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1876 Deaths listed in Mine Inspectors Report

This table is compiled from appendices to the reports of the Inspector of Mines and Collieries - William Alexander for the Western District of Scotland and Ralph Moore for the Eastern District of Scotland.

Unless stated otherwise, the extra details are from the main body of the reports.

Click here for July to December deaths

Year Month Day Colliery Location Owner Name Occupation Age Category Cause Extra Details
1876 January 6 Wellwood No 1 Muirkirk Eglinton Iron Co James Gorman Collier -- Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof. Injured 29th December; died 6th January 1876  
1876 January 8 Clackmannan Clackmannan Clackmannan Coal Co. Francis Love Collier 17 Falls of Roof At face. Long wall  
Hugh Smith died 8 January 1876 - see 1875 Report (13 January 1875)
1876 January 10 Fordell Dalgety, FIF GWM Henderson David Cook Driver 15 Underground- by tubs and trams On horse road. He neglected to put in “sprags” and was crushed against the side of the road  
1876 January 10 Law Carluke, LKS John Wilson Telfer Gilroy Collier 25 Falls of Roof At “stoops” while drawing props  
1876 January 13 Raith Auchtertool, FIF Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Thomas Page Collier 20 In shafts – falling from part way down After landing at a midworking he took a wrong turn and stepped into the pit after the cage had left  
1876 January 13 Townhill Dunfermline, FIF Townhill Coal Co David Drylie Collier 25 In shafts – falling from part way down While attempting to cross the open shaft on a “bunton” at a mid-working he slipped his footing  
1876 January 14 Newbattle Newbattle, Edinburgh Marquis of Lothian Philip Mulvay Incline-man 17 Underground- by tubs and trams Crushed by tubs at bottom of engine-plane  
1876 January 20 Lanemark, No 1 New Cumnock Lanemark Coal Co Alex. Thomson Drawer 17 In shafts Fell down the pit, no one could explain how  
1876 January 29 Common No 12 Lugar Eglinton Iron Co Jas McLundie Pitheadman 20 In shafts Was struck by the descending cage t the surface, whilst looking down the shaft  
1876 January 31 Carmyle Pit Tollcross Jas Dunlop & Co Danl. McIlvie Bottomer 63 In shafts Was struck by a descending cage at the pit bottom  
1876 February 2 Glenduffhill Baillieston R Brand John Ward Collier 18 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof at face  
1876 February 2 Swineridgemuir Beith Merry & Cunningham James Neil Collier 45 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof whilst engaged securing it  
Blackley Woods Boy --
1876 February 3 Haywood Carnwarth, LKS Haywood Gas Coal Co James Tweedie Pitheadman's assistant 16 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface It is supposed he had opened the gates at the low platform, and was struck by the cage while looking down the shaft  
1876 February 7 Armadale Bathgate, Linlithgow Uphall Oil Co. Ltd. George Wilson Collier 50 Falls of Roof At “stoops”.  
1876 February 9 Pyothall Uphall, Linlithgow Robert Bell David Beveridge Pitheadman 50 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface He neglected to shut the door after taking off a tub, and on returning with the “empty” the cage was away and he ran it into the shaft  
1876 February 14 Haughhead Hamilton, LKS Merry & Cunninghame Thomas Twaddle Roadsman 37 Falls of Roof On engineplane, while renewing the timbering Newspaper report - Hamilton pages
John McIvor Chainman 22
1876 February 15 Blantyre Blantyre, LKS Wm Dixon Ltd James Carrol Wagon shifter 50 On surface- miscellaneous Jammed between wagons while shifting them Newspaper report - Blantyre pages
1876 February 15 Ashgill Dalserf, LKS Andrew Spencer Robt. Rae Collier 54 Falls of Coal At “stoops” He incautiously took away coal which was intended to be left Newspaper report - Dalserf pages
