Misc. Lanarkshire pre-1855 Accidents

4 October 1776

Friday last a collier at Camlachie coal works, was unluckily killed, having fallen from the mouth of the coal pit to the bottom, being upwards of 50 fathoms deep. [Edinburgh Advertiser 8 October 1776]

October 1786

A few days ago the following melancholy accident happened at one of the coal pits at Camlachie:- While the empty bucket was going down, it unfortunately loosened from its hinges, and in its fall struck a bearer woman out of the other bucket that was coming up, and falling to the bottom of the pit, (about 50 fathoms), she was killed on the spot. [Edinburgh Advertiser 24 October 1786]

25 February 1788

The following melancholy accident happened in a coal-pit, in the parish of Campsie, in the lands of Benclough, belonging to Sir Archibald Edmonton of Duntreath, Bt, about nine miles north from Glasgow, on Feb. 25. Three colliers went down the pit in the morning, with the view of making an opening into an old waste, wherein they suspected to find a quantity of water, which, upon opening the waste, accordingly they did. The water came slowly forward to the bottom of the pit, when two more young men went down out of curiosity to see the water let out. Immediately after they went down, the water came out in a great quantity, which run up the pit two or three yards, but immediately subsided, when the pit filled with bad air, and they all perished. [Scots Magazine 1788]

11 & 16 May 1800

Yesterday se'ennight at Faskine colliery, in the parish of Old Monkland, while eight men and three women were at work in a pit, the pit took fire, owing to a trap door having been left open, by which they were all shockingly burned; one of the men is since dead. A nearly similar accident happened on Friday to four men who were at work in a coal pit near Rutherglen; they were all miserably burnt, and one of them is since dead. [Caledonian Mercury 19 May 1800]

6 November 1800

On the evening of the 6th inst., Thomas Urie, a collier, at Strathbungo, near Glasgow, fell into a waste coal pit and was killed. [Caledonian Mercury 20 November 1800]

4 October 1804

On Thursday afternoon when a collier and blacksmith were descending a coal-pit, at Fullerton works, about three miles east from Glasgow, the basket in which they stood was overset by an empty one coming up, when the collier, being thrown out, fell to the bottom and instantly expired. The blacksmith, in supporting himself by the rope, dislocked his shoulder. [Caledonian Mercury 8 October 1804]

9 January 1805

Wednesday afternoon, while a boy was driving a horse and basket in a coal pit, at Fullerton, about four miles from Glasgow, the basket struck against a post fixed to support the roof, which gave way, and a large stone fell upon the boy, which killed him upon the spot. [Caledonian Mercury 14 January 1805]

2 August 1805

Friday night, about seven o'clock, one of the workmen at Govan Colliery fell from the scaffold to the bottom of the pit, in which there was 10 fathoms of water. His body was not got out until nearly two hours after the accident. A wife and four small children are left behind him in a destitute condition. [Caledonian Mercury 5 August 1805]

15 April 1806

On Tuesday night, a large stone fell from the roof of a coal pit at Fullarton, about four miles east from Glasgow, by which a boy about ten years of age, and a horse, were killed on the spot. [Caledonian Mercury 19 April 1806]

11 July 1806

Friday morning, _________ Donald, an Irish labourer at Fullarton colliery, was found dead at the bottom of one of the coal pits. It is supposed that he fell in the preceding night. [Edinburgh Weekly Journal 16 July 1806]

14 July 1806

On Monday morning, about 5 o'clock, the foul air of a coal pit at Dalziel, near Hamilton, became inflammable and went off with such violence as to make part of the roof of the pit fall, by which three men were killed; they have all left numerous families. A ladder was thrown nearly half a mile from the roof of the pit. [Edinburgh Weekly Journal 16 July 1806]

15 July 1806

On Tuesday, ______ Deans, a labourer at Fullarton Colliery, four miles east from Glasgow, when shifting a loaded waggon near the mouth of the pit, the hind part of the tram struck him on the thigh, by which he tumbled into the pit, fell to the bottom, forty fathoms deep, and was killed on the spot. [Edinburgh Weekly Journal 18 July 1806]

11 October 1806

[On Saturday], when a labourer was working at the mouth of a coal pit a little south from Gorbals toll-bar, his clothes got entangled with one of the coal baskets, by which he fell to the bottom of the pit, an was killed on the spot. [Caledonian Mercury 16 October 1806]

