Ayrshire pre-1855 Accidents

This section contains newspaper reports on pre-1855 accidents in Ayrshire. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for other areas.

31 December 1804

On Monday, the 31st ult., a melancholy accident happened at Kilmarnock Coal-pits. As Adam Miller and Peter Stewart stepped into the bucket to go down to their work, the rope unfortunately broke, by which they were both precipitated to the bottom, and killed on the spot. It was found that the rope was injured by the intenseness of the frost; and it is hoped this fatal accident will be a warning to others, at all times during such severe weather, to examine carefully that the rope not be frosted, and run the buckets down and up the pit, before any of the workmen be allowed to venture into it. The former has left a wife and two children, and the father of the latter was killed in the same pit about fourteen years ago. [The Times 11 January 1805]

25 June 1818

We regret to record the following final accident in the coal pit at the Newton Green, Ayr. About seven o'clock on Thursday morning, Mr Millar, the manager of the works belonging to the Messrs Taylor, in the prosecution of his duty, went into the pit; and he and the oversman of the pit, after providing themselves each with a safety lamp, proceeded to examine a part of the mine wrought some time ago, in order to open a door by which to increase the circulation of the air, and they were followed by six of the ordinary colliers. When they had proceeded a considerable way, the lamps indicated the presence of hydrogen, but having confidence in their efficacy, they proceeded until both lamps became red hot, and then the gas exploded, scorching and tossing them about. The oversman, although severely hurt, escaped with his life, but the manager was found dead, from all appearance suffocated by the choke damp which succeeded the explosion. The colliers escaped with little or no injury, and with the oversman, got out immediately; but the body of the manager was not found till an hour or two afterwards. Mr Millar was a young man of exemplary conduct and promising abilities, and his loss is much deplored. [Scotsman 27 June 1818]

We are requested to state, that the safety lamp which occasioned the explosion by which Mr Millar lost his life, as mentioned in our last, upon being examined, was found to have a small defect at the socket. We are further informed, that a candle was used in the lamp, by the melting of which some tallow had fallen on, and adhered to, the wire gauze. From these facts, and from that formerly stated of the lamp being excessively heated, it is concluded that the combustion proceeded either from the communication of the gas with the flame through the defect of the socket – from the illumination of the grease on the gauze by the high temperature of the lamp – from the extraordinary heat of the lamp itself – or from a combination of these circumstances, and not from any deficiency in the original invention of Sir Humphry Davy. We feel satisfied in making this statement, as it thus appears, that the unfortunate accident which happened ought not to lessen the confidence of miners in those lamps, when sufficient care is taken that they be not faulty or imprudently used. We are also assured, that upon one occasion a lamp used at the Ayr Colliery continued safe, with the inflammable air burning in it for the space of three hours, and that at that colliery the greatest confidence has been placed in them by the workmen. It is hoped, those journals which copied our last statement will also insert this explanation. We are sorry to add, that the Oversman, after suffering indescribable torments, died on Tuesday last. This person was injured by a former explosion, and had recovered, and just returned to his work, when the accident which has terminated his life happened. [Ayr Journal – quoted in The Times July 1 1818]

21 March 1826

A most distressing accident occurred this morning, at the coal pit lately opened by Mr Taylor, at the Bell Rock Quarry, opposite Prestwick Toll, by which three men lost their lives and five have been materially injured. The pit has only been wrought about 3 weeks. The men who first came to go down this morning, were doubtful as to their safety, and sent for William Pride, an experienced collier, in order that his opinion might be taken. Pride arrived, along with Mr Gordon, a nephew of Mr Taylor's, and who acted as master or inspector of the works, and it was resolved to go down. John Dunlop and William Smellie went first down, Pride and Mr Gordon next, and after them Joseph Ewings and John Rice. Two boys were standing at the pit-head waiting the return of the creel to go down, when a dreadful explosion took place, which burst the building at the pit-head, and drove the two boys to the ground, at a distance of 8 or 10 yards from where they stood. In about 10 or 15 minutes, a cry was heard from below, and, upon going down, Mr Gordon, Smellie, and Rice, were found in a senseless state. William Pride was able to speak, Ewing and Dunlop were dead, and Rice expired a few minutes after he was brought up. These unfortunate men have all left wives and children to bewail their loss. We are happy to state, that no fears are entertained for the recovery of the others.- Ayr Courier, 21st March [quoted Scotsman 25 March 1826]