1876 February 16 Braehead No 5 Baillieston Dunn Brothers Henry Hunter Collier 35 Falls of coal & roof Fall of coal whilst engaged taking it out “stooping” Newspaper report
Thomas Bates Collier 39
1876 February 19 Cadder No 2 Bishopbriggs Carron Iron Co William Thorn Miner 18 Ironstone mines While blasting. It is supposed that the shot had “hung fire” Newspaper report
John George Miner 19
1876 February 25 Cavenhill No 5 Airdrie Wm Baird & Co And. Airlie Collier 18 Explosions Explosion of firedamp on the 17th; died on the 25th Occasioned by the fireman failing to observe the 35th special rule of the colliery which, with other things, provides that, "In case firedamp or other impure air shall be discovered in any working place, road, or level, the fireman shall, in the first instance, thoroughly clear the same of such impurity, if that can be done easily ; and shall thereupon report to the miners and other workmen that the same are safe ; but if the impurity cannot be readily or at once cleared out, the miners and workmen shall not be permitted to enter any such working places, roads, or levels, until the impure air shall have been by farther appliances entirely dispelled." Firedamp had been discovered in the deceased's working place, still they were allowed to proceed in to it, though apparently under some direction from the fireman, because they were in the act of "waffing" out the gas when it exploded upon their lights, placed, as they supposed, at a safe distance from it. It is doubtful whether the particulars of this accident were fully ascertained. The explosion was reported as not serious, but the sufferers, who were brothers, died eight days after from the effects of their injuries. Had they lived, and been able to give certain explanations, the evidence obtained would have been more satisfactory.
The fireman was aware that firedamp existed in the place, he stated that he reported to the workmen to that effect, and no doubt his report was duly recorded in the book kept for that purpose, but the question remains, why were the deceased allowed to proceed to their work? My impression is that they were cautioned as to "fire'' and probably instructed to "waff" it out before entering to their work. If so, this was altogether contrary to the established rule of the work.
Thos Airlie Collier 20 Explosion of firedamp on the 17th; died on the 25th
1876 February 25 Arniston Newbattle, Edinburgh Arniston Coal Co. Ltd John Darling Collier 52 Falls of Roof At face. Long wall  
1876 February 26 Newton No 2 Cambuslang Jas Dunlop & Co William Kittens Engineman 24 Above Ground Got entangled with the machinery whilst in motion. Injured on the 19th; died on the 26th  
1876 February 28 Foulford Auchtertool, FIF Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Peter Watt Joiner 43 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface Fell of the cage while loading it with a chain  
1876 February 29 Ibrox No 1 Govan W S Dixon Jas. Gallacher Roadsman 19 Ironstone mines Fall of roof whilst securing it  
1876 March 3 Loanhead Lasswade, Edinburgh Shotts Iron Co Matthew Brown Miner -- In Ironstone mines Crushed by carriage on incline while passing from one room to another  
1876 March 3 Newlands Bothwell, LKS Dunn Brothers Wm Gemmell Collier 25 Falls of Roof On drawing road. Stoop and room  
1876 March 9 Haywood Carnwarth, LKS Haywood Gas Coal Co Allan Cook Incline breaksman 14 Underground- on inclined planes A full hutch he was holding back, while the incline hook was being attached, run over him  
1876 March 13 Bishop Briggs Bishopbriggs W S Dixon Patrick McGeachy pitheadman 50 Ironstone mines Fell down the shaft whilst engaged taking off a barrel of water  
1876 March 13 Penstone Gladsmuir, Haddington Deans and Moore Wm Chalmers Brusher 60 Falls of Roof On drawing road, while “brushing” it. Long wall.  
1876 March 16 Rosehall No 3 Coatbridge R Addie & Sons Henry Tippen Brusher 45 Explosions Explosion of firedamp on the 9th; died on the 16th

