Scottish Mining Website

Fatal Accidents in Mines in Scotland 1896
- compiled from appendices to the reports of the Inspector of Mines and Collieries. Additional details from the main body of the report are given where available. Many accidents are not listed in these reports and additional names have been added from newspaper reports and other sources - information not sourced from the mine inspectors reports is indicated by a shaded gray background
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YearMonthDayName of CollieryWhere situatedOwner or CompanyFirst NameSurnameOccupationAgeCategoryCause of accident and remarksExtra details
1896January10KeltyFifeFife Coal Co LtdAndrewCowanMiner32Falls of roofFall of roof stone at face of close place. Deceased had been timbering the road through some troubled ground. While directing his men where to set additional timber, the roof fell, breaking a crown, which struck and killed him instantly. Newspaper report - Beath pages
1896January16BroomhouseLanarkHaughhead Coal CoHenryFrewManager42In shafts – falling from part way downThe rope ladder on which he was descending a blind pit gave way, and he fell to the bottom.

cThe first fatal accident happened to the manager of Broomhouse Colliery. He was travelling from the adjacent pit of Haughhead through the workings, and in order to save a long detour he was in the act of going down a wire-rope ladder fixed in a blind pit, 10 fathoms in depth. This pit was not in use, and the ladder was suspended by two eye-bolts passing through two wooden battens, which were rotten. He knew that the wood was rotten, but took the risk. The consequence was that the battens gave way when he went on the ladder, and he fell to the bottom.		  
1896January17WallyfordEdinburghDeans & MooreAdamMcNeilOncostman34Miscellaneous underground – By ropes and chains breakingDeceased and another workman were crossing the dook road carrying a trap door after the loaded rake had passed up, when the rope broke and the tubs in coming back struck him and threw him down the dook. Newspaper report
1896January22EarnockLanarkJohn Watson LtdWalterTullisMiner14Falls of roofFall of roof stone at face of close place, on returning to face after two shots had exploded.  
1896January24ChapelLanarkThomas GrayAlex.RobertsMiner34Falls of roofFall of roof stone at face of close place.  
1896January25BlackstonStirlingJas. Nimmo & Co LtdJohnPenderDrawer16Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face from above tramway which was laid along face. Newspaper report - Stirling pages
1896January25ElphinstoneHaddingtonR & J DurieA.McMillanCoal cleaner13On Surface – MiscellaneousDeceased was amusing himself by swinging on a lamp frame some distance above him, and when he let go he fell through an opening to engine-house below, a distance of 24 feet. The opening was not fenced, and was made to allow the engine-man to see the cages, Newspaper report
1896January28MurdostounLanarkJohn McAndrew & CoWilliamNolanDrawer25Falls of roofFall of roof stone near longwall face.  
1896January31Dumbreck No 2 PitStirlingWm Baird & Co LtdJas.WetherallMiner40Falls of sideFall of coal owing to the want of a sprag Newspaper report - Stirling pages
1896February3Kenmuirhill No 2 PitLanarkDunn BrothersAlexr.GrayPump attendant19In shafts – things falling from part way downFall of steam pump and pipes hung in the shaft, owing to the chains giving way.

From Main body of report: The next fatal accident happened at No. 2 Pit, Kenmuirhill, and by it two lives were lost and one man injured. The shaft is an old one, which was being enlarged, and was 63 fathoms deep to the bottom of the enlarged shaft. The lower of two steam pumps was suspended from a beam placed across the mouth of the shaft by two chains, and the total weight of pump, pipes, &c. hanging on the chains was about 29 tons. The chains were made of long links of alternate single and double bars of iron of various lengths, the single links being of 2-inch and the double links of 1 3/8-inch square iron. An eye was formed at the ends of each bar by bending and welding a collar round the double part. Pins 2 1/2- inches in diameter passed through the eyes and connected the links together. It seems that the pumps were being repaired, and after the bottom pump was re-started it did not work properly, every down stroke being accompanied by such a violent blow that the pump and pipes jumped vertically several inches. The three men were on the scaffold attached to the lower pump about 13 feet above the water in the bottom, when the two chains gave way. The consequence was that pump and pipes, &c. fell to the bottom. The deceased apparently fell into the water and were kept down by the debris, while the other man managed to extricate himself. 		Newspaper report - Lanarkshire pages
JohnMartinSinker45
1896February12BogLanarkHamilton McCulloch & CoAlex.MaxwellRoadsman31Falls of roofFall of roof stone while drawing wood from stooping place. The roof came away suddenly from an unseen lype which deceased had just relieved.  