21 October 1831

Two Men Suffocated – On Friday last, the 21st ult., at Grass-water Limeworks, in the parish of Auchinleck, two young men of the name of Baird, sons of a farmer in the neighbourhood, came to a coalpit, five fathoms deep, that was sinking. One prevailed on the other to let him down the pit to see it; but, when near the bottom , he fell down, from the effects of the choke-damp. The brother gave the alarm, when a man of the name of Murdoch came to his assistance, and went down the pit , but he shared the same fate. David M'Leod, another man now went down , and he also shared the same fate. James Davidson, a third person, next went down but before reaching the bottom, he called out to be taken up. He got a rope fixed round his body and attempted it again, but did not succeed. A fire was got and let down into the pit and one of them was heard to moan. The smoke was quite close in the pit and nothing could be seen. However, when the windlass was turned it was found some of the three persons below were attached to the rope, and when the windlass was hoisted to a certain height , there appeared but one of the men, David M'Leod, hanging by one hand to the rope. He was immediately rescued by the people at the pit mouth. The other two men were dead before they could be got out . We understand Murdoch has left a wife and young family to lament his loss. M'Leod recovered so far as to be able to walk home to Auchinleck in the evening. [Scotsman 2 November 1831]

3 November 1835

Extraordinary Case of Accidental Entombment - On the morning of Thursday the 8th ultimo, part of the roof of the coal works belonging to the Duke de Coigny, at Kilgrammie, near the village of Dailly, set down and before the men could get clear of the workings John Brown, a native of Mid Lothian, about sixty years of age, was intercepted in his egress, and consequently confined in this subterraneous abode until Saturday last the 31st, at four in the morning, when he was restored again to light and liberty, being thus twenty three days without one morsel of food! When entombed, he had with him a small portion of tobacco , sufficient for one day's consumption, and two small flasks of lamp oil, some of the latter he attempted to swallow, but he was unable to do so and the only substance he took besides the tobacco, during the whole period of his confinement was a strong chalybeate water within the range of his prison, and which he declared was “very bad indeed." His mind remained quite composed and continues very distinct - he never despaired of ultimately escaping, and his greatest anxiety, he says was for the fate of Thomas Watson, the person with whom he had for more than two years resided, whom he supposed had perished when the accident occurred, leaving a wife and helpless family. He calculated time by the noise made by the men at their stated periods of work:- for the first and second week he moved about in his gloomy cell, an area of thirty yards, seeking every avenue of escape, but latterly he became so weak as to be unable to reach his only, but disagreeable beverage - the water. The feeling of hunger left him about the second day; which may be attributed, in some measure , to the astringent quality of the water. When found he was extended on the ground, and lying on his breast, nearly extinct, his extremities cold; his voice reduced almost to a whisper, or childish treble, and his emaciation so great as to make him a complete personification of the Anatomie Vivante. His dark unshaven beard, sunken features; and glistening ere have given him an unearthly appearance. Generally great danger arises from imprudently giving food too freely to persons who have suffered from abstinence but in Brown's case his brother labourers cautiously first lubricated his parched mouth with butter, then gave him milk, arrow root, and sherry in small spoonfuls at regular intervals - milk being the first thing he asked for when he was discovered. His pulse is regular and strong, and his tongue clean and moist; indeed , there is every hope of his ultimate restoration to health; should he receive sufficient nourishment in the same cautions way. When Dr Hill, the minister of the parish, visited him; he put out his hand to the reverend Doctor and asked him to return thanks to God for his deliverance. He feels much pleased at the interest his case has excited in the country; and he bestows a ghastly smile of satisfaction on the numerous gazers, which the circumstance has drawn from considerable distances to the humble cottage where he now lies. On a former occasion he was entombed in a coal pit for three days and three nights , and we have also been informed that he once suffered shipwreck. A subscription has been opened on Brown's behalf. - Ayr Observer. [Scotsman 7 November 1835]

