of the flasks found beside the bodies, such as underground workmen use for carrying tea. I did not see it, but I understand that the following, supposed to have been written in darkness with a nail or pin, was intelligible, and must have been written by M'Beth, his companion being unmarried : “My dear wife, long after you and all other people thought we were dead I had great hopes of seeing you. I bid you farewell, hoping God will comfort and take care of you and them.” (Meaning the children.) In this case the management was misled by the plan of the No. 1 pit, which did not truly represent the extent of the workings. [See Fig] | Newspaper Report - Old Monkland pages |
| Archd McBeth | Collier | 30 | |||||||||
| 1873 | February | 15 | Chalmerston No 3 | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | John Wilson | Collier | 19 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | February | 15 | Jelliston No 2 | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | Pat Pindergrass | Pony driver | 40 | Miscellaneous | Fell before hutches and was found under them | |
| 1873 | February | 18 | Cliftonhall No 2 | Coatdyke | Cliftonhall Coal Co | Peter Robertson | Bencher at top of plane | 14 | Miscellaneous | Was run over by two hutches upon the incline | |
| 1873 | February | 20 | Hayside | Kilmarnock | James Oastler & Co | William Tympany | Drawer | 42 | In Shafts | By falling from a mid-working. 10 fathoms From Main body of report: At this mine, Hayside, two seams of coal are worked, the "main" and "splint," the former being situated ten fathoms above the latter. The deceased was a "drawer" or "putter," and was employed in the upper seam. It appears that on the day of the accident he went with a loaded hutch to the pit, but unfortunately in the absence of the cage he pushed it into the open shaft, and fell to the bottom with it, a distance of ten fathoms. There was no bottomer to direct the drawers, but each placed his own hutch upon the cage, and made the required signals. By the 14th General Rule of the statute it was the duty of the owners to provide a fence at the midworking in the Main Coal seam, so as to prevent drawers and others from passing inadvertently into the shaft, but this they failed to do. They were charged with a contravention of the 14th General Rule, the case was tried by Sheriff Anderson in the Court-house, Kilmarnock, they were found guilty, fined in £2 10s, each, with the alternative of suffering ten days' imprisonment. | Newspaper Report |
| 1873 | February | 20 | Springwells | New Monkland, LKS | Dundas Simpson | Wm Sewcing | Bottomer | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | Fell from scaffold at pit top on to the rails. The place is now fenced all around | |
| 1873 | February | 23 | Starryshaw | Thomas McInnes | Not listed in report | Death not listed in Inspectors report | Shotts pages - newspaper report | ||||
| 1873 | February | 24 | Dykehead | James Reid McGuire | Not listed in report | Death not listed in Inspectors report | Death certificate only - with thanks to Janice Bryans for this information | ||||
| 1873 | February | 27 | Dykehead | Hamilton, LKS | Summerlee Iron Co | Gardner Bell | Roadsman | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof. A prop was knocked out accidentally by a tub he was drawing | Newspaper report - Hamilton pages |
| 1873 | February | 28 | Calderhead | Shotts, LKS | Shotts Iron Co | Peter Smith | Roadsman | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof | [Actually Robert Smith - with thanks to Janice Bryans for this information] Shotts pages - newspaper report |
| 1873 | March | 1 | Gartshore, No 1 | Kilsyth | Wm Baird & Co | John McNaught | Fireman | -- | In Ironstone mines - In Shafts | Was fatally injured while changing a bucket | |
| 1873 | March | 4 | Ayr (Gadgirth) | Ayr | Geo Taylor & Co | Edw. W. Crorie | Collier | 40 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. | |
| 1873 | March | 4 | Overtown Station | Cambusnethan, LKS | James Waddell | Richard Hodge | Collier | -- | On inclined planes | Jammed by a train of loaded hutches | |
| 1873 | March | 6 | Kinneil | Bo'ness, Linlithgow | George Wilson & Co | John Bow | Collier | 38 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof in the drawing road | Newspaper report - Lothians pages |