1896February17KirkhillLanarkKirkhill Coal CoAllanAllisonMiner30Falls of sideFall of stone from side of road near his working face.  
1896February19EddlewoodLanarkJohn Watson LtdJohnMillarMiner38Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face. Deceased was a Pole, and the name given was the name he was known by. Newspaper report - Hamilton pages
1896February19WallyfordEdinburghDeans & MooreJosephQueenDirt picker17On surface – By machineryIn crossing the travelling table to reach a dross waggon, his clothes were caught between the plates and he was drawn under and strangled. He went through the fence put up for protection. Newspaper report
1896February21CadzowLanarkCadzow Coal Co LtdCharlesReidBottomer21Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planesWhile bringing out a rake of full hutches attached to bogie on endless rope haulage road came too far and collided with other hutches and was crushed. Deceased was not authorised to interfere with the rakes.  
1896February22MuiredgeFifeBowman & CoAndrewMillarpitheadman50On Surface – On railways and tramwaysWhile attempting to sprag waggon with pit prop, contrary to additional Special Rule 4, was thrown by it before waggon and run over.  
1896February29Lanemark No 2 PitAyrLanemark Coal CoJohnRollieMiner34Explosions of fire damp or coal dustFire-damp accumulated in the stooped waste ignited when he entered his place to commence work.  
1896March3EarnockLanarkJohn Watson LtdGabrielSempleCollier32Falls of roofFall of roof stone in stooping. Deceased was apparently working coal off side of pillar from an old road in advance of his working face.  
1896March5Little RaithFifeLochgelly Iron & Coal Co LtdJohnBrownMiner22Falls of sidesFall of coal at longwall face.  
1896March7Jellieston No 2 PitAyrDalmellington Iron Co LtdJas.RutledgeDrawer13Miscellaneous underground – By machineryWhile playing with another boy they fell across rope of self-acting incline, and he was carried up round drum.  
1896March13Dalziel No 2 PitLanarkWishaw Coal CoPatrickMcGichanMiner50Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesPremature ignition of a shot. Supposed to have lit the squib instead of the match. Newspaper report - Lanarkshire pages
1896March15LoanheadEdinburghShotts Iron CoRobertHughesRepairer40Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planesDeceased from the upper deck of the carriage on winding incline had been assisting two men on lower deck in repairing incline, and when the work was finished the carriage was drawn to the surface, and deceased was crushed against upper landing.  
1896March19QuarterLanarkColin Dunlop & CoJohnWilsonShiftman30In shafts – falling from part way downDeceased was repairing a cage seat at a mid- working. While testing a plank by stamping upon it with one foot, it broke, and he fell with it to pit bottom, a distance of 11 fathoms.  
1896March23AuchinraithLanarkMerry & Cunninghame LtdJosephRobertsonMiner18Falls of roofFall of coal roof. He came out below the coal brushing just as his neighbours wedged it down.  
1896March24North MotherwellLanarkMerry & Cunninghame LtdDavidLairdPony driver38Falls of roofFall of roof on road, caused by his pony bolting into an airway and knocking out a prop. Newspaper report - Lanarkshire pages
1896March27GlespinLanarkRobert SwannJamesOstlerMiner32Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesDeceased and a fellow workman were preparing charges for two shots when the powder in their cans suddenly exploded, burning both men severely. Deceased succumbed to his injuries 11 days afterwards. There was no evidence to show how the powder was ignited.  