13 March 1807

Friday morning a boy, who used to drive a horse in a coal pit at Clyde iron works, in descending the pit by the rope, fell to the bottom and was killed on the spot. There was no person at the pit mouth when he went down, and it is supposed his hands had slipped the rope, from being over heated, or from their being wet. [Caledonian Mercury 16 March 1807]

4 November 1811

On Monday, a man fell into a coal-pit at Campsie and had both his legs broken by the fall ; and a similar accident befel a woman at Greenend, Monkland, who was in consequence so much hurt that her recovery is not expected. They were both taken to the Royal Infirmary Glasgow. [Caledonian Mercury 7 November 1811]

18 December 1811

On Friday last, at West-thorn colliery, about two miles east from Glasgow, a collier was killed by an explosion of fire-damp in one of the pits. He has left a wife and four children. Another man was severely hurt. [Caledonian Mercury 21 December 1811]

15 August 1812

On Saturday, at Mr Dick's coal works in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, a man, while attempting to seize a coal bucket at the mouth of the pit, fell in and was killed on the spot. [Caledonian Mercury 20 August 1812]

2 March 1813

On Tuesday, the 2d current, a boy, the son of David Dun, collier in Rutherglen, while at his work in one of the coal-pits at Stonelaw, was much bruised by a fall from the roof; he was carried to the Infirmary, and died on Thursday following. [Caledonian Mercury 15 March 1813]

10 March 1813

On Wednesday last, while Andrew Arbucle was at work at Eastfield coal-pit, a large stone fell from the roof on his back, which is said to be broken in several places; he was carried to the Glasgow Infirmary, and little hopes are entertained of his recovery. [Caledonian Mercury 15 March 1813]

1 September 1814

On Thursday morning, an explosion of foul air took place in General Spens's colliery at Rutherglen. Two young men, brothers, were killed; and another man had his face and arms much burnt, and his body wounded by the pick-axes striking him, and fracturing his shoulder bone. He now lies in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, dangerously ill. [Caledonian Mercury 5 September 1814]

John Morrison, the man hurt on Thursday se'ennight, at General Spens's colliery, and taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, died on Monday night. He has left a wife and family. [Caledonian Mercury 12 September 1814]

29 August 1815

Tuesday morning there was a melancholy accident at Garbraid colliery, near Glasgow.- James and George Duncan, father and son, were ascending the pit, when the basket upset, and they were thrown with great violence to the bottom. The father was killed on the spot. The son was carried to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow; but, as both his thigh bones are fractured, and his face and forehead traversed by a very deep cut, his recovery is not expected. [Caledonian Mercury 31 August 1815]

5April 1816

Friday forenoon, the following melancholy accident happened at Govan colliery, near Glasgow: - About ten o'clock, as a waggoner was driving eight waggons on the railway from one hill to another, three boys were diverting themselves on the road side. He had just passed them, when, hearing a cry, he looked about, and saw the hindmost wheel of a waggon, loaded with coals, passing over the neck of one of the boys. The body was taken to the, Gorbals Police Office, and proved to be David Murdoch, son of Mr Murdoch boot-closer, Rutherglen Loan. He was about eight years of age. [Caledonian Mercury 8 April 1816]

16 January 1817

On Thursday last, as a collier of the name of Gathram was ascending a coal pit at Bankhead, near Rutherglen, a hook attached to his body by leathern harness, entangled with the descending bucket, and precipitated him to the bottom. As he fell seventeen fathoms, he was killed on the spot. He has left a widow and family. [Caledonian Mercury 25 January 1817]

22 January 1818

On Thursday, a labourer, of the name of Robert Morton, was killed in a coal-pit belonging to Mr Farie, near Stonelaw, by an explosion of firedamp. He has left a widow and family. [Edinburgh Advertiser 27 January 1818]

24 October 1818

On Saturday, the following melancholy accident happened at Govan Colliery:- A boy, having gone to the pit with his father's dinner, was running past, at the time the hutch was elevated for the purpose of lowering, and was dashed by it into the pit with such violence that killed him in a moment. The feelings of the agonised mother who had no notice of the accident till the dead body of her son was brought home, may be conceived, but cannot easily be described. [Edinburgh Advertiser 30 October 1818]

11 May 1820

On Thursday night, about 12 o'clock, as a man, at some coal works a little east from Glasgow was rising from his seat at the fire, to go home he lost his balance, reeled, fell down the pit and was killed on the spot, it is supposed by concussion, as no marks of injury are apparent, with the exception of a trifling abrasion of the skin of the forehead. [Caledonian Mercury 18 May 1820]

