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1887 Fatal Accidents

Notes - The information in this page is mainly compiled from appendices to the reports of the Inspector of Mines and Collieries. Unless stated otherwise, the extra details are from the main body of the report. Many accidents are not listed in these reports and additional names have been added from newspaper reports and other sources - these are indicated by a shaded gray background.

Information from Appendix to Inspectors Report
 Extra details
Year Month Day Name of Colliery Where situated Owner or Company Forename Surname Occupation Age Category Cause of accident and remarks
1887 January 8 Clydeside Bothwell, Lanark Provanhall Coal Co Samuel Ralston Collier 18 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 January 8 Ferniegare Hamilton, Lanark Arch. Russell Robert Wands Labourer 18 Miscellaneous on surface Crushed by waggons  
1887 January 11 Burnt Broom Mount Vernon Dunn Brothers Edward Watson Stone miner 34 Falls of roof & sides Stone fell from timbering upon him  
1887 January 12 Dalzell Dalzell, Lanark John McAndrew & Co Wm. Anderson Pitheadman 45 In shafts – falling from part way down At midworking; pushed tub into shaft  
1887 January 17 Bothwell Park Bothwell, Lanark William Baird & Co James Gilchrist Engineman -- In shafts – overwinding The cage went into the engine house and killed him  
1887 January 17 Dalzell Dalzell, Lanark John McAndrew & Co Hugh Cullen Bottomer 15 In shafts – falling from part way down Gate open, pushed tub into shaft  
1887 January 18 Newbattle Newbattle, Midlothian Marquis of Lothian Robert Buchan Carter 74 Miscellaneous on surface Ran over by waggons  
1887 January 18 Wellshot No 1 Cambuslang James Dunn Maitland Kelly Collier 13 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at face  
1887 January 18 Whitehill Lasswade, Midlothian Arch. Hood ---- Sutherland Banksman 67 Miscellaneous on surface Ran over by locomotive  
1887 January 19 Greenfield Hamilton, Lanark Archibald Russell Rob. Richardson Bogie-boy 14 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface Engineman raised cage 1ft 6 in too high. Boy alarmed jumped off and fell down the shaft.  
1887 January 20 Loanhead Lasswade, Midlothian Shotts Iron Co William Chellew Engineman 42 In shafts – ropes and chains breaking Rope broke. It had only been in use for six months Newspaper report
1887 January 21 Cowdenbeath Beath, Fife Cowdenbeath Coal Co George Lumsden Driver 14 Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams Fell in front of tubs.  
1887 January 22 Law Carluke, Lanark John Wilson John McCallum Screenman 28 Miscellaneous on surface Fell in front of waggons  
1887 January 25 Newton No 2 Cambuslang James Dunlop & Co Andrew Dunn Underground engineman 22 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof while redding a fall  
1887 January 27 Carberry Inveresk, Edinburgh Deans & Moore John Moore ---- 19 By sundries underground Crushed by pump rods  
1887 February 1 Pollok Pollokshaws John Wilson W. MacFarlane Drawer 16 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof on road  
1887 February 7 Tollcross Tollcross James Stokes Patrick Scally Collier 19 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 February 10 Auchinraith Blantyre. Lanark Merry & Cunningham Pat Devine Stone miner 33 Miscellaneous underground – explosions of gunpowder He went back before shot went off  
1887 February 11 Barr No 2 Beith Barr Coal Co Alex. Colquhoun Collier 40 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at working face (roof) Ayrshire accidents
1887 February 16 Newbattle Newbattle, Midlothian Marquis of Lothian David Ross Collier -- Falls of sides At face; long wall  
1887 February 21 Bothwell Park Bothwell, Lanark William Baird & Co Frank Dawson Collier 26 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 February 26 Niddrie Liberton, Edinburgh Niddrie & Benhar Coal Co Ltd John Coulter Engineer 36 By sundries underground Mistake of signals. Men were let back into sump amongst water Newspaper report
1887 March 2 Earnock Hamilton, Lanark John Watson Alex. Brown Collier 30 Falls of sides At stoops; stoop and room  