1896March28MuiredgeFifeBowman & CoMalcolmMcDougallMiner18Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896March30Straiton (Oil shale)EdinburghClippens Oil Co LtdJohnBellFireman30Explosions of fire damp or coal dustIgnited fire-damp in a heading in the Broxburn Oil Shale seam by a lighted open lamp which he was improperly carrying along with a safety lamp, when making the statutory inspection before the commencement of shift.  
1896April6KeltyFifeFife Coal Co LtdOwenMcAleerContractor sinker42In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machineryWood was being sent down a sinking pit and a bar was placed in position projecting over the shaft. Deceased came up on muzzle and was descending on the kettle, when it came in contact with the bar, and he was jerked off and fell into the shaft. Newspaper report - Beath accidents
1896April9Viewpark No 1 PitLanarkRobt Addie & Sons Collieries LtdAlexr.PollockDrawer16In shafts – MiscellaneousWhile waiting for the descent of the cage a loaded hutch, which he had just left, run forward and knocked him into the cage seat, when the cage came down on him.  
1896April11Pennyvenie No 2 PitAyrDalmellington Iron Co LtdJohnMurphyLabourer76On Surface – On railways and tramwaysJammed between wall of coal-washing machinery by a waggon, which he and others were shifting.  
1896April13FordellFifeFordell TrusteesWilliamGeorgeLocomotive fireman27On surface – boiler burstingExplosion of locomotive boiler. The engine was standing at time of explosion. The shell gave way at a point where a crack had been observed and stop rivet inserted.  
1896April13MotherwellLanarkJohn Watson LtdFrancisHigginsBrusher27Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesDeceased was charging a brushing shot when his powder was ignited by a spark from an open light or from a tobacco pipe. He was severely burned and died two days afterwards. Newspaper report - Lanarkshire pages
1896April13NetherjohnstoneLanarkLord BelhavenJosephGreenMiner31Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896April24Glengarnock (Ironstone)AyrGlengarnock Iron & Steel Co LtdRobt.MortonWood setter45Falls of roofFall of roof on road while enlarging it.  
1896April24ShottsLanarkShotts Iron CoJohnMcConnonBrusher36Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896April27FairholmLanarkHamilton Colliery CoGavinWinningWaggon shifter20On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased was running two loaded trucks from a screen down to the siding. He was hanging upon the brake lever at front end of the rear waggon with his legs swinging under the buffers, when his foot caught, he fell upon the rail and both wheels passed over his legs and arm. Newspaper report - Dalserf pages
1896April27FerniegairLanarkArchibald RussellThos.WhitelawMiner22Falls of sidesFall of coal at face of stooping,  
1896April28Roxhall No 5 PitLanarkRobt Addie & Sons Collieries LtdGeo.McCormickBrusher17Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesA shot blew through from one place to another and struck him.  
1896April29BathvilleLinlithgowJames Wood LtdRobertTorranceScreenman20On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased attempted to sprag the front wheel of a moving waggon with a pit prop. The prop was twisted backwards, and knocked deceased in front of the rear wheel which caused compound fractures of both legs. He died seven hours afterwards.  
1896May2HartwoodhillLanarkShotts Iron CoChasMcLeanMiner55Miscellaneous underground – By trams and tubsDeceased was drawing in front of a double snibbled loaded tub, on a road dipping 1 in 6. He lost control of it, and was crushed against a prop at the platform, sustaining injuries which terminated fatally two days afterwards.  
1896May6BirkriggLanarkDarngavil Coal Co LtdAndrewBinnieMiner60Explosions of fire damp or coal dustIgnited fire-damp at longwall face in Upper Drumgray seam by an open light.  
1896May6Common No 11 PitAyrWm Baird & Co LtdSamuelTorranceBrusher19Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesA shot was being fired, and he returned too soon, when it went off. He thought the fuse had not lighted.  
1896May7KingseatFifeWallace BrothersJohnLindsayCoal cleaner11On Surface – On railways and tramwaysShunting operatic as were being carried on by North British Railway locomotive, and a train of loaded waggons was moving slowly on the main line close by the pit; the boy left his work at the cleaning table, and came down towards the screens, and in going round stepped on to main line right in front of moving train and was run over.  