| 1873 | March | 10 | Benhar | Shotts, LKS | Robert Addie & Sons | Robt. Salisburgh | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines | Fall of stone from roof at face | Newspaper report - New Monklands |
| 1873 | March | 11 | Bartonholm No 3 | Kilwinning | Eglinton Iron Co | Hugh McGowan | Pit-head man | 46 | In Shafts | Fell into the shaft while putting wood upon the cage | |
| 1873 | March | 13 | Drumpeller, No 4 | Coatbridge, LKS | Henderson & Dimmack | John Scullion | Collier | 56 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of coal | Newspaper Report - Old Monkland pages |
| 1873 | March | 14 | Coalheughglen | Dalry | Merry & Cunningham | Thomas McIvor | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines - In Shafts | Crane got out of gear and he was precipitated to the bottom of the shaft | |
| 1873 | March | 22 | Neilston | Kilsyth | James Wallace & Co | Wm. Hamilton | Asst. fireman | 22 | Explosions | Explosion of fire damp. From Main body of report: The first took place in a part of a mine which from some cause had become untravellable ; the ventilation was weak, and firedamp had collected in it. The deceased, for the purpose of making some temporary alterations with the view of improving the ventilation, attempted to go in to it without a light, but unfortunately ventured beyond the limit of safety, and before he could be extricated had succumbed to the noxious gases with which the place was filled. | |
| 1873 | April | 3 | Huttonhill | Dalziel, LKS | Scott & Livingstone | Alex Adams | Collier | -- | Falling from part way down | He fell from a mid-working (ell coal) with a hutch to the bottom, a depth of 14 fathoms. The place is now fenced | |
| 1873 | April | 5 | Stonelaw, No 1 | Rutherglen | J R Reid | James Simpson | Drawer | 14 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of stone on drawing road | |
| 1873 | April | 8 | Shieldmuir | Dalziel, LKS | Summerlee Iron Co | Robt. Kilpatrick | Collier | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at the face. The stone came with the coal which he was bringing down | |
| 1873 | April | 12 | Auldton | Dalserf, LKS | Andrew Spencer | James Kerr | Collier | -- | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at the “stoops” | |
| 1873 | April | 13 | Cambusnethan | Cambusnethan, LKS | D & J Sneddon | John Gibb | ----- | -- | Falling from part way down | Fell from the ell coal, 8 fathoms to the bottom, while repairing the shaft | |
| 1873 | April | 15 | Auchintrarvie No 3 | Saltcoats | Kenneth & Whitefield | Robt. McTadzean | Boy | 14 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. | |
| 1873 | April | 21 | Cambuslang | Cambuslang | Archd. Russell | Richd. McGinn | Redsman | -- | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | April | 21 | Gartnavel, No 7 | Maryhill | Robert Addie & Sons | James Todd | Drawer | -- | In Ironstone mines | Fell with a hutch down an ironstone bing | |
| 1873 | April | 22 | Shieldmuir | Dalziel, LKS | Glasgow Iron Co | John Smith | ----- | 35 | Falls of Roof | He was drawing props in the main coal seam when one sprang out and struck him on the breast | Newspaper report |
| 1873 | April | 29 | Allanton | Hamilton, LKS | Austine & Co | And. Meikle | Hutch runner | 50 | Miscellaneous on surface | Fell from scaffold at the “lift” for bringing coals when the cage was down | Newspaper report - Hamilton pages |
| 1873 | May | 3 | Cambuslang | Cambuslang | Archd. Russell | John Mellay | Collier | -- | Miscellaneous | Fell from a train of loaded hutches | |
| 1873 | May | 13 | Thankerton | Bothwell, LKS | Monkland Iron & Coal Co Ltd | James Gray | Boy | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | By wagons passing over him while thoughtlessly creeping through beneath them | |
| 1873 | May | 14 | Lanemark, No 1 | N Cumnock | Lanemark Coal Co | Andrew Rae | Collier | -- | Falls of Coal & Roof | Leg injured by a fall, and amputated. Died from the effects of the injuries | |
| 1873 | May | 15 | Airdriehill | New Monkland, LKS | Wm Black & sons | John Reid | Brusher | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof in the road which he was “brushing” | Newspaper report |
| 1873 | May | 16 | Blairhall | Culross, PER | Carron Iron Co | William Stein | Sinker | -- | In Ironstone mines | While filling the “kettle” after a shot, in a sinking pit, a stone fell on him | Newspaper report - Fife pages |