1887 March 4 Lochgelly Auchterderran, Fife Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd David Haxton Waggon shunter 18 Miscellaneous on surface Crushed while passing between waggons  
1887 March 5 Gauchalland No 4 Galston Gauchalland Coal Co Wm. Henderson breaksman 26 Miscellaneous underground Caught by the drum at top of a blind pit Happened to a breaksman at the top of a blind pit down which coals were lowered from one seam to another by means of a cage and a back balance. He was found dead behind the drum which had jammed him against a beam of wood. The cage was found to have got out of the slides, and as the break handle was raised so as to take off the break, it is supposed that he had been attempting in some way to relieve the cage when he was caught. Ayrshire accidents
1887 March 10 Hill of Beath Beath, Fife Ord. Adams Jas. Beveridge Hanger-on 14 Falls of roof On horse road; long wall  
1887 March 11 Calderbank Baillieston Provanhall Coal Co Wm. Kelly Labourer 79 Above ground Run over by waggons  
1887 March 12 Kirkwood No 2 Coatbridge Kirkwood Coal Co Adam Hamilton Bogie boy 13 Miscellaneous underground Run over by a “race” of hutches on a haulage road  
1887 March 17 Collyshot Cambusnethan, Lanark Coltness Iron Co Ltd David Hughes Roadsman 42 Falls of roof Repairing haulage road; stoop and room  
1887 March 21 Garriongill Cambusnethan, Lanark Coltness Iron Co Ltd David Purse Drawer 17 Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams Stumbled and tub ran over him  
1887 March 28 Pentland Loanhead, Edinburgh Clippens Oil Co Ltd Peter Anderson Greaser -- In shale mines Killed by tubs on incline while on duty  
1887 March 31 Bredisholm Bothwell, Lanark Provanhall Coal Co James McKay Brakesman 18 Miscellaneous on surface Locomotive left the rails, and first waggon came over on foot-plate where deceased was standing  
1887 April 4 Netherjohnstone Dalzell, Lanark Wishaw Estate William Tough Horse-keeper -- In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery Fell off cage while ascending  
1887 April 6 Oakbank West Calder, Edinburgh Oakbank Oil Co Ltd John Smiles Miner -- In shale mines Shot went off prematurely  
1887 April 15 Eddlewood Hamilton, Lanark Eddlewood Colliery Co Ltd Thomas Laird Collier 58 Falls of roof At stoops Newspaper report - Hamilton pages
1887 April 20 Kilgrammie Maybole McHarrie & Couper James Harvie Collier 64 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 April 26 Balbirnie Markinch, Fife John Balfour John Mackie Collier 50 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 April 28 Balbardie Bathgate, Linlithgow Walker & Cameron Joseph Short Collier 34 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
Hugh Leggie Collier 18
1887 April 29 Alloa Gartmorn, Clackmannan Alloa Coal Co John Black Plasterer 57 On surface – by machinery Crushed by bellcrank while repairing engine seat  
1887 April 29 Lochgelly Auchterderran, Fife Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd William Galloway Collier 42 Falls of sides At face; stoop and room  
1887 May 7 Stonehead Whitburn, Linlithgow Peter Thornton David Sheppard Collier -- Falls of sides At face; long wall  
1887 May 11 Oakbank West Calder, Edinburgh Oakbank Oil Co Ltd John Bird Miner 27 In shale mines At face.  
1887 May 17 Tannochside Bothwell, Lanark Monkland Iron Co Ltd James Lennon Waggon shifter 50 Miscellaneous on surface Crushed by waggons  
1887 May 23 Bogleshole No 4 Cambuslang James Dunlop & Co Patrick Murphy Roadsman 28 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 May 24 Shawfield Carluke, Lanark John Wilson Patrick Moore Labourer 45 Miscellaneous on surface Crushed by waggons  
1887 May 26 Trabboch No 2 Ayr John Galloway & Co Adam Young Collier 23 Explosions of fire damp He entered an old road without authority to do so, and ignited some gas. The deceased without having authority to do so, went a few yards off his drawing road into a place which was not being worked, and his naked light ignited some fire damp. The consequence was that he was so severely injured by the explosion that he died from the effects of it. The entrance to this old road, which was also the airway, was not fenced, and for failing to have it fenced as required by the General and Special Rules, the fireman was prosecuted, but the Sheriff found the charge "not proven."
