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Fatal Accidents in Mines in Scotland 1896

- 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.

Go to July to December 1896

Year Month Day Name of Colliery Where situated Owner or Company First Name Surname Occupation Age Category Cause of accident and remarks Extra details
1896 January 10 Kelty Fife Fife Coal Co Ltd Andrew Cowan Miner 32 Falls of roof Fall 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.  
1896 January 16 Broomhouse Lanark Haughhead Coal Co Henry Frew Manager 42 In shafts – falling from part way down The rope ladder on which he was descending a blind pit gave way, and he fell to the bottom. The 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.
1896 January 17 Wallyford Edinburgh Deans & Moore Adam McNeil Oncostman 34 Miscellaneous underground – By ropes and chains breaking Deceased 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
1896 January 22 Earnock Lanark John Watson Ltd Walter Tullis Miner 14 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at face of close place, on returning to face after two shots had exploded.  
1896 January 24 Chapel Lanark Thomas Gray Alex. Roberts Miner 34 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at face of close place.  
1896 January 25 Blackston Stirling Jas. Nimmo & Co Ltd John Pender Drawer 16 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at longwall face from above tramway which was laid along face.  
1896 January 25 Elphinstone Haddington R & J Durie A. McMillan Coal cleaner 13 On Surface – Miscellaneous Deceased 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
1896 January 28 Murdostoun Lanark John McAndrew & Co William Nolan Drawer 25 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone near longwall face.  
1896 January 31 Dumbreck No 2 Pit Stirling Wm Baird & Co Ltd Jas. Wetherall Miner 40 Falls of side Fall of coal owing to the want of a sprag  
1896 February 3 Kenmuirhill No 2 Pit Lanark Dunn Brothers Alexr. Gray Pump attendant 19 In shafts – things falling from part way down Fall of steam pump and pipes hung in the shaft, owing to the chains giving way. 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
John Martin Sinker 45
1896 February 12 Bog Lanark Hamilton McCulloch & Co Alex. Maxwell Roadsman 31 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone while drawing wood from stooping place. The roof came away suddenly from an unseen lype which deceased had just relieved.  
1896 February 17 Kirkhill Lanark Kirkhill Coal Co Allan Allison Miner 30 Falls of side Fall of stone from side of road near his working face.  
1896 February 19 Eddlewood Lanark John Watson Ltd John Millar Miner 38 Falls of roof Fall 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
1896 February 19 Wallyford Edinburgh Deans & Moore Joseph Queen Dirt picker 17 On surface – By machinery In 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
1896 February 21 Cadzow Lanark Cadzow Coal Co Ltd Charles Reid Bottomer 21 Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planes While 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.  
1896 February 22 Muiredge Fife Bowman & Co Andrew Millar pitheadman 50 On Surface – On railways and tramways While attempting to sprag waggon with pit prop, contrary to additional Special Rule 4, was thrown by it before waggon and run over.  
1896 February 29 Lanemark No 2 Pit Ayr Lanemark Coal Co John Rollie Miner 34 Explosions of fire damp or coal dust Fire-damp accumulated in the stooped waste ignited when he entered his place to commence work.  
1896 March 3 Earnock Lanark John Watson Ltd Gabriel Semple Collier 32 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone in stooping. Deceased was apparently working coal off side of pillar from an old road in advance of his working face.  
1896 March 5 Little Raith Fife Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd John Brown Miner 22 Falls of sides Fall of coal at longwall face.  
1896 March 7 Jellieston No 2 Pit Ayr Dalmellington Iron Co Ltd Jas. Rutledge Drawer 13 Miscellaneous underground – By machinery While playing with another boy they fell across rope of self-acting incline, and he was carried up round drum.  
1896 March 13 Dalziel No 2 Pit Lanark Wishaw Coal Co Patrick McGichan Miner 50 Miscellaneous underground – By explosives Premature ignition of a shot. Supposed to have lit the squib instead of the match.  
1896 March 15 Loanhead Edinburgh Shotts Iron Co Robert Hughes Repairer 40 Miscellaneous underground – On inclined and engine planes Deceased 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.  
1896 March 19 Quarter Lanark Colin Dunlop & Co John Wilson Shiftman 30 In shafts – falling from part way down Deceased 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.  
1896 March 23 Auchinraith Lanark Merry & Cunninghame Ltd Joseph Robertson Miner 18 Falls of roof Fall of coal roof. He came out below the coal brushing just as his neighbours wedged it down.  
1896 March 24 North Motherwell Lanark Merry & Cunninghame Ltd David Laird Pony driver 38 Falls of roof Fall of roof on road, caused by his pony bolting into an airway and knocking out a prop.  
1896 March 27 Glespin Lanark Robert Swann James Ostler Miner 32 Miscellaneous underground – By explosives Deceased 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.  
1896 March 28 Muiredge Fife Bowman & Co Malcolm McDougall Miner 18 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896 March 30 Straiton (Oil shale) Edinburgh Clippens Oil Co Ltd John Bell Fireman 30 Explosions of fire damp or coal dust Ignited 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.  