In the last page will be found an account of a man's having been entombed in a coal pit in Ayrshire for a period of 23 days, and taken out alive. The Ayr Advertiser of Thursday contains the following:- We regret much to state that the thread of an existence thus wonderfully preserved, amid circumstances of honor and privation almost incredible, has at last broken. Hopes had been entertained that by careful and judicious treatment, his strength might be gradually secured, but his frame had been so completely wasted by want, as to be unable to rally its feeble powers, and he sunk into death without any appearance of pain, between the hours of 10 and 11 o'clock of the night of Tuesday the 3d inst. [Scotsman 7 November 1835]

14 July 1841

Ayr Circuit Court – The Autumn Circuit was opened here on Monday week , by the Lord Justice Clerk and Lord Mackenzie. The calendar this year was exceedingly light . Only five cases were from Ayrshire, and, what is somewhat singular, there were none from Wigtonshire. John M'Culloch, ploughman, Wheatpark , parish of St Evox, was charged with culpable homicide, having, on the 14th July last, recklessly thrown a dog into a coalpit, situated on the farm of Wheatpark, by which a person of the name of David Steel, who was coming up the pit at the time in a bucket , was precipitated to the bottom and killed on the spot . The prisoner pleaded not guilty. After the examination of witnesses , the Jury returned a verdict finding the prisoner guilty as libelled, but recommending him to the leniency of the Court . The Lord Justice Clerk , after alluding to the rashness and culpability of the act which he had committed, sentenced the prisoner to three months imprisonment. [Scotsman 29 September 1841]

22 April 1843

Fatal occurrence - A melancholy accident took place at Craighall colliery , parish of Tarbolton , on Saturday morning the 22d ult. A boy about thirteen years of age, named Hugh Kennedy , son of Sir Kennedy, agent, Wallacetown , went to visit an uncle at Craighall ; and learning that his cousin was to remain at the pit-head during the night to let the men down to their work, he expressed a strong desire to bear him company , which was reluctantly complied with. About three o'clock several of the workmen came; and while in the act of being lowered into the shaft, young Kennedy, unknown to his cousin, ran forward to the mouth of the pit , and it is thought, in the attempt to lay hold of the partition , he overbalanced himself, and fell headlong down. His body was got out with all speed , but of course life was extinct. One of the arms was severed at the shoulder, and he was otherwise shockingly bruised and mangled. The casualty, lamentable as it is, might have been still more so, had he fallen down the same side of the partition as the men were descending in the bucket . —Ayr Observer [Scotsman 3 May 1843]

16 December 1844

Fatal Accident - We regret to learn that a collier, named John Thomson, was killed on Monday in a pit on the farm of Drumdow, parish of Stair. It appears that he and another individual were employed in rebarring the pit with new wood and, in carrying this operation into effect, had constructed a fixed scaffold several fathoms from the top. Upon this they seem to have allowed a considerable quantity of earth and other rubbish to have accumulated, no doubt with the intention of completing what they were engaged upon before clearing it away; and, unfortunately, an additional quantity of gravel having fallen from the side, the scaffold was unable to resist its weight , when it gave way, precipitating Thomson to the bottom with such violence that he died instantaneously . His companion, with great presence of mind, grasped some of the bars at the side, by which he was enabled to hold till a bucket was sent down to his rescue . Thomson, we understand , was a man about sixty years of age. He was very much respected in the neighbourhood , and has left a wife and family to mourn the melancholy event. - Ayr Observer [Scotsman 21 December 1844]

18 September 1845

Melancholy Accident – On Thursday last, at one of the pits belonging to the Glengarnock Iron Company, on the farm of Ryeholm, in the parish of Dalry, which they are at present sinking down to the ironstone, two men – a father and son – of the name of Muir, of the relative ages of 45 and 20 years, after charging the shot, were ascending the shaft in the water bucket, when James Muir, the father, looked down to see if the straw would ignite, when the mid partition took hold of the back part of his head, and tore him out of the bucket. He fell to the bottom, and the shot exploding, he was killed on the spot. The son held on by the tow, and was saved. [Scotsman 20 September 1845]