Occasioned by great incaution on the part of the fireman. On the night of the accident, he and the deceased, who was a roadsman, had been employed clearing a "fall" in the "Pietshaw" seam close to the face. After finishing, they proceeded along the face, the fireman carrying an open light in addition to his safety lamp, when they reached another fall of roof, and in passing over it ignited some gas in a high part of the roof, by which they were both burned.

Newspaper report
1876 March 20 Old Farme Rutherglen James Ferrie William Duncan Collier 36 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof  
1876 March 21 Stravenhouse Carluke, LKS James Thornton George Wilson Collier 26 On surface- miscellaneous Crushed by fall of pithead pulleys

4 persons were killed and 5 injured by the fracture of one of the cross beams of a pithead frame. The morning was very frosty and two men were on the cage stripping ice off the sides of the shaft, when all at once one of the cross beams broke, and it and the pulleys fell to the ground. They landed where, by chance, a number of the men had collected waiting on the two men coming up to allow them to descend to their work. Had they been sitting 20 feet from the spot not one of them would have been injured. The cage with the men upon it fell about 30 feet, but the rope did not break and the men were not injured. The beam which broke was of pitch pine, 14 inches by 12, and was supported at points 14 1/2 feet apart. It had not been more than three years in use. Probably it had got some strain although it could not be made out. It was altogether an unusual accident.

Newspaper report
James Nelson Collier 19
John Nelson Collier 24
John Aitchison Collier 24
1876 March 29 Allanshaw Hamilton, LKS John Sneddon & Co James Paterson Sinker 38 In shafts – ropes & chains breaking In sinking pit. The “spring dog” attached to the east end of the rope broke, and the kettle fell from the surface upon him. Newspaper report - Hamilton pages
1876 April 6 Cowdenbeath Beath, FIF Cowdenbeath Coal Co. William Gold Brusher 19 Falls of Coal At face, while putting in a building. Long Wall  
1876 April 7 Crofthead Shotts, LKS Coltness Iron Co. Peter Fordyce Bottomer 14 In Ironstone mines Struck by a piece of ironstone falling down shaft Newspaper report
1876 April 11 Whiterigg New Monkland, LKS Wm Black & sons Andrew Laing Brusher 47 Falls of Roof On drawing road, while “brushing” it. Long wall.  
1876 April 13 Greenfield Hamilton, LKS Hamilton Coal Co. John Stevenson Collier 42 Falls of Coal At “stoops”. He was “holing” and had 10ft standing without sprags. He intended to blast it.  
1876 April 15 Thrashbush New Monkland, LKS Thrashbush Coal Co Wm Beveridge Collier 14 Falls of Roof At “stoops”. Newspaper report
1876 April 20 Townhill Dunfermline, FIF Townhill Coal Co John Taylor Sinker 21 In shafts – miscellaneous Fell off hanging scaffold in sinking it  
1876 April 22 Maidenbank Muirkirk Eglinton Iron Co Daniel Ferguson Collier 37 Falls of coal & roof Fall of coal  
1876 April 25 Craigmark No 1 Dalmellington Dalmellington Iron Co James Barbour Boy 13 Miscellaneous Was run over by a hutch upon drawing road  
1876 April 26 Wellwood No 1 Muirkirk Eglinton Iron Co Wm Moffat Drawer 45 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof  
1876 April 26 Gauchalland No 2 Galston Gauchalland Coal Co Wm Lorimer Boy 12 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof  
1876 May 2 Bantone No 2 Denny Carron Iron Co David Provan Roadsman 23 Ironstone mines Was struck by a chain upon a scaffold in the shaft, and from which he fell to the bottom 36 fathoms  
1876 May 16 Newmains Cambusnethan, LKS Coltness Iron Co. James Weir Collier 20 Falls of Coal At face. Stoop and room  
1876 May 20 Arniston Cockpen, Edinburgh Arniston Coal Co. Ltd James Millar Collier 26 Falls of Roof At face. Long wall  
1876 May 22 Dalzellowlie Maybole James Coupar David Bryden Oversman 45 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof  
1876 June 1 Greenhead Cambusnethan, LKS Coltness Iron Co. John Pirie Collier 29 Falls of Coal At “stoops” (head coal)  
1876 June 12 Stepends No 1 Cumnock Eglinton Iron Co Mic. McDermaid Bottomer 40 Ironstone mines Was struck by a stone which fell down the shaft  
1876 June 19 Greenhead Cambusnethan, LKS Coltness Iron Co. James Martin Collier 65 Falls of Roof At “stoops”.  
1876 June 23 Rawyards New Monkland, LKS J Robertson & Son William Welsh Collier 50 Falls of Roof At face. Long wall  
1876 June 28 Raw No 3 Coatbridge Wm Baird & Co Francis Bell Collier 35 Falls of coal & roof Fall of roof  

Click here for July to December deaths

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Last Updated 6th September 2008

 

 

 

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