28 October 1821

A distressing accident took place at Stonelaw colliery, near Rutherglen, about half past five o'clock on Sunday afternoon. William Fell, manager, had been preparing the steam engine for work, and asked his son John, a young man of 21 years of age, to go to the house for candles, who, in turning, took the wrong side of the it, and was immediately precipitated to the bottom, and killed on the spot; the body was instantly got out dreadfully bruised. [Edinburgh Advertiser 2 November 1821]

11 & 12 January 1822

On Friday last, a man was killed in a coal pit at Cathcart. He has left a disconsolate widow and three children to lament his loss.  On Saturday forenoon, while a man was standing in the bottom of a pit at the Govan colliery, a piece of coal fell from an ascending hutch, and unfortunately lighting on his head, killed him on the spot. He has left a wife and eight children to bewail his death. [Glasgow Herald 18 January 1822]

24 July 1823

On Thursday morning, while one man and two boys were descending the shaft of a coal pit between Cambuslang and Rutherglen, the bucket caught upon a projection in the pit and overset, when the three unfortunate individuals were precipitated to the bottom, a depth of 27 fathoms. The man was observed to breath only twice after he was brought up, but the two boys were killed on the spot. The man had been only three weeks married. [Scotsman 26 July 1823]

A melancholy accident happened on Thursday morning at Eastfield Colliery near Rutherglen. As a married man named Smith, and two boys, Gilmour and Brown, were descending the pit, the bucket came in contact with some boards and precipitated them to the bottom, 30 fathoms, and they were killed on the spot. [Caledonian Mercury 26 July 1823]

17 January 1826

Belvedere Colliery – From the Glasgow Chronicle - On Tuesday an accident occurred at Belvedere colliery to the eastward of this city, which had at first a very alarming aspect. The colliery has not been working for about three weeks, having been undergoing repair, and during that time the hard coal, thirty inches thick, filled with water. When the water is drawn away, the roof of the pit becomes soft, and the stones fall from it, sometimes to the extent of seven carts in one mass, and obstruct the proper current of free air. About eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, some of the colliers descended the pit, which is32 fathoms deep, for the purpose of opening the trap-doors to clear the air-course, and remove the stones that had fallen from the roof. The workmen had proceeded from the pit bottom, on their way to the work-rooms, about 60 or 70 yards, when they encountered fire damp. Several of them fell from inhaling the impure air, and on returning to the bottom of the pit, three of the number were missing. By the exertions of the oversman, one of the men was immediately brought up in life. In making the attempt to recover the two others, three more were overpowered. One of those that first fell, Henry Reid, belonging to Parkhead, was brought up at 11 o'clock. Every exertion was made by Dr Craig to recover him for two hours, by trying to inflate the lungs and putting him into a warm bath, but life proved extinct. He was found lying on his back, which is a bad position for inhaling the gas, and though he was a strong man, his chest was weak. He was a sober industrious man, and has left a family. It was distressing to observe the anxiety of those who had friends working in the pit, and who were arriving from all quarters. The workmen belonging to the pit, with two or three exceptions, refused to go down, although Mr Houldsworth offered each man a reward of five guineas. A number of stranger colliers, and two weavers, volunteered their services to bring up five that were still below. At three o'clock, three of the men were brought up in an exhausted state; but by the most unremitting exertions they all recovered. Some of those who so gallantly volunteered their services, were themselves repeatedly overcome by the foul air, and were drawn up in an insensible state. They, however, no sooner recovered, than they again went down on their humane errand. At nine o'clock at night another man was brought up, who also recovered. Three of those who recovered were six hours in the pit. They describe their sensations to have been like a person becoming very drowsy, and then losing muscular action, repeatedly dropping down and rising up, imagining there was nothing wrong with them, till they had lost all recollection. They state that it would be a very easy mode of death, being without the least pain. The only remaining collier in the pit, a young man of the name of Sharpe, could not be found that night, the searchers carrying no light, as they were afraid of an explosion, and only groping their way in the dark. He was one of those who went down to save the deceased, and was given up for lost. Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock to the great astonishment of every person, he was discovered breathing, after being 26 hours in the pit, and the usual remedies being applied, he is now in a fair way of recovery. He also states that he fell into a lethargic powerless state, and gradually lost all recollection. He was found lying stretched with his face to the pavement, which is considered as having been the means of saving him, as whatever pure air exists in such a crisis is next the ground. The neighbourhood was crowded all day, and the most exaggerated reports were in circulation as to the extent of the disaster [The Times 24 January 1826]