15 January 1846

Fatal Coal Pit Accident.—At Tarholm coal works, in the parish of Tarbolton, on Thursday the 15th, as three boys belonging to the works were amusing themselves, during an interval of labour, at the bottom of the shaft, a slight part of the rock adjoining the raising-of the shaft, about 10 fathoms from the bottom, gave way, a very small piece of which struck one of the boys on the head and cut it so severely that he died in half an hour after the accident occurred. No blame whatever can be attached to the manager, Mr. Drinnan, as he had repeatedly warned the boys of the danger of standing in the bottom of the shaft, exposing themselves to dangers completely uncalled for. - Kilmarnock Journal. [Glasgow Herald 26 January 1846]

17 January 1846

Dalry - Coal Pit Accident.—At the Coal Heugh Glen Colliery, in this vicinity, on Saturday last, a young man, of the name of Williamson about seventeen years of age, in coming out of the highest seam of coals fell down to the lowest - a depth of fifteen fathoms. He survived the injuries received only a few hours. [Glasgow Herald 23 January 1846]

24 January 1846

Fatal Colliery Accident - About five o'clock, on the morning of Saturday last, as two men, named James Vance and Samuel Leech, who had just descended the Lochrobin coal pit, in the parish of St. Quivox, were about to commence their labours, a stone fell from the roof, a height of about five feet, and crushed them severely. The stone was about three feet long, and two thick, and was supposed to weigh 9 cwt. Vance, who was an old man, was sitting in a stooping posture, and the stone alighting on his back; broke his spine, and likewise his leg, and we are sorry to say he expired on Wednesday morning, from the effects of the accident. Leech had his arm and some ribs broken, besides being otherwise crushed, but he is expected to recover. Deceased was a quiet and obliging man, and was much respected by his fellow workmen.—Ayr Observer. [Glasgow Herald 26 January 1846]

15 February 1846

Fatal Catastrophe at a Coal-pit. - On the morning of Sunday last a lamentable catastrophe occurred at Fulshia Wood coal-pit, a short way beyond Whitletts. Men were employed during the night in pumping the water from the pit, and in working fanners for the better ventilation of it; and about six o'clock in the morning, four men went down to relieve the night-gang. Preparatory to beginning their labours they were in the act of renewing the candle in a safety lamp, when the flame ignited the firedamp, and an instant explosion took place. The explosion threw the unfortunate men with great violence against the walls of the chamber; and from the injuries they received; two of them, we regret to say; died on the spot. The names of the two men were respectively, M'Gee and Harper; The father of the former was also one of the party, and he was so seriously injured that, though he lived to be taken from the pit, he died on Monday. The fourth - a man named Caddows - escaped with some severe cuts and bruises, and was conveyed to the surface. As soon as possible a number of individuals descended the pit, and the bodies of the two unfortunate men were brought to the surface. M'Gee was also convened to his own houses where medical assistance was procured. He has left behind him a wife and family. About thirty-five years ago, we believe Harper was severely burned by a similar explosion in one of the pits in this neighbourhood. By that accident a number of lives were lost, and the deceased was one of the very few survivors. He subsequently enlisted in the 26th regiment of foot, from which he was discharged some years ago. He was unmarried. - Ayr Observer. [Glasgow Herald 20 February 1846]

7 March 1846

Fatal Accident - On the night of Saturday, or morning of Sunday last, a young man having charge of the engine it Barkip coal pit, near Dalry, was so severely injured, by coming in contact with some part of the machinery, that he died almost immediately. - Kilmarnock Journal. [Glasgow Herald 9 March 1846]

16 March 1846

Explosion of Fire-damp. - Early on Monday morning, an explosion of fire-damp, fortunately not serious in its results, occurred in the Fulshiewood (the Oswald) pit. In one of the mines where the hewers were at work, a quantity of the gas, known as fire-damp, accumulated in several small cavities above them. One of the colliers raising himself up, the lamp which he carried attached to the front of his bonnet came in contact with, and immediately exploded the subtle gas ; and the faces and exposed parts of the bodies of five of the workers were somewhat burned - Ayr Observer. [Glasgow Herald 20 March 1846]