1896May13Blantyre No 2 PitLanarkWm Dixon LtdAndrewJohnstoneMiner20Falls of sideFall of coal and stone. Newspaper Report - Blantyre pages
1896May14BellsdykeLanarkBellsdyke Coal CoJas.TurnbullBrusher39Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896May18BridgenessLinlithgowBridgeness Coal CoPeterConnellSinker35In shafts – MiscellaneousDeceased and some others were redding out and repairing a shaft which had been disused for about 35 years. While examining the suction of a steam pump, some debris slipped from the opposite side of the shaft and crushed his head between the suction pipe and the shaft Newspaper report
1896May18LongriggendLanarkJames Nimmo & Co LtdAlex.HendersonMiner34Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896May26Bredisholm No 6 PitLanarkGlasgow Iron & Steel Co LtdWm.KirkwoodMiner50Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896May29HallsideLanarkJas Dunlop & Co LtdJas.RamsayMiner23Falls of roofFall of roof at working face, Newspaper report
1896May29LochheadFifeLochhead Fire-clay CoJamesMalcolmMiner19Falls of sidesFall of fireclay at longwall face.  
1896May30LumphinnansFifeCowdenbeath Coal Co LtdRobertJonesSinker24In shafts – ropes and chains breakingA steam crane was in use for raising stuff from a sinking pit 11 fathoms down. At end of wire rope was an iron cylinder acting as hose and balance weight, and the rope broke next this cylinder(probably weakened by fracture or cutting of wires caused by the balance weight coming in contact with pulley of crane), allowing a kettle full of stones to fall down shaft.  
1896June8BowhillFifeBowhill Coal Co LtdHenrySwanSinker20On surface – By machineryWhile assisting to move a single cylinder vertical beam pumping-engine off centre by moving fly wheel, fell on wheel and was crushed.  
1896June8Carfin No 6 PitLanarkWm Dixon LtdThos.CoffeyFireman26Explosions of fire damp or coal dustHe entered with a naked light disused workings which had not been inspected.  
1896June12Bredisholm No 3 PitLanarkGlasgow Iron & Steel CoAndrewBuchanMiner53Falls of sideFall of coal.  
1896June12StraitonEdinburghClippens Oil Co LtdJos.WoodLabourer70On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased was oiling the rollers on a double haulage road, along which the tubs were drawn by an endless chain at a speed of about three miles per hour. When stepping out of the way of an approaching empty tub he got in front of a loaded one going in the opposite direction, which knocked him down, inflicting fatal injuries.  
1896June13HaughheadLanarkHaughhead Coal CoAndrewForsythshaftsman54In shafts – MiscellaneousA piece of a broken plunger casing fell on his foot. The casing was being taken out.  
1896June13ShieldsLanarkGlasgow Iron & Steel CoDavidRoySinker46In shafts – things falling from part way downA plank placed in the water barrel while ascending caught the buntons, broke, and fell on him. The barrel displaced three buntons, which also fell down the shaft. Newspaper report - Cambusnethan pages
1896June15BellfieldAyrGlengarnock Iron & Steel Co LtdRobertWyllieMiner20Explosions of fire damp or coal dustFire-damp ignited at a naked light, when the miners entered their places in the morning. Other two men were injured.

From Main body of report: The explosion at Bellfield Colliery resulted in the death of one miner and the injury of other two. It seems that fire-damp had several times been ignited at the stooped waste a short time previously, and, although there was practically no air current, the miners were allowed to continue at work with naked lights. The manager was charged with failing to provide adequate ventilation in terms of General Rule 1, and was fined £10. At my request, safety lamps were recently introduced in another section of this colliery where fire-damp had been found in the waste close to the stoops which were being taken out. Since then, the miners have sent me a petition requesting that the use of naked lights might be resumed, apparently preferring to risk their lives to putting up with the slight inconvenience of using safety lamps. 		Newspaper report
1896June18Cults (Limestone)FifeJames MartinRobertScottMiner41Falls of roofFall of limestone from roof near working  
1896June19Quarter No 1 PitStirlingWm Baird & Co LtdMatthewSharpBrusher28Falls of roofFall of roof on haulage road, while working upon road.  