| 1873 | May | 16 | Shieldmuir | Cambusnethan, LKS | Summerlee Iron Co | Pat Larken | Collier | -- | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at the “stoops” | |
| 1873 | May | 20 | Cluny | Kirkcaldy, FIF | Anderson & Goodall | John Rankine | Sinker | -- | In shafts – ropes & chains breaking | By breaking of a crane rope they fell 8 or 9 fathoms. The rope was completely decayed at the point of fracture, it was 6 years old and had been laying 3 years in a store |
NB Second man was Robert Forrester Newspaper report - Fife pages |
| John Rankine | Sinker | -- | |||||||||
| 1873 | May | 28 | Bogleshole No 4 | Tollcross | James Dunlop & Co | James Allan | Driver | 15 | Miscellaneous | Was run over by hutches | Newspaper Report - Old Monkland pages |
| 1873 | May | 29 | Lochgelly | Lochgelly, FIF | Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co | Angus Low | Incline bottomer | 13 | By tubs and trams | The chain of the incline broke, and he was struck by one of the tubs | Newspaper report - Auchterderran pages |
| 1873 | May | 30 | Govan No 6 | Glasgow | W S Dixon | Chas. Kean | Roadsman | 50 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof while engaged securing it | |
| 1873 | May | 31 | Redding | Polmont, STI | Redding Colliery Co | James Easton | Loco. Brakesman | 21 | Miscellaneous on surface | He was thrown off a “race” of wagons, and run over by one of them | |
| 1873 | May | 31 | Souterhouse No 2 | Coatbridge, LKS | Souterhouse Coal Co | John Battles | Bencher | 24 | Miscellaneous | Was run over by a hutch at the foot of an incline | Newspaper Report - Old Monkland pages |
| 1873 | June | 4 | West Calder | William Smith | Not listed | Death not listed in Inspectors report | Newspaper report - Lothians pages | ||||
| 1873 | June | 5 | Addiewell | West Calder, Edinburgh | Youngs Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co Ltd | James Black | Sinker | -- | In Shale mines | Squeezed against a “bunton” at the pit-head whilst ascending a sinking pit in a “kettle” | Newspaper report - Lothians pages |
| 1873 | June | 6 | Kerse | Lochwinnoch | Hamilton & McGinnes | David Hunter | Collier | 24 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of coal at face | |
| 1873 | June | 9 | Rameldrie | Markinch, FIF | James Thomas | Robt. Gourdie | Assistant banksman | -- | Falling into shaft from surface | For want of thought, he ran a tub into the shaft when the cage was at the bottom, and he fell with it. There were no gates on the pit mouth. The cages had only been in operation for two days and the gates were not finished. | |
| 1873 | June | 23 | Rosehall No 3 | Coatbridge, LKS | Robert Addie & Sons | Michl. Downie | Fireman | 35 | Explosions | Explosion of fire damp. From Main body of report: The second was occasioned by sheer carelessness; the victim was the regular fireman, whose duty it was to descend the pit and examine the working places before the workmen were allowed to enter to their work. It is supposed that in making his round of examination he had, with the utmost apparent indifference to results, used an open light, and on coming unexpectedly in contact with an accumulation of gas it exploded, and he was fatally injured. | |
| 1873 | June | 24 | Kilmux | Kennoway, FIF | Glasgow Iron Co | Ed. Brown | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines | Fall of stone from roof at face | |
| 1873 | June | 24 | Overtown Station | Cambusnethan, LKS | James Waddell | David Armstrong | Collier | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at face | ||
| 1873 | June | 28 | Common, No 5 | Cumnock | Eglinton Iron Co | John Clark | Miner | 36 | In Ironstone mines- Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. | |
| 1873 | July | 2 | West Plean | Bannockburn | Richard Brown | Richard Stewart | Collier | 20 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | Newspaper report - Stirlingshire pages |
| 1873 | July | 3 | Motherwell | Dalziel, LKS | John Watson | William Aiton | Sinker | -- | Things falling from surface | A brick fell down the shaft and struck him on the head while working in the bottom | |
| 1873 | July | 11 | Wemyss | Wemyss, FIF | R.G.E. Wemyss | John Melville | Collier | 14 | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at face | |