31 July 1846

On Friday week a fine young man, not long married, lost his life in Mossend pit, near Kilbirnie. It would appear he had been employed in the shaft, when the ropes of the scaffold gave way, and he was precipitated to the bottom, a distance of thirty fathoms. His name was John Penman, a, native of Holytown. He has left a wife, near her confinement, to deplore his unhappy fate.- Surely it is time the authorities were looking into those accidents, now almost of daily occurrence - not one-half of which ever find their way in the public press. - Saturday Post. [Glasgow Herald 3 August 1846]

6 July 1847

Coal-Pit Accident - Two Men Killed - Tuesday last, a fatal coal-pit accident occurred at a shafting pit on the farm of Kilbirnie Mains, belonging to the Glengarnock Iron Company, whereby two men lost their lives, through the supposed negligence of the engine-driver. While a barrel of earth and stones was ascending, it is supposed he had fallen asleep, as the barrel was allowed to reach the wheels, when the chain broke of course, precipitating the barrel with its contents down the shaft, and killing the two unfortunate men. It would appear that the engine-driver has absconded, and we believe the police are in search of him. [Glasgow Herald 12 July 1847]

11 October 1847

Serious Explosion of Fire-Damp - On Monday morning last, an explosion of fire-damp, which, it is feared, may prove fatal to one of the sufferers, happened in the Black Diamond Pit, near Auchincruive, belonging to J. T. Gordon, Esq. As usual, the night-shift of men had gone down at twelve o'clock to prepare the pit for the colliers ; and about two o'clock, while thus engaged, a quantity of foul air was ignited by a lamp (not a safety one) which one of the party had incautiously opened, and an explosion immediately occurred. Three men and a boy - viz., John Vance and his son James, Francis Dickson, and William Winders - were very seriously burnt. They were all removed to their homes at Whiteletts village. The men are doing as well as can be expected, but up till the time we write (Wednesday night), the boy Vance is not expected to recover.—Ayr Advertiser. [Glasgow Herald 18 October 1847]

2 May 1848

Coal Pit Accident - On Tuesday, George Tait, a collier, while working in one of Mr. Christison's pits, not far from the Croft Inn, on the road to Irvine, by a fall of a portion of the roof had his spine fractured, and was otherwise so severely bruised internally that little hope is entertained of his recovery. Even should he survive, he will be unable for work. He is a married man, and has a large family, mostly young. He is a native of Galston, and only recently left Hurlford, where he had wrought in the pits there for several years. - Kilmarnock Journal [Glasgow Herald 8 May 1848]

5 May 1848

Accident. - On Friday, Adam French, collier, was severely injured while working in one of Mr. William Howie's pits at Hurlford, by the falling of a portion of the roof which bruised his body very severely in many places, and fractured three of his ribs. He is, however, expected to recover. He is married, and has a family.- Kilmarnock Journal. [Glasgow Herald 8 May 1848]

5 April 1849

Accident - An explosion of fire damp occurred on Thursday, about eleven o'clock, in No 3 pit of the Portland Iron Company, by which a collier, named John Mair, residing in Crookedholm, was so severely injured that he died in about an hour afterwards. Other three men were also scorched, but not dangerously. Mair is married and has one child. - Kilmarnock Journal [Glasgow Herald 9 April 1849]

25 July 1849

Explosion of Fire Damp - On Wednesday morning, about five o'clock, William Boyle, a collier, residing in Irvine, was killed by an explosion of fire damp in the Broomlands Pit, belonging to Messrs. Young and Black, in the parish of Dreghorn. Two pits are there, only a short distance from each other. One of those had been put down on account of the other being inundated by water, that the engine could not drain it off, so as to allow of the coal being wrought. The miners were making a passage from the one pit to the other, where the engine wrought, and a short space only required to be cut; but till this passage was completed a proper ventilation could not be got to prevent the formation of fire damp. Boyle, on the morning of Wednesday, went down first, as was his custom, carrying with him his Davy lamp, but very foolishly also his working lamp lighted. Arriving at the extremity of the passage the gas exploded, and threw him with such violence against the sides of the pit that his skull was fractured, and death took place instantaneously. The noise caused by the explosion was heard at a considerable distance. Boyle has left a widow and five children. —Kilmarnock Journal. [Glasgow Herald 30 July 1849]