1896June30BalgonieFifeC B BalfourWilliamGilmourMiner53Falls of sidesFall of coal at face of close place in top section of Dysart seam, above longwall waste of bottom section.  
1896July1Lanemark No 2 PitAyrLanemark Coal CoHughGallacherMiner30Falls of roofFall of roof on road, while passing along it,  
1896July1LevenFifeFife Coal Co LtdDuncanBirrellRepairer52Falls of roofFall of roof stone while repairing wheel brae.  
1896July8BalbardieLinlithgowBalbardie Colliery Co LtdJohnMcIntyreJoiner24On Surface – MiscellaneousA pithead frame was being erected. One tress was raised, and deceased were on the top adjusting ropes for the purpose of raising the second tress, when it fell and carried them with it. The wooden piles to which the guy ropes were fixed came out of the ground. Newspaper report
Thos.BroadfootJoiner27
1896July11AvondaleLanarkAvondale Coal CoJamesDalzielBlacksmith50On Surface – MiscellaneousWhile dismounting an engine at an abandoned pit, deceased fell through an opening in the floor.  
1896July13BlackstonRenfrewWm Black & Sons LtdJohnMcGooganLabourer63On Surface – On railways and tramwaysCaught between the buffers of railway waggons.  
1896July14Meiklehill No 5 pitDumbartonJas. Wood LtdWilliamCrooksMiner65Falls of sideFall of coal.  
1896July20FordellFifeFordell TrusteesRobertBirrellContractor brusher36In shafts – ropes and chains breakingThe buntons and slides in pit had been partly removed and partly set back so as to give room for lowering pumping plant. One winding rope was in use with a kettle attached, on the rim of which deceased and another man were standing ; to the other rope a pipe was hung as a balance weight. This pipe appears to have caught on some of the woodwork left in the shaft and then falling away, broke the chain next to the rope and knocked deceased off the kettle in its fall. Newspaper Report
1896July26BrownysideLanarkWm Black & Sons LtdThos.BaillieBlacksmith60In shafts – falling into shaft from surfaceA flat wire rope was being stitched, and while deceased was engaged at it, the iron glands which held the bottom portion of the rope and cage suspended in the shaft slipped, and the rope fell down the shaft carrying deceased with it. Newspaper report
1896July28Roman Camp (Oil shale)LinlithgowBroxburn Oil Co LtdJohnGordonMiner50Falls of roofFall of roof stone in stooping place.  
1896July30Bothwell Park No 2 PitLanarkWm Baird & Co LtdRobt.KirkwoodBrusher26Falls of roofFall of roof on road, while travelling along it.  
1896August3Overton No 1 PitAyrGlengarnock Iron & Steel CoJas.McIvorsBrusher--Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesWhile firing a shot, he failed to get clear in time. Newspaper Report
1896August7NiddrieEdinburghNiddrie & Benhar Coal Co LtdWilliamAllanMiner36Falls of sidesFall of coal at longwall face.  
1896August12ReddingStirlingJames Nimmo & Co LtdWm.JohnstoneMiner26Falls of roofFall of roof stone on longwall road near face while engaged repairing it. Newspaper report - Stirling pages
1896August17QuarterLanarkColin Dunlop & CoJohnGemmellMiner30Falls of roofFall of roof stone at face of close place.  
1896August17TwecharDumbartonWm Baird & Co LtdJos.CrawfordLocomotive brakesman18On Surface – On railways and tramwaysWhile uncoupling waggons from locomotive, he fell and was run over by locomotive.  
1896August19Hamilton PalaceLanarkBent Colliery Co LtdJohnLynesHaulage-man44Falls of roofA rail being conveyed on hutches struck and knocked out a prop. The roof gave way and fell on him.  