| 1873 | July | 16 | Corseford | Johnstone | Lud. Houston | William Allan | Oversman | 61 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of limestone and coal at face | |
| 1873 | July | 24 | Calderbank | Baillieston | Provanhall Coal Co | John Addie | Asst. loco. Driver | 18 | Above ground | Was run over by full waggons which were shunted down an incline | |
| 1873 | July | 26 | Thornton No 6 | Kilmarnock | Archd. Finnie | Henry Hoogans | Collier | 19 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. | Newspaper report - Ayrshire pages [NB Gives name as Henry McGuiness] |
| 1873 | July | 28 | Garrion Gill | Cambusnethan, LKS | Coltness Iron Co. | James Porteous | Drawer | 23 | By tubs and trams | He was coming down a heading in front of a loaded hutch, when in the act of stepping aside, was caught by a roadside prop and crushed between it and the hutch. | |
| 1873 | July | 28 | Templand | Cumnock | Eglinton Iron Co | Francis Goldie | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines - Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof in drawing road | |
| 1873 | July | 30 | Orbiston | Bothwell, LKS | Mossend Iron Co | John Boyd | Collier | -- | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at face | Newspaper report- Bothwell pages |
| 1873 | August | 6 | Swineridgemuir | Beith | Merry & Cunningham | James Smith | Pony driver | 48 | In Ironstone mines - In Shafts | The cage was raised when the deceased was crossing the cage with an empty hutch | |
| 1873 | August | 8 | Cambusnethan | Cambusnethan, LKS | D & J Sneddon | Robt. Keirs | Collier | 40 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at the face. | |
| 1873 | August | 8 | Hill of Beath | Beath, FIF | Ord Adams | Henry Bower | Labourer | 18 | Miscellaneous on surface | Whilst uncoupling 2 wagons was jammed between the buffers. It was his first day at the work. | Newspaper report - Beath pages |
| 1873 | August | 11 | Mauldslie | Carluke, LKS | James Waddell | Robt. Hill | Collier | 35 | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at the face. Want of sprags | |
| 1873 | August | 11 | Orbiston | Bothwell, LKS | Mossend Iron Co | John Sneddon | Collier | 22 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at top of an incline From Main body of report: In the case when a fall of roof killed two men, it was said that the state of the roof was known to the manager and overman, and that the accident happened by their failure to see that it was properly secured. They were charged by the Procurator Fiscal with neglect of duty and tried before Sheriff Spens of Hamilton and a jury. They were found not guilty. | |
| Daniel Sym | Collier | 20 | |||||||||
| 1873 | August | 12 | Jawcraig | Falkirk, STI | C J Alexander | Hugh Beck | Pithead man | 60 | In shafts – miscellaneous | He had gone down into the pit in the morning to kindle a fire, and had fallen into the sump. He should not have been sent there | Newspaper report - Stirlingshire pages |
| 1873 | August | 15 | Quarry Pit | Coatbridge, LKS | W S Dixon | James Docherty | ----- | 70 | In Shafts | By going into the shaft incautiously and was struck by descending cage, injured 15 Aug, died 15 Sept | |
| 1873 | August | 15 | Rosehall | Coatbridge, LKS | Robert Addie & Sons | Owen McLuskie | Labourer | 50 | Above ground | Was run over by a waggon while disloading wood | |
| 1873 | August | 19 | Braes O'Yetts | Kirkintilloch | Thomas Fell | Edward Gallacher | Sinker | 45 | In Shafts | Fell from the kettle while being raised | |
| 1873 | August | 19 | Ravenscraig | Dalziel, LKS | Glasgow Iron Co | Alexr. Neilson | Collier | 24 | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal whilst “holing”. Want of sprags | |
| 1873 | August | 30 | Kingseat | Dunfermline, FIF | Henderson, Wallace & Co | Wm Paterson | Sinker | 39 | Falling from part way down | He was engaged along with another man in putting on a pump, and whilst screwing on a bolt, he missed his footing and fell to the bottom, a depth of 25 fathoms | Newspaper report - Fife pages |
| 1873 | September | 1 | Parkhead | Dalziel, LKS | John Watson | William Orr | Contractor for “stooping” | 40 | Falls of Coal | Fall of “head coal” at the “stoops” | |
| 1873 | September | 2 | Carfin | Bothwell, LKS | A.G. Simpson | John Rainey | Brusher | 26 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof while ridding out a road | |