1887 May 28 Udston Hamilton, Lanark Udston Coal Co Ltd 73 killed [see Newspaper reports] ---- ---- -- Explosions of fire damp   Newspaper reports - Udston 1887 page
1887 May 30 Clelland, Townhead Bothwell, Lanark Clelland Coal Co John Glachan Runner 14 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface Pushed empty hutch into shaft when gate was standing open  
1887 June 4 Deans Bathgate, Linlithgow West Lothian Oil Co Ltd Sam Maywood Miner -- In shale mines Gas fired by shot  
1887 June 6 Gauchalland No 2 Galston Gauchalland Coal Co James Scobie Waggon shifter 45 Above ground While spragging a waggon the sprag struck and knocked him down in front of the wheels  
1887 June 7 Dalzell Dalzell, Lanark John McAndrew & Co John Short Pitheadman 47 In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery Engine got out of gear while men were descending. It had not been properly secured. Newspaper Report - Dalziel page
Ed. Collins Sinker 42
George Smith Sinker 38
Ed. Wheelan Sinker 40
1887 June 9 Bredisholm Bothwell, Lanark Provanhall Coal Co Thomas Fisher Collier 38 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 June 14 Stonelaw Rutherglen F R Reid Alexander Rae Collier 46 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 June 15 Devon Alloa, Clackmannan Alloa Coal Co James Hunter Roadsman 50 Explosions of fire damp Went into a place for rails where there was gas, with a naked light. Fireman convicted  
1887 June 17 Galawhistle Pit Muirkirk Cairntable Gas Coal Co John Dunbar Collier 51 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof Newspaper Report - Muirkirk pages
1887 June 21 West Longrigg New Monkland, Lanark James Gemmell John Black Locomotive driver -- Miscellaneous on surface Locomotive left the rails and waggons jammed him Newspaper Report
1887 June 25 Limerigg Slamannan, Stirling John Nimmo & Son Hugh McCreary Oversman -- In shafts – overwinding Engine ran out of gear. Cage came into engine house and killed him  
1887 June 22 Auchenharvie Ayrshire   William Baird watchman       Ayrshire accidents
1887 June 28 Gilmilnscroft No 3 Auchinleck Gilmours, Wood & Anderson John Rooney Trimmer 50 Above ground Fell off a waggon Ayrshire accidents
1887 June 28 Stonelaw Rutherglen F R Reid David Hart Roadsman &c. 42 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof Newspaper Report
1887 July 4 Dysart Dysart, Fife Earl of Rosslyn Jas. Penman Engineman 49 In shafts – falling into shaft from surface While oiling pulley.  
1887 July 7 Arniston Newbattle, Midlothian Arniston Coal Co Ltd Wm. Armstrong Greaser -- Miscellaneous on surface Fell into a tub on cage which was leaving pithead  
1887 July 7 Broxburn Broxburn, Linlithgow Broxburn Oil Co Ltd Andrew Beith Contractor -- In shale mines They went into a place which had not been examined, and gas fired at their naked lights Lothians pages - Newspaper report
William Wilson Oversman --
1887 July 9 Polkemmet Shotts, Lanark Shotts Iron Co John Morris Collier 18 Falls of sides At face; long wall  
1887  July 18 Braehead     Robert Waddell         (suicide) newspaper report
1887 July 25 Pentland Loanhead, Edinburgh Clippens Oil Co Ltd William Reid Horse-feeder 25 In shale mines Struck by bogie while walking down incline  
1887 August 3 Newbattle Newbattle, Edinburgh Marquis of Lothian Lawrence Baxter Miner 40 In metalliferous mines Went back too soon on shot  
1887 August 5 Woodend Torphichen, Linlithgow Coltness Iron Co Ltd William McLure Collier 32 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 August 6 Douglas Park Bothwell, Lanark John Wilson Cormack Passmore Collier 20 Falls of roof At face; stoop and room Newspaper report- Bothwell pages
1887 August 30 Morrisonhaven Prestonpans, Haddington Prestongrange Coal & Firebrick Co Ltd Frederick Curtis Collier 35 Explosions of fire damp Fireman took two colliers with him, who had naked lights with them Newspaper report - Prestongrange page
Francis Curtis Collier 14
James McEwan Fireman 44
1887 August 31 Cowdenbeath Beath, Fife Cowdenbeath Coal Co James Hunter Roadsman 59 Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes Inclined chain broke and tub came back and struck him Newspaper report - Beath accidents
1887 September 7 Denork St Andrews, Fife Williamson & Co Wm. Williamson ---- 17 Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes Hutch got detached from incline rope  
1887 September 8 Morningside Cambusnethan, Lanark Morningside Coal Co James Brown Oversman -- Miscellaneous in shafts Cage stuck in shaft and it fell on him while he was relieving it.  
1887 September 8 Wemyss Wemyss, Fife R G E Wemyss David Reid Drawer 25 Falls of roof On drawing road; long wall  
1887 September 10 Portland No 8 Hurlford Eglinton Iron Co Andrew Main Collier 40 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at face Ayrshire accidents
1887 September 19 Common No 15 Cumnock Eglinton Iron Co Dougald McDougald Miner 43 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at face (Injured on 9th March)  
1887 September 19 Lumphinnans Ballingry, Fife Cowdenbeath Coal Co Alex. Foote Brusher 54 Falls of roof While brushing road; long wall  
1887 September 22 Shawfield Carluke, Lanark John Wilson Daniel Ryan Stooper 30 By sundries underground Struck by a prop which a stone knocked out.  