1896August24LongriggLanarkJames Nimmo & Co LtdDavidDickLocomotive driver42On Surface – On railways and tramwaysIn coming down a steep incline, with a train of loaded waggons, the brakesman missed his sprags and train ran away, deceased jumped off his engine, and in doing so, came in contact with waggons standing on another roadway, and was thrown back among the wheels of the moving train.  
1896August25Lightshaw No 1 PitAyrWm Baird & Co LtdJamesMacdonaldMiner50Falls of sideFall of coal.  
1896August26HareshawLanarkHareshaw Coal CoPeterBlackMiner21In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machineryDeceased was ascending a shaft in the cage with his graith when by some means he fell from the cage.  
1896August26Pumpherston (Oil shale)EdinburghPumpherston Oil Co LtdEdwardReynoldsMiner36Falls of sidesFall of oil shale at face of close place. Newspaper report - Lothian pages
1896August31HallsideLanarkJas Dunlop & Co LtdWm.RussellMiner32Falls of roofFall of roof at working face. Newspaper report
1896September2LongriggendLanarkJames Nimmo & Co LtdAlex.MuirMiner22Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896September5Cleland No 40 PitLanarkRavenshall Coal CoArchd.SommervilleMiner19Falls of sideFall of coal through want of sprags.  
1896September7Tannochside No 2 PitLanarkCalderbank Steel & Coal Co LtdJohnMcCuskerMiner54Falls of roofFall of roof at working face. Newspaper report- Bothwell pages
1896September11CarberryEdinburghDeans & MooreGeo.MorrisonMiner43Falls of sidesFall of coal in close place.  
1896September12MerrytonLanarkMerryton Coal CoJohnMoodieMiner25Falls of roofFall of roof stone while drawing the last of the props from a cut which had been taken off a stoop. Newspaper report - Hamilton pages
1896September15Ayr, Drumley No 1 PitAyrGeorge Taylor & CoJohnNimmoSinker33In shafts – things falling from part way downThe rope with muzzle attached was being wound up the shaft. The pin of muzzle attached by chain, was hanging loose, when something caught it. The chain broke, and the pin fell down the shaft, striking him on the head.  
1896September16CornsillochLanarkArchibald RussellWilliam W.RaeMiner25Explosions of fire damp or coal dustIgnited fire-damp on longwall road in the Virtuewell seam, where they were redding a fall and using open lights. Newspaper report - Dalserf pages
JamesCummingsMiner27
1896September23KinnedarFifeFifeshire Main Colliers LtdPhilipCoyneWaggon shunter25On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased was shunting a loaded truck. When stepping aside after unhooking the horse's tail chain, his heel slipped in between the switch and the stock rail, and before he could extricate it the wheel ran forward upon him, crushing his leg and abdomen. Newspaper Report
1896September23Springside No 11 PitAyrA Kenneth & SonsJosephAshwoodMiner40Falls of roofFall of roof and coal.  
1896September25BentLanarkBent Colliery Co LtdWilliamCrawfordBrass picker13On Surface – On railways and tramwaysCrushed between stationary and moving waggons while crossing rails close to pit.  
1896October1Douglas Park No 1 PitLanarkWilson's & Clyde Coal Co LtdJas.DuffyMiner30Falls of roofFall of roof and a small part of coal at working face.  
1896October7BathvilleLinlithgowJames Wood LtdJamesMcKinnonStone picker14On surface – By machineryDeceased appeared to have been oiling the engine of the picking table when in motion, to have slipped on the sole plate and fallen under the crank. The engine was stopped without delay, but not until he had received fatal injuries.  
1896October7Portland No 8 PitAyrWm Baird & Co LtdWm.McLellandMiner30Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896October13Carfin No 7 PitLanarkWm Dixon LtdJohnMurrayWaggon shifter21On Surface – On railways and tramwaysWhilst spragging a waggon, the sprag knocked him in front of the wheels, and he was run over.

From Main body of report: A waggon shifter, while illegally attempting to sprag the wheels by inserting a long prop, was knocked by the sprag in front of the wheels, run over and killed.		  
