Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 MARCH 1913

ARDEER DISASTER
SIX KILLED AND 10 INJURED
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS SHAKEN
SHOCK FELT 70 MILES AWAY

The dynamite factory of Messrs Nobel’s Explosives Company (Limited) at Ardeer, Stevenston, Ayrshire, the largest of its kind in the world, was yesterday forenoon the scene of a disastrous explosion, in which six lives were lost and ten persons injured.

The explosion in its appalling suddenness was characteristic of other disasters which have occurred at the Ardeer Works.

The works were opened in 1871, and not since February 1897, has an explosion occurred at them in which so many lives were sacrificed, although on one former occasion, in May 1884, the death roll, as a result of a similar calamity, numbered 10.