11 November 1830

Thursday morning, a collier of the name of Stewart, was unfortunately killed at Dalmarnock Colliery. It appears that he was descending the shaft in the bucket at the moment of the accident, when he lost his balance, and was precipitated to a depth of sixty fathoms. [Caledonian Mercury 13 November 1830]

9 December 1833

Coal Pit Accident - Monday morning, between six and seven o'clock, an explosion of fire-damp occurred in one of Mr Wilson's coal pits at Dalmarnock, by which one man was very seriously injured, and a boy slightly scorched. It was caused by an air-hole in a platform, a few fathoms from the bottom of one of the shafts (there are two near each other, and, although the one is deeper than its fellow, there is a communication between them), becoming blocked up, and, while a workman was engaged in clearing the opening to admit of the water, which had accumulated during .Sunday, being run off, the hissing noise occasioned thereby attracted the attention of a boy in the other shaft, who, hurrying to ascertain what was the matter, with his lamp in hand, met the carbonated gas as it was being forced out, and thus was the catastrophe occasioned. The boy, as mentioned above, was burnt, but not severely ; while the man employed on the scaffolding had his footing blown from under him, and the wooden work at the sides of the pit being rent from its fastenings, and falling above him, he was so much bruised that his life is despaired of. [Caledonian Mercury 14 December 1833]

4 January 1834

At Dalzell coal pit on Saturday week, a melancholy occurrence took place. As a collier was descending the pit on a board fastened at both ends, the tackling on one end unfortunately gave way, by which he was precipitated to the bottom and dreadfully mangled; When taken up he was lifeless. [Scotsman 11 January 1834]

15 April 1835

Fatal and Melancholy Accident - At a colliery in the neighbourhood of Wilsontown, on Wednesday last, a young man of the name of Adams was adjusting the rope at the pit head, while his father was in the act of ascending from his work, when by some inadvertency the rope which he was adjusting had formed into a coil on a part of the gin, and not being aware of this circumstance, when it suddenly lengthened out, he lost his balance and fell headlong into the pit. In his descent, the unfortunate youth gave one piercing farewell shriek as he passed his father, and he next instant was hurried into eternity. [Caledonian Mercury 18 April 1835]

13 October 1838

Melancholy Accident – Three men Killed – On Saturday afternoon, about 5 o'clock, the following distressing occurrence took place at the new Polmadie Colliery belonging to Mr Dixon of Govanhill. Five men employed in the coal-pit, when leaving off work, entered a bucket at the bottom of the shank, for the purpose of being towed to the top. When the bucket began to ascend it was discovered that one end of the crossbar to which it was attached had loosened from the chain, and that the bar was thus being drawn up only by one side – on the discovery of which two of the men leaped out, before they had risen far from the bottom. The other three, however, kept their places, and were towed up to within a few feet of the surface. Here the only remaining rivet which kept the car fastened to the chain was driven out, as is supposed, by the action of the former on the sides of the pit, when the bar, and the bucket containing the three men, were of course precipitated to the bottom, a depth of about 100 fathoms. It is needless to say that the unfortunate men were frightfully mangled, and deprived instantaneously of life. The names of the sufferers are Daniel Donald, John Morgan and John McIlwear, the first a collier, and the two latter drainers. All three were natives of Ireland. We may mention that there is a passage to the surface by means of a stair, which, it is directed, the workmen should always avail themselves of on coming up: but as it is a dilatory and circuitous route, they generally adopt the more rapid ascent by the “tow” [Glasgow Argus – quoted in Scotsman 16 October 1838]

28 December 1838

On Friday morning, George Symington, one of the workmen at Westmuir colliery [Glasgow], went up to sort something that was wrong with the machinery immediately above the pit mouth, when we regret to say, he lost his hold and fell to the bottom of the pit. His brains were dashed out. He was a well behaved man, and has left a wife and family.[Scotsman 2 Jan 1839]