1896 April 6 Kelty Fife Fife Coal Co Ltd Owen McAleer Contractor sinker 42 In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery Wood 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
1896 April 9 Viewpark No 1 Pit Lanark Robt Addie & Sons Collieries Ltd Alexr. Pollock Drawer 16 In shafts – Miscellaneous While 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.  
1896 April 11 Pennyvenie No 2 Pit Ayr Dalmellington Iron Co Ltd John Murphy Labourer 76 On Surface – On railways and tramways Jammed between wall of coal-washing machinery by a waggon, which he and others were shifting.  
1896 April 13 Fordell Fife Fordell Trustees William George Locomotive fireman 27 On surface – boiler bursting Explosion 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.  
1896 April 13 Motherwell Lanark John Watson Ltd Francis Higgins Brusher 27 Miscellaneous underground – By explosives Deceased 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.  
1896 April 13 Netherjohnstone Lanark Lord Belhaven Joseph Green Miner 31 Falls of roof Fall of roof at working face.  
1896 April 24 Glengarnock (Ironstone) Ayr Glengarnock Iron & Steel Co Ltd Robt. Morton Wood setter 45 Falls of roof Fall of roof on road while enlarging it.  
1896 April 24 Shotts Lanark Shotts Iron Co John McConnon Brusher 36 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896 April 27 Fairholm Lanark Hamilton Colliery Co Gavin Winning Waggon shifter 20 On Surface – On railways and tramways Deceased 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
1896 April 27 Ferniegair Lanark Archibald Russell Thos. Whitelaw Miner 22 Falls of sides Fall of coal at face of stooping,  
1896 April 28 Roxhall No 5 Pit Lanark Robt Addie & Sons Collieries Ltd Geo. McCormick Brusher 17 Miscellaneous underground – By explosives A shot blew through from one place to another and struck him.  
1896 April 29 Bathville Linlithgow James Wood Ltd Robert Torrance Screenman 20 On Surface – On railways and tramways Deceased 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.  
1896 May 2 Hartwoodhill Lanark Shotts Iron Co Chas McLean Miner 55 Miscellaneous underground – By trams and tubs Deceased 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.  
1896 May 6 Birkrigg Lanark Darngavil Coal Co Ltd Andrew Binnie Miner 60 Explosions of fire damp or coal dust Ignited fire-damp at longwall face in Upper Drumgray seam by an open light.  
1896 May 6 Common No 11 Pit Ayr Wm Baird & Co Ltd Samuel Torrance Brusher 19 Miscellaneous underground – By explosives A shot was being fired, and he returned too soon, when it went off. He thought the fuse had not lighted.  
1896 May 7 Kingseat Fife Wallace Brothers John Lindsay Coal cleaner 11 On Surface – On railways and tramways Shunting 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.  
1896 May 13 Blantyre No 2 Pit Lanark Wm Dixon Ltd Andrew Johnstone Miner 20 Falls of side Fall of coal and stone. Newspaper Report - Blantyre pages
1896 May 14 Bellsdyke Lanark Bellsdyke Coal Co Jas. Turnbull Brusher 39 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896 May 18 Bridgeness Linlithgow Bridgeness Coal Co Peter Connell Sinker 35 In shafts – Miscellaneous Deceased 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
1896 May 18 Longriggend Lanark James Nimmo & Co Ltd Alex. Henderson Miner 34 Falls of roof Fall of roof stone at longwall face.  
1896 May 26 Bredisholm No 6 Pit Lanark Glasgow Iron & Steel Co Ltd Wm. Kirkwood Miner 50 Falls of roof Fall of roof at working face.  
1896 May 29 Hallside Lanark Jas Dunlop & Co Ltd Jas. Ramsay Miner 23 Falls of roof Fall of roof at working face, Newspaper report
1896 May 29 Lochhead Fife Lochhead Fire-clay Co James Malcolm Miner 19 Falls of sides Fall of fireclay at longwall face.  
1896 May 30 Lumphinnans Fife Cowdenbeath Coal Co Ltd Robert Jones Sinker 24 In shafts – ropes and chains breaking A 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.  
1896 June 8 Bowhill Fife Bowhill Coal Co Ltd Henry Swan Sinker 20 On surface – By machinery While assisting to move a single cylinder vertical beam pumping-engine off centre by moving fly wheel, fell on wheel and was crushed.  
1896 June 8 Carfin No 6 Pit Lanark Wm Dixon Ltd Thos. Coffey Fireman 26 Explosions of fire damp or coal dust He entered with a naked light disused workings which had not been inspected.  
1896 June 12 Bredisholm No 3 Pit Lanark Glasgow Iron & Steel Co Andrew Buchan Miner 53 Falls of side Fall of coal.  
1896 June 12 Straiton Edinburgh Clippens Oil Co Ltd Jos. Wood Labourer 70 On Surface – On railways and tramways Deceased 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.  
1896 June 13 Haughhead Lanark Haughhead Coal Co Andrew Forsyth shaftsman 54 In shafts – Miscellaneous A piece of a broken plunger casing fell on his foot. The casing was being taken out.  
1896 June 13 Shields Lanark Glasgow Iron & Steel Co David Roy Sinker 46 In shafts – things falling from part way down A 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
1896 June 15 Bellfield Ayr Glengarnock Iron & Steel Co Ltd Robert Wyllie Miner 20 Explosions of fire damp or coal dust Fire-damp ignited at a naked light, when the miners entered their places in the morning. Other two men were injured. 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
1896 June 18 Cults (Limestone) Fife James Martin Robert Scott Miner 41 Falls of roof Fall of limestone from roof near working  
1896 June 19 Quarter No 1 Pit Stirling Wm Baird & Co Ltd Matthew Sharp Brusher 28 Falls of roof Fall of roof on haulage road, while working upon road.  
1896 June 30 Balgonie Fife C B Balfour William Gilmour Miner 53 Falls of sides Fall of coal at face of close place in top section of Dysart seam, above longwall waste of bottom section.  

 

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