| 1873 | September | 2 | Wellwood No 11 | Cumnock | Eglinton Iron Co | John Smith | Sinker | 36 | In Ironstone mines - In Shafts | Was fatally injured by a bunton falling upon him while engaged in the shaft | Newspaper report - Ayrshire pages |
| 1873 | September | 3 | Cowdenbeath | Beath, FIF | Cowdenbeath Coal Co. | James Allan | Collier | 40 | Whilst ascending or descending | Whilst ascending the shaft with two other men, the cage got out of the slides, and he fell out | Newspaper report - Beath pages |
| 1873 | September | 4 | Garrion Gill | Cambusnethan, LKS | Coltness Iron Co. | John Young | Collier | 20 | In shafts – ropes & chains breaking | His father and he had ascended the shaft, the former had stepped off, when the cage with the latter fell to the bottom. It appears that the cotteril which kept the bolt in the muzzle had come out unobserved, and the bolt had gradually worked out | |
| 1873 | September | 4 | Wishaw | Cambusnethan, LKS | James Steel | Wm. Allen | Pithead man | 50 | Miscellaneous on surface | He was moving forward a loaded wagon and got jammed | |
| 1873 | September | 9 | Springfield | Bishopbriggs | W S Dixon | Thomas Morran | Miner | -- | In Ironstone mines - Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. | |
| 1873 | September | 10 | Kingseat | Dunfermline, FIF | Henderson, Wallace & Co | Robert Condie | Collier | 47 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at the face. The fireman had told them it was bad. He should have prevented them from going down. | Newspaper report - Fife pages |
| George Condie | Collier | 20 | |||||||||
| 1873 | September | 10 | West Limerigg | Slamannan, STI | West Limerigg Coal Co | Wm Muir | Brusher | 40 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof while “brushing” a road | |
| 1873 | September | 11 | Auchenheath | Lesmahagow, LKS | Jas Fergusons Trustees | Alex. Frame | Pithead man | 50 | Falling into shaft from surface | Fell from the surface down the pit. For want of thought he ran a tub into the shaft when the cage was not there to receive it. There was a gate but it was half open at the time | |
| 1873 | September | 16 | Burnt Broom | Mount Vernon | Dunn Brothers | Henry Meikle | Labourer | 24 | In Shafts | Was struck by the cage while going into the shaft | |
| 1873 | September | 18 | Ashgill | Dalserf, LKS | Andrew Spencer | John Gardner | Roadsman | 35 | In shafts – overwinding | He and another man had gone on the cage at the surface to descend the pit. The engineman took the cage up instead of down, and Gardner getting alarmed jumped off and fell to the ground | |
| 1873 | September | 18 | Kinneil | Bo'ness, Linlithgow | George Wilson & Co | Robert Grant | Brusher | -- | Explosion of Gunpowder | He was in the act of drawing a copper needle from a shot which he had charged, when from some unexplained cause, the shot went off, and he was fatally injured. Whether there had been matches or some inflammable substance in the stemming is not known, but a careful examination failed to show anything to account for the explosion. From Main body of report: No. 51 of schedule is a remarkable accident, the deceased was in the act of drawing out a copper needle from a charge of powder, when the powder exploded. It is not at all unlikely that a match may have got into the " stemming/' but this was not proved. It was strenuously maintained by those who were working with him, that the needle was of copper. The hole was drilled in " faiks " or slaty shale, which could not emit a spark with a copper needle. | Newspaper report - Lothians pages |
| 1873 | September | 19 | Barrachnie, No 2 | Baillieston | Wm Young & Co | Francis McLauchlan | Brusher | -- | Miscellaneous | Improper use of gunpowder From Main body of report: I understand that on the night of the accident a "shot" in the roof of one of the ordinary drawing roads had failed to produce the effects required, and a second attempt was about to be made by introducing what they term a "buller shot." This is a reckless system of blasting, and it will be proper to explain it. When a "buller shot" is decided upon (of course following the failure of a shot, as above explained,) a part of the opening formed in the roof by the first explosion is selected, into which a quantity of powder is put. It is generally thrown in loosely by the hand with some sort of filler, and under such circumstances it is