1896October14DalbeathFifeFife Coal Co LtdRobertRossMiner24Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896October15Bannockburn No 1 PitStirlingAlloa Coal CoWm.WynnMiner42Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896October20NewbattleEdinburghLothian Coal Co LtdWm.NelsonChain runner19Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planesWhile coming up a dook road sitting on the first tub of the rake, his head came in contact with a crown, stunning him and causing him to fall off, whereby he was crushed between the tubs and the wall side.  
1896October21Gauchalland No 4 PitAyrGauchalland Coal CoWm.CraigCarter60On Surface – MiscellaneousBy his horse swerving over an embankment, he fell off the cart.

From Main body of report: A carter lost his life by his horse falling over a loading bank, and by being himself pitched out of the cart.		  
1896October24Bogleshole No 4 PitLanarkJas Dunlop & Co LtdWm.WinningBrusher40Falls of roofFall of roof while drawing props at stoops. Newspaper report- Bothwell pages
1896October30KeltyFifeFife Coal Co LtdMichaelBrownMiner34Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesDeceased worked in an upset, and after boring a hole he went to the level road to prepare a charge, and while doing so the contents of the flask, about 3 lbs. of gunpowder, was ignited by a spark from his lamp which was either on his cap or placed near the flask.  
1896October31SouthfieldStirlingWilliam Black & Sons LtdJamesKiddBlacksmith52On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased was replacing a bolt underneath a waggon which stood among some others in a siding near to the pit. A train of empty waggons pushed into the siding, buffered against those already there, and before deceased could get out of the way he sustained injuries to which he succumbed 18 days afterwards. Newspaper report
1896November4Cults (Limestone)FifeJames MartinGeorgeSimpsonMiner47Falls of roofFaff of limestone from roof near working face.  
Alex.SimpsonMiner19
1896November6Hamilton PalaceLanarkBent Colliery Co LtdJas.ConnollyMiner37Falls of sideFall of stone from side of travelling road while passing along it.  
1896November10BellfieldLanarkWilliam Barr & SonsDavidNeilsonBrusher47Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896November12RossLanarkThomas BarrSamuelMcCookBrusher25Falls of roofFall of roof stone in longwall waste while getting stones for buildings.  
1896November13ArnistonEdinburghArniston Coal Co LtdAdamRamageMiner46Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face. Newspaper report
1896November18Auchren (Limestone)LanarkW & R WaddellJohnBarrMiner46Fall of sideFall of limestone from working face in which deceased was boring a hole to blast it down.  
1896November18ColtnessLanarkColtness Iron Co LtdWm.ChalmersLoader13On Surface – On railways and tramwaysDeceased was employed at a briquette works in connexion with the collieries, and was run over by a waggon which he was moving.  
1896November24Blantyre FarmeLanarkA. G. Moore & Co.JohnPresherMiner22Falls of roofFall of roof at working face. Newspaper report- Bothwell pages
1896November25BrownleeLanarkArchibald RussellDavidMcCraeStone miner20Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesTwo shots of gelignite were ready to fire at face of stone mine. Deceased and another miner applied their lights to the fuses. Deceased's shot apparently did not light when they had to retire. He returned when one shot exploded and the second went off.  
1896November27BellfieldLanarkWilliam Barr & SonsJohnCorneliusMiner44Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesWhile taking out some cartridges of compressed gunpowder from his canister, containing 2 1/2lbs., a spark fell from his lamp, which was on his cap, into the canister, igniting the contents, and causing an explosion.  
1896November27Bothwell Park No 1 PitLanarkWm Baird & Co LtdWm.FrewDrawer15Miscellaneous underground – By trams and tubsRun over by hutch while drawing in front of it.  
1896November30LassodieFifeThos. Spowart & Co LtdWm.CampbellMiner--Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896November30NewbattleEdinburghLothian Coal Co LtdJosephBrownDook bottomer42Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planesDeceased was riding up an engine dook in front of a set of loaded tubs, in direct violation of his instructions. He fell or was knocked off, receiving injuries which resulted in his death three hours afterwards. Newspaper report
1896December1CrosshillFifeAnthony WatsonGeorgeSimpsonMiner34Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesWhile lighting the patent fuse of gunpowder, shot apparently ignited the powder in fuse, and was killed by the shot.  