3 March 1840

Fatal Accident - An accident , which has been painfully fatal in its results occurred at Scaterigg Colliery on the morning of Tuesday se'ennight , the particulars of which are as follows:- About ten o'clock on the day mentioned, a little girl, named Elizabeth M'Luckie ; about eleven years of age, proceeded to one of the pits with her father' s breakfast , accompanied by her relative, Grace Smith, a girl of the the same age. In the absence of the pithead man , the children proceeded to amuse themselves by running in and out of the hurleys upon the bank, and in doing so, they unthinkingly allowed too much way to get open one of the hurleys , when from the impetus it had received, it rolled into the pit-mouth , and the unfortunate children were dashed to the bottom - a distance of twenty-two fathoms - and killed on the spot. The father was near the pit-bottom at the moment, and beard the shrieks proceeding from above, as the poor girls were being hurried to destruction, and in a few seconds the painful duty was left him of picking up the mangled remains of his daughter and grand-child [Glasgow Herald 10 March 1840]

7 July 1840

Fatal Coal Pit Accident – On Tuesday morning, a fatal accident occurred at Mr Gray's coal pit at Westmuir [Shettleston]. As one of the buckets, containing several persons, with some colliers breakfasts, had arrived at the bottom of the shaft, one of the workmen named Alexander Park, was in the act of lifting the articles containing his breakfast from the bucket, when a stone, which had been previously observed to be dangerously loose in the shank, fell, and struck him upon the back of the head, and killed him on the spot. The stroke was so severe that his neck appeared to be broken by it. This unfortunate and melancholy event has left unprovided for a widow and two children. A similar accident occurred previously at the same place, and there is little doubt that, with sufficient care, a repetition of any occurrence of the same description might have easily been prevented. [Scottish Guardian, quoted in Scotsman 11 July 1840]

18 August 1840

Distressing Accident - We regret to state that a very distressing accident occurred at Garlewood lime mine, in the parish of Lesmahagow, on Tuesday last. James Greenshields, tacksman of the work, had been making arrangements for exploding a shot from the interior of a huge block, attached to the roof of the mine, when it fell upon him , and being of the immense weight of three tons, he was instantaneously crushed to death. His companion was seriously injured, but hopes are entertained of his recovery. [Scotsman 26 August 1840]

21 November 1840

Another Coal Pit Accident - On Saturday morning a melancholy occurrence took place in a coalpit near Shettleston. It seems that two men, brothers, having descended the pit, some uneasiness was caused to the workmen above ground in consequence of the usual intimation not having been given that they had descended safely. After a short time and using the usual precaution, it was discovered that the two men were both dead from the effects of foul air. [Scotsman 28 November 1840]

16 November 1844

Dreadful Colliery Accident.—An accident of a fatal nature occurred at Dalziel Colliery, near Hamilton, belonging to the Messrs. Wilson, on Saturday last, Three brothers, of the name of Laird, were ascending from their work, when, owing to some mismanagement on the part of the engine-man, the cage was drawn up to the hurls; and one of the brothers, named George, was dreadfully mangled, and died in a few minutes, another had his hand split up, and the third his leg broken; another man, named Philip, was also in the cage, but when he came on a level with the surface, seeing the danger he was in, ran the risk of jumping off, and was caught by some one on the pithead, which prevented his falling down the shaft. The situation of the sufferers parents, on finding themselves in an instant almost deprived of their children, was lamentable. The engine man has since been apprehended, but bailed out. - Saturday Post. [Glasgow Herald 18 November 1844]

11 June 1845

Accident at Govan Colliery. - On Wednesday morning, a collier named Dunlop, while employed in one of the pits at Govan Colliery, had his back dislocated, from the roof giving way and falling upon him. We are glad, however, to be able to state that, notwithstanding the severe injuries sustained, he is going on favourably. Four accidents of a similar nature have occurred in this same mine within the last few months. — Citizen. [Glasgow Herald 16 June1845]

5 August 1845

On Tuesday last, at four o'clock in the morning a collier and two boys met with a very serious accident in a coal pit near Shettleston. One of the boys had his leg broken, and was otherwise considerably bruised and lacerated ; the other boy had his arm broken, and the collier, who is the father of the boys, was also very seriously contused. Dr. J. Paterson of Parkhead, who was visiting a patient in the vicinity, immediately reduced their fractured limbs, dressed their wounds and promptly rendered them every assistance in his power. - Saturday Post. [Glasgow Herald 11 August 1845]