scarcely possible to complete the operation without dropping part of the powder on to the floor of the mine. An attempt is sometimes made to confine or reduce the opening by jamming in wood and clay, and in this rough way the powder is partly confined. In the present case it is supposed that 14 lbs. at least had been used, and it was procured from a barrel near to where the workmen were engaged. How the powder was ignited which produced this disaster cannot be distinctly stated, but as the shot was only being prepared, I have no doubt a spark from a lamp, probably while being trimmed, ignited the loose powder which lay on the floor of the mine. The flame from it would reach the powder in the opening in the roof and from that to the barrel, which was conveniently situated a few feet back. This reckless and unworkmanlike system of working ought to be nipped in the bud. I was not aware of it being practised by brushers at any pit till after the accident, and special attention has been directed to it. As the powder (25 lbs.) was taken into the mine on the night of the accident, apparently within the knowledge of the oversman, with your consent, he was charged with a contravention of the 8th General Rule, and special rules 3, 5, and 8 relating thereto. He pled guilty, and was sentenced by Sheriff Lees, of Airdrie, to pay a fine of £2, failing payment to suffer 20 days imprisonment. | |
| Thomas Murray | Brusher | -- | |||||||||
| 1873 | September | 19 | Faskine No 7 | Airdrie, LKS | Wm Baird & Co | James Reid | Miner | -- | In Shafts | Overwinding; was drawn over the pullies From Main body of report: The engineman in this case when requested to lower the case with the deceased in it, carelessly put the engine in motion, and, instead of lowering it, raised it up to the "cross-beams" and pulley, with which it came into violent contact, and the deceased was thrown or fell from the cage to the surface, a distance of 40 feet or thereby. He was mortally injured, and died soon after. The Procurator Fiscal charged the engineman with culpable homicide, as also culpable violation or neglect of duty. The case was brought before Sheriff Lees, Airdrie, when the panel pled guilty to culpable violation or neglect of duty, which was accepted by the prosecutor, and he was fined £7 or suffer 30 days' imprisonment. He went to prison. | |
| 1873 | September | 20 | Clippins, No 3 | Johnstone | Merry & Cunningham | William Reid | Miner | 21 | In Ironstone mines - Miscellaneous | By an explosion of gunpowder From Main body of report: The deceased and others were engaged by contract in a part of the mine which was "double shifted." They carried their powder into the mine in 25 lb. barrels. On the night preceding the accident, I understand that the persons engaged on that shift took a barrel of powder into the pit with them, but had not used any of it. It appears that when the day shift of- men arrived to their work they found some loose powder lying near to the barrel, and after collecting it they sat down to smoke. It is understood that one of them while trimming his lamp ignited part of the loose powder, and the whole was exploded (25 lbs.). Two deaths resulted from it. After submitting the facts, you directed that proceedings should be taken against the manager and workmen for violation of the 8th General Rule; as apparently the workmen had knowingly carried the powder into the mine contrary to the statute, and the management had acquiesced in it. Three of the workmen, after trial, were convicted by Sheriff Cowan Paisley, and each fined £2 or go to prison for thirty days. The manager, oversman, and fireman were also charged with contravention of the 8th General Rule and special rules. They pled not guilty, but after a careful trial the manager and oversman were convicted; the former was fined in the modified sum of £10, or ten days' imprisonment, and the latter was fined £2, with the same alternative. The fireman was dismissed in consideration of the short time he had acted as fireman. | |
| Samuel Stafford | Miner | 36 | |||||||||
| 1873 | September | 23 | Fauldhouse | Whitburn, Linlithgow | Wm Dixon Ltd | George Watson | Sinker | 45 | In Ironstone mines | Fell or was knocked off a plank in a sinking pit, 5 fathoms from the bottom | |