1887 September 26 Bathville Bathgate, Linlithgow James Wood Hugh McKendrick Bottomer 25 In shafts – falling from part way down Mistake of signals. Engineman raised cage and man ran tub into open shaft  
1887 September 30 Little Raith Auchtertool, Fife Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd David Hunter Hanger-on 12 By sundries underground Struck by a prop which was knocked out by a tub  
1887 October 3 Thankerton Bothwell, Lanark Monkland Iron Co Ltd Edward McInally Collier 30 Falls of roof At face; long wall. Died 12th Jan 1888 Newspaper report- Bothwell pages
1887 October 4 Hamilton Palace Bothwell, Lanark Bent Colliery Co Ltd William McNair Stone miner 28 Falls of roof While filling a tub of debris, stone fell from roof Newspaper report - Bothwellhaugh pages
1887 October 5 Allanton Cambusnethan, Lanark Morningside Coal Co Robert Wilson Collier -- Falls of roof While making road through stoop  
1887 October 8 Dysart Dysart, Fife Earl of Rosslyn William Adamson Collier 20 Falls of sides At face; stoop and room  
1887 October 10 Gartcraig Shettleston Gartcraig Fireclay Co James Taylor Miner 30 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at face  
1887 October 12 Eddlewood Hamilton, Lanark Eddlewood Colliery Co Ltd Robert Young Drawer 40 By sundries underground Jammed between roof and top of tub  
1887 October 26 Wilsontown Carnwath, Lanark William Dixon Ltd George Aitchison Screenman 40 Miscellaneous on surface Fell in front of waggons while spragging  
1887 October 31 Hillhead No 7 Kilmarnock J & M Craig Alex. Findlay Oversman 62 Above ground Crushed between waggons  
1887 November 5 Bogleshole No 2 Cambuslang james Dunlop & Co John Wright Miner 74 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof at face (injured on 24th October)  
1887 November 9 Little Raith Auchtertool, Fife Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd John Fyfe Collier 33 In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery Was found dead on cage  
1887 November 24 Thankerton Bothwell, Lanark Monkland Iron Co Ltd Bernard Trayner Brusher -- Explosions of fire damp Went into an unfenced place with naked light. Manager convicted for not having place fenced off  
1887 November 28 Calderhead Shotts, Lanark Shotts Iron Co Samuel Boles Collier 15 Falls of roof At face; long wall  
1887 November 30 Wellwood Muirkirk Eglinton Iron Co Owen McEwan Brusher -- Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 December 1 Lassodie Beath, Fife Thomas Spowart & Co Ltd Thomas Reid Brusher -- Miscellaneous underground – explosions of gunpowder He went back before shot went off  
1887 December 3 Pennyvenie No1 Dalmellington Dalmellington Iron Co James Geddes Miner 14 Falls of roof & sides Fall of roof  
1887 December 6 Hillhead No 12 Kilmarnock J & M Craig Hugh Brown Drawer 23 Miscellaneous underground Overtaken by a runaway hutch on an incline  
1887 December 7 Leven Wemyss, Fife Fife Coal Co Ltd James Gorman Collier 19 Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes Jammed with tub while lifting it on rails on incline  
1887 December 7 Wemyss Wemyss, FIF R G E Wemyss John Baxter Engineman 58 Miscellaneous underground – by machinery underground Fell into bellcrank  
1887 December 15 Holmes Uphall, Linlithgow Holmes Oil Co Ltd William Linn Miner 27 In shale mines Went back before shot went off  
1887 December 22 Garriongill Cambusnethan, Lanark Coltness Iron Co Ltd Philip Burns Collier 15 Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams Stumbled and tub ran over him  
1887 December 22 No 2 Carsehead Pit Ayrshire     Hugh Callaghan   Not listed   With thanks to Rita Campbell for this information Ayrshire accidents
1887 December 23 Gilmerton Liberton, Edinburgh Gilmerton Gas Coal Co. James Brash Sinker 25 In shafts – falling from part way down Fell off kettle  
1887 December 27 Springhill No 1 Baillieston Wm Baird & Co Constantine O'Neil Waggon shifter 59 Above ground Crushed between a waggon which he was shifting and a stationary one  
1887 December 29 Westburn No 2 Cambuslang Westburn Colliery Co John Cowan Pony driver 18 In shafts While crossing the cage seat the cage came down on him Took place three days before the close of the year. The deceased was a pony driver, and at the end of his day's work was crossing from one side of the shaft to the other to get a pail of water for his pony. Instead of going round the end of the shaft or through the division in which one cage came the length of an upper seam only, he was stepping through the cage seat, when the other cage was lowered upon him.

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