12 January 1846

On Monday, the 12th curt., an accident of a most serious and fatal nature occurred also at Rosebank Colliery, Cambuslang, when a collier, of the name of Hector Stewart, and his son, a boy about 15 years of age, lost their lives in descending the pit about four o'clock a.m. They proceeded in their usual course, and, when about to commence their daily avocations, it is supposed that their lamps had caught the fire damp, and a tremendous explosion took place, hurling these unfortunate individuals to a distance of 36 yards from the place of explosion. They were mangled in a dreadful state, and both died in four hours after the accident. The father has left a widow and three children, unable to provide for themselves. He bore an excellent character, and was much respected in the village. [Glasgow Herald 26 January 1846]

19 February 1846

Yesterday morning, a young man named King, who was employed as a redesman, in the coal pit, No. 3, Polmadie, belonging to Mr. Dixon, met his death by an explosion of fire damp. On account of the absence of one of the other colliers, the deceased had gone to work in a part of the pit to which he was unaccustomed, and in some of the crevices of which it was known that foul air was lurking, although from the contractor not being present, the poor man was not warned of the danger, which he might otherwise have easily avoided. The consequence was the explosion already stated. Two men working in the neighbourhood had their lamps extinguished by the concussion, but beyond this they were not affected by the accident. Distressing though this occurrence may be, it is satisfactory to state, that accidents in these pits are extremely rare, although there are nearly 1000 people employed in them under ground. [Glasgow Herald 20 February 1846]

14 July 1847

Explosion of Fire-damp - On Wednesday last, about eight o'clock, an explosion of fire damp occurred at Millfield Ironstone Pit, by which three men were burned. It appears that a considerable quantity of inflammable air had collected in the heading and walls adjoining; the various workmen were aware of the fact, and some of them had shifted to other parts of the workings to avoid danger. Three men, named Walter Woodhead, James Hart, and Mathew Anderson, were working in the fourth wall on the laigh side of the heading, when the man Anderson having gone up to do something at the rise side of the wall, the gas caught his lamp and an explosion ensued, by which he and the other two men were severely scorched. Hart is able to walk about, and strong hopes are entertained that Woodhead may yet recover; Anderson is since dead, and we understand that Mr Kidd, of the Bank of Scotland, proprietor of the pit, has sent the relative of the deceased L.20, and an order for all expenses. - Airdrie Luminary. [Caledonian Mercury 19 July 1847]

8 July 1848

Fatal Coal Pit Accident - About two o'clock on Saturday morning last, one of the colliers, named Bell, employed in Mr Wilson's coal pit, Dalmarnock, was deprived of life in a very shocking manner. The pit, which contains three distinct galleries, a considerable distance apart, has a perpendicular shaft which communicates with the whole of them. At the time when the accident occurred, the deceased, who was working in the upper gallery, was in the act of pushing a hutch containing coals forward to the shaft. While doing so, his lamp went out, and the consequence was that being unable to see his way clearly, he pushed the hutch too far, which was precipitated down to the very bottom of the shaft, a distance of some 30 or 40 fathoms, carrying along with it the ill-fated man, who was killed on the spot. His body, when brought to the mouth of the pit by his fellow workmen, presented a frightful spectacle, being dreadfully mangled. We understand that the unfortunate deceased, who resided at Dale Street, Bridgeton, was a steady and industrious workman. He has left behind him a wife and family to lament their sudden bereavement.[Glasgow Herald 14 July 1848]

23 September 1848

On Saturday last, an explosion took place in one of the pits at Dalzell Colliery near Hamilton, by which the lives of a number of persons were endangered, and 6 persons severely burned, one of whom, named Stevenson, is since dead.[Scotsman 30 Sept 1848]

17 July 1850

Colliery Accident - Explosion of Fire Damp - An accident from this cause occurred at a coal pit near Kenmuir, on the afternoon of Wednesday. Three colliers were sent down to the pit for the purpose of opening an aperture for the admission of pure air; while so employed, an explosion of fire damp took place, from the effects of which the men were severely scorched and bruised. Two of them, who were most seriously hurt, were conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, and the other removed to his residence at Kenmuir. We understand that the circumstance is undergoing investigation by the authorities, their being reason to believe that some degree of blame attaches to the parties who had charge of the pit. [Glasgow Herald 22 July 1850]

7 December 1850

On Saturday forenoon last, one of the men employed in the pit of Mr Wilson, Dalmarnock, lost his life in a very melancholy manner. The unfortunate deceased, whose name is Wm. Clarke, was at work in the pit, when a large mass of coal became suddenly detached from the roof, and falling upon him, crushed him so severely that death was almost instantaneous. He has left a widow and family; but the latter, we believe are able to support themselves.[Herald 13 Dec 1850]