1896December3DrumsmuddenAyrDalmellington Iron Co LtdThos.McLuskieMiner38Explosions of fire damp or coal dustUpon returning to his working place half an hour after firing a shot a naked light ignited fire-damp. Another man was injured.  
1896December4CowdenbeathFifeFife Coal Co LtdThos.CarolanSinker23In shafts – things falling from part way downA loose plank fell down sinking pit, but where it had fallen from could not be ascertained.  
1896December9Hallhill No 1 PitLanarkWm Baird & Co LtdThos.StirlingMiner56Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896December9MuiredgeFifeBowman & CoGeorgeHunterMiner15Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
RobertBrownMiner20
1896December10Banknock, Camerton PitStirlingJohn Young & CoWm.McKenzieMiner20Falls of roofFall of roof at working face.  
1896December12BentLanarkBent Colliery Co LtdJohnPotterWaggon trimmer55On Surface – On railways and tramwaysA waggon which deceased was trimming was moved forward and deceased was crushed by it.  
1896December14Carfin No 3 PitLanarkLoganlea Coal Co LtdJohnBoyleMiner30Falls of roofFall of roof at working face and road head. Newspaper report - Lanarkshire pages
1896December16CornsillochLanarkArchibald RussellJamesNinnesMiner55Miscellaneous underground – By explosivesDeceased and another miner lighted their shots in adjacent places at the same time. The other miner's shot exploded and deceased not knowing it had been lighted thought it was his shot, and returned to his place, and was killed by his shot exploding.  
1896December19WellwoodAyrWm Baird & CoWm.SteeleMiner42Falls of roofFall of coal while working where he had been prohibited from working.  
1896December21East ParkheadLanarkWilson's & Clyde Coal Co LtdJohnSmithMiner45Falls of sideFall of coal.  
1896December23BatonriggLanarkMorningside Coal CoJohnDelaneyStone picker13On surface – By machineryDeceased leaned against or sat upon a batten which fenced the driving shaft of a picking table. His jacket was caught by the projecting head of a set screw in a collar on the shaft, he was pulled backwards and whirled several times round the shaft before the engine could be stopped.  
1896December24ArnistonEdinburghArniston Coal Co LtdAndrewJackFireman73Miscellaneous underground – By ropes and chains breakingDeceased was riding up an engine dook on one of a set of loaded tubs without having received permission from the manager. A coupling broke near the front of the set which ran back. Deceased jumped or fell off, and was killed on the spot.  
1896December26BrownleeLanarkArchibald RussellRobertTaylorMiner23Falls of roofFall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896December29Garscube No 1 PitDumbartonR Addie & Sons Collieries LtdThos.McLeanMiner21Explosions of fire damp or coal dustUpon entering his working place his naked light ignited fire-damp. It is suspected that a proper inspection had not been made by the fireman.

From Main body of report: Another fatal explosion shows how important,it is that the fireman in making his inspection previous to the commencement of the shift should, as required by the special rules, mark with chalk the day of the month upon such a part of each working face as would clearly prove that he had examined it properly. In this case a branch heading 12 yards long was driven 8 yards back from a level face. The ''brushing" face in each road was 4 yards back from the coal face, and the fireman when making his inspection put the date only on the brushing face of each road. The deceased miner came to commence his day's work, and in going up the coal face from the level his naked light ignited an accumulation of fire-damp, and he was fatally injured, The fireman stated that he went along the working face from one road to the other and found no trace of gas, but it is obvious that had he put his chalk marks on the coal face as required by the regulations, there would have been no grounds for the suspicion that he only went as far as the brushing face of each road.		  
1896December31Springside No 10 PitAyrA Kenneth & SonsDanielCaffertyPlatelayer67On Surface – On railways and tramwaysWhile jumping up on a service bogie, he fell off, and the wheel passed over his leg.  
Last Updated 28th May 2012