30 October 1849

Dreadful Coal Pit Accident Near Dalmellington - Between seven and eight o'clock on Tuesday night , a great part of the coal pit, known by the same of No. 1, about half a mile from the village of Dalmellington, fell in. It appeared, on examination, that a great part of the bog, to the extent of nearly half an acre, had sunk, a little below the junction of the town and Cumnock burns - the waters of both running in and filling up the pit . It happened, however, that only two men were in the pit - one of them belonging to Dalmellington, the other living at Craigmark. The two men have not yet been found. On Wednesday, workmen were busy trying to turn the water off, which lay so deep around the mouth of the pit that boats had to be put on. There is no hope of the men being got out alive. - Ayr Advertiser [Scotsman 3 November 1849]

3 July 1850

Coal Pit Accident. - On Thursday, the 25th ult., an accident occurred at Common Coal Works, which has resulted in the death of John Nimmo, a boy twelve years of age. While in a reclining position in the pit, a large stone fell from the roof upon both of his legs, breaking one and bruising another. He lingered till Wednesday last, when he expired, after much suffering. His body was brought to Catrine, where his widowed mother resides. - Ayr Observer. [Glasgow Herald 12 July 1850]

26 November 1852

Accident - On Friday last, Thomas Paton, collier, Hurlford, was severely bruised in one of the pits at Hurlford, in consequence of a portion of the coal seam, which he was labouring to bring down by the usual operations, falling upon him. The coal was nearly a ton in weight, but, in descending, it broke, or Paton would in all likelihood have been killed on the spot. He was extricated as speedily as possible from under the coal by his brother workmen, and conveyed home. On a surgeon being called, it was found that he had sustained a fracture of the collar bone, and his body as otherwise severely bruised, although no vital injury had been inflicted. Paton, who has a wife and five small children, will be unable to resume work for some time to come, and the accident deprives the family of their usual support. The pit, we may mention, is in the best order, and no blame attaches to any one. Kilmarnock Journal [Glasgow Herald 29 November 1852]

15 January 1854

Fatal Coal Pit Accident. - On the morning of Sunday, 15th inst., as Adam Graham, under-ground manager of the Dalmellington Iron Company's pit at Downieston, was in the act of clearing a pit road of a fall that had occurred in that pit between Saturday night and Sunday morning, not having examined the state of the roof above him, an immense portion that must have been partially loosened fell upon him, and produced instantaneous death. His remains were conveyed to his house in Patna, where they were received by his widow and five children thus called suddenly to mourn for their support and protector, who had left them but two hours previously full of the vigour of manhood. - Kilmarnock Journal [Glasgow Herald 30 January 1854]

24 November 1854

Coal Pit Explosion at Hurlford – Four Lives Lost – On Friday morning, an explosion of firedamp took place in a pit, belonging to Messrs Gilmour & Co., at Hurlford, killing four men. The rubbish had so completely buried them that it was not until after 15 hours of incessant labour that their lifeless bodies were brought to the surface. [Scotsman 9 December 1854]

Fatal Fire-Damp Explosion Near Kilmarnock - An explosion occurred in the village of Hurlford in the No. 12 Skerrington pit, belonging to Messrs. A. Gilmour and Co., and such was its violence that nearly twenty-six fathoms of the wooden partition of the shaft were blown down. Falling upon those at the bottom of it, the rubbish had so completely buried them that it was not till after fifteen hours incessant labour that their lifeless bodies were disentangled am brought to the surface. They were little scorched or disfigured, and death seems to have been caused by suffocation. The names of those who have been thus so suddenly deprived of life are John Orr, a young vigorous man, and unmarried; Andrew Millar, James Crawford, Robert Kayle, married and with families These were the whole who were in the pit at the time of the explosion. They were employed, we understand in making what are called doors for the purpose of ventilating the pit, which is a new one, and has not been long wrought. The precise cause of the explosion cannot be anything but conjecture, as none of them have survived it to give an account. During the whole any numerous crowds of colliers and others were collected round the pit while the search for the bodies was being prosecuted, and among these were several relatives of the sufferers, whose grief and distraction it was most painful to witness. About seven o'clock in the evening an the bodies were brought to the surface. [Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper 3 December 1854]