13 December 1850

Colliery Accident.- On Tuesday afternoon, a miner, named George Young, met with an instantaneous death while at work in the Carolina pit, situated between West Muir and Shettleston, in the eastern part of this city. The deceased had on the previous day, removed a portion of the coal-seam where he was employed, and left the upper part in a very unsafe condition. He had, however, neglected to put up any prop, or take the usual caution in such circumstances, and the consequence was, that while at his ordinary work, at the time stated, the roof gave way, the mass coming down upon him, crushing him dreadfully under it. He was, of course, killed instantaneously. The authorities have instituted an inquiry into the circumstances, but found that no one was to blame, except the unfortunate sufferer himself. We understand he has left a widow, but no family. [Glasgow Herald 13 December 1850]

25 December 1852

A fatal accident occurred at Wishaw on Saturday, about two o'clock afternoon, at Mr John Watson's coal pit, by which two men were killed on the spot. A boy at the pit head was in the act of putting an empty hutch upon the cage, as he thought; but, unfortunately, he put it on the wrong side, the cage of that side being at the bottom of the pit with three men upon it, ready to come up. One man heard the hutch coming tumbling down the shaft, and jumped off, but the other two were crushed in a moment. The boy fell with the hutch, but caught the rope when about half way down the pit, and was thus wonderfully saved. There is no doubt but much blame is attached to the pithead man. [Glasgow Herald 31 December 1852]

16 November 1853

Jury Case – A case in which Mrs Robertson, widow of William Robertson, collier in Rutherglen, was pursuer, and Mr James Farle of Farme the defender, was tried on Wednesday before Lord Mackenzie and a jury, the issue being:- Whether the deceased William Robertson, husband of the pursuer, while in the employment of the defender, at the coal-pit at New Farme , near Rutherglen , on the 16th November 1853, was killed by the fall of a stone from the roof of the pit, in consequence of the insufficiency of the roof, and through the fault of the defender, and to the loss of the pursuer. A verdict for the pursuer was returned by the jury after about an hour's consideration, the damages being fixed at £50. [Scotsman 21 July 1855]

26 December 1853

Fatal Coal Pit Accident - A collier named Thomas Bryson, while acting temporarily as bottomer at Mr. Wilson's Coal Pit, Dalmarnock, was suddenly deprived of life on Wednesday, and a second man, named Speirs, received injuries about the head, and had a very narrow escape from the fate of his companion. The cause of the melancholy accident arose from the cage being lifted up by the engine before the signal was given - the two men being engaged at the time at the bottom of the shaft. An investigation is likely to follow. [Glasgow Herald 30 December 1853]

30 December 1853

Colliery Accident and Loss of Life – A fatal explosion of fire damp took place early on Friday morning at a coal pit situated at Hamilton Hill, near Rockvale. Dick, the oversman, had proceeded to make his accustomed examination of the pit with a common open lamp, instead of a Davy. There being a quantity of foul air in the pit, an immediate explosion took place , killing a man named Andrew Buchanan on the spot , and frightfully injuring Dick and other three men named James Devlin, Hugh O'Neill , and John Ralston. Dick died in the course of the forenoon, and little hopes are entertained of the recovery of the other men. [Scotsman 4 January 1854]

Colliery Accident and Loss of Life - A fatal explosion of fire damp took place burly on Friday morning, at a coal pit situated at Hamilton Hill, near Rockvale. The following are the particulars:- The duty of examining the pit to see that it was safe for the workmen before their going down to resume work for the day, appears to have been entrusted to William Dick, the foreman of the pit. In doing this a Davy lamp is used. On Friday morning, however, shortly before six o'clock, a number of the workers went down, leaded by William Dick, who appears to have culpably proceeded to make his accustomed .examination, bearing with him a common open lamp, and followed by the others. There being a quantity of foul air in the pit, an immediate explosion took place, killing a man named Andrew Buchanan on the spot, and frightfully injuring Dick and other three men named Jas. Devlin, Hugh O'Neill , and John Ralston. Dick died in the course of the forenoon, and little hopes are entertained of the recovery of the other men. No doubt is entertained of the culpable recklessness of the deceased man Dick. He has left a widow and six children, The other man who was killed was 23 years of age, and has left a widow but no family. Of course the fatal event is undergoing investigation. [Glasgow Herald 2 January 1854]