| 1873 | September | 24 | Busbie No 5 | Kilmarnock | A Finnie & son | Alexander Templeton | Collier | 17 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | September | 27 | Garrion Gill | Cambusnethan, LKS | Coltness Iron Co. | Andrew Spiers | Collier | 13 | Falls of Coal | Fall of “head coal” whilst filling a hutch | |
| 1873 | October | 2 | Kinneil | Bo'ness, Linlithgow | George Wilson & Co | Robt. Smith | Bottomer | 19 | In Ironstone mines | Found dead beneath cage in shaft bottom | |
| 1873 | October | 14 | Gauchalland, No 2 | Galston | Gauchalland Coal Co | Daniel McGuines | Engineman | 28 | Miscellaneous | Was found partly covered with water and surrounded with noxious gases | |
| 1873 | October | 18 | Old Farme | Rutherglen | James Fairrie | Hugh Carson | Brusher | 32 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | October | 20 | Boig, No 1 | N Cumnock | Lanemark Coal Co | Alex. Anderson | Boy | 15 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of coal at face | |
| 1873 | October | 22 | Castlehill | Carluke, LKS | Shotts Iron Co | Alex. Ramsay | Roadsman | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | October | 22 | Kenmuir | Tollcross | James Dunlop & Co | Sam. Bradley | Waggoner | 37 | Above ground | Fell of a train of waggons in motion | |
| 1873 | October | 24 | Bogleshole No 4 | Tollcross | James Dunlop & Co | Edward McGuire | Brusher | 50 | Miscellaneous | While blasting | |
| 1873 | October | 30 | Benhar | Whitburn, Linlithgow | Benhar Coal Co Ltd | Robert Izzat | Collier | 30 | Falls of Coal | Fall of coal at the face | |
| 1873 | October | 31 | Fergushill, No 20 | Kilwinning | Archd. Finnie | John Murray | Roadsman | 28 | In Shafts | Breakage of winding machinery while being raised | |
| Adam Scott | Roadsman | 32 | |||||||||
| 1873 | October | 31 | Greengairs | New Monkland, LKS | J & J Russell | Dan McQuire | Brusher | -- | Falling into shaft from surface | He and another were ascending the shaft. When the cage reached the surface it went up above the proper stopping place | Newspaper report |
| 1873 | November | 8 | Braes O'Yetts | Kirkintilloch | Thos Fell | James Black | Fireman | 40 | In Shafts | By the crane getting out of gear while being lowered in the shaft | |
| 1873 | November | 11 | Eastfield No 4 | Cambuslang | T G Buchanan | James Speers | Boy | 15 | In Shafts | Fell from the cage while being lowered in consequence of some irregularity in winding From Main body of report: This pit is 50 fathoms deep, and fitted in the ordinary way with cages and guides. I understand that on the morning of the accident the deceased (two boys) along with two workmen had gone on to the cage for the purpose of being lowered, but the engineman, instead of raising the cage slightly so as to allow the pitheadman to open the "shuts" and pass the cage, had unwound the rope as if the cage was being lowered; the consequence was that the rope as it left the drum lay loosely on the ground, near to, and under it. When the engineman's attention was directed to this state of things he rewound the rope (a flat hemp one) without taking the precaution to know whether it was properly done, and raised the cage until the shuts were opened, after which he lowered the cage, but, in the rapid descension, the rope was thrown off the pulley, the arms were cleared away from one side of the drum, liberating part of the rope, and the cage getting out of the guides was jammed in the shaft about 20 fathoms from the surface. The cage had evidently dropped a great part of that distance uncontrolled by the engine, and the assumption is, that it got out of the guides on the end of the slack rope being reached. When examined the cage was slightly canted, which would partly account for two of the persons upon the cage falling away. The engineman was prosecuted at common law, and charged with culpable homicide and culpable or reckless violation of duty. He pled guilty of culpable and reckless neglect of duty, and was sentenced by Sheriff Galbraith, of Glasgow, to pay a fine of £10, failing payment 4 months' imprisonment. | Newspaper report |
| Allan Maxwell | Boy | 17 | |||||||||
| 1873 | November | 14 | Uddingston | Bothwell, LKS | John Hendrie | James Differs | Collier | -- | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at the face. | |
| 1873 | November | 15 | Drumpeller, No4 | Coatbridge, LKS | Drumpellar Coal Co | Robert Davies | Collier | 21 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of coal while engaged taking it down | |
| 1873 | November | 15 | Wemyss | Wemyss, FIF | R.G.E. Wemyss | Thomas Birrel | Incline man | 19 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at top of an incline | |
| 1873 | November | 18 | Rosehall | Bothwell, LKS | Robert Addie & Sons | Patrick Laden | ----- | 16 | Falling from part way down | Fell from a mid-working (main coal) to the bottom of the pit. There was a gate but it had not been kept shut | Newspaper Report - Old Monkland pages |
| 1873 | November | 19 | Kelty | Beath, FIF | Fife Coal Co | Thos. Distrington | Sinker | 30 | Falling from part way down | Whilst coming away from a “shot” he was caught by a “bunton” and knocked out of the kettle | Newspaper report - Beath pages |
| 1873 | November | 21 | Arden | New Monkland, LKS | Wm Black & sons | James Ferguson | Collier | Whilst ascending or descending | In ascending the shaft, he attempted to jump off after the cage started and was caught by the door heads | ||
| 1873 | November | 21 | Green | Cambusnethan, LKS | Robert Bell | Robert Walker | Engineman | 33 | Falling into shaft from surface | While assisting his brother at night to get a cage into the guides, he fell down the shaft. | |
| 1873 | November | 21 | Kilbirnie No 32 | Dalry | Merry & Cunningham | David Harvie | Pitheadman | 55 | In Ironstone mines - In Shafts | While assisting to replace a cage fell into the shaft | |
| 1873 | November | 22 | Corby Craigs | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | Robert Withers | Drawer | 18 | In Ironstone mines- Miscellaneous | Was jammed by a hutch against a “crowntree” | |
| 1873 | November | 27 | Auldhouse Burn | Muirkirk | Barr & Co | Chas Clark | Collier | 17 | In Shafts | Fell down the shaft (32 fathoms) when making repairs | |
| 1873 | December | 1 | Wellwood No 1 | Muirkirk | Eglinton Iron Co | William Aird | Collier | 34 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of coal | |
| 1873 | December | 6 | Brora | Clyne, SUT | Duke of Sutherland | Andrew Anderson | Bottomer | 17 | Things falling from surface | Supposed to have been struck by a stone falling down the pit | |
| 1873 | December | 12 | Shawsburn | Dalserf, LKS | Andrew Spencer | John McWilliams | Bottomer | 35 | In shafts – miscellaneous | In attempting to go across the cage at the bottom the cage was lifted and he was drawn up and jammed against the “door heads”. There was a road around the shaft. | |
| 1873 | December | 12 | Wester Hawhill | Shettleston | Ferrier & Strain | Alex. Simpson | Boy | 14 | Above Ground | Got entangled with an incline rope | |
| 1873 | December | 19 | Bogend | Kilwinning | Eglinton Iron Co | Geo. McSkimming | Boy | 14 | Miscellaneous | Crushed by empty hutches upon an incline | |
| 1873 | December | 19 | Greenhead | Cambusnethan, LKS | Coltness Iron Co. | Francis Davidson | Collier | 29 | Falls of Coal | Fall of “head coal” whilst shearing it. He had no “spurns” and was taking down too much at one time | |
| 1873 | December | 19 | Merryton | Hamilton, LKS | Merryton Coal Co | William Clark | Roadsman | -- | Falling from part way down | Fell to the bottom while repairing a broken slide in the shaft | Newspaper report |
| 1873 | December | 20 | Prestonlinks | Tranent, Haddington | J & C Grieve | George Forbes | Roadsman | 50 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | December | 26 | Barrwood No 2 | Kilsyth | Wm Baird & Co | Alex Campbell | Asst. bricklayer | 60 | Explosions | Explosion of fire damp. From Main body of report: The third, which took place near the bottom of a pit in the act of being opened up, and where fire-damp was freely given off, proved fatal to a bricklayer's assistant, and was evidently occasioned by blundering with mixed lights. | Newspaper report |
| 1873 | December | 26 | Kilmarnock No 9 | Kilmarnock | Archd. Finnie | W Matiford | Collier | 18 | Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof | |
| 1873 | December | 27 | Pather | Cambusnethan, LKS | Coltness Iron Co. | John Roberts | Collier | 46 | Falls of Roof | Fall of roof at the face. | Newspaper report - Cambusnethan pages |
| 1873 | December | 31 | Blackstone No 1 | Cumnock | Eglinton Iron Co | Andw. Sutherland | Miner | 54 | In Ironstone mines - Falls of Coal & Roof | Fall of roof at face. |
Last Updated 3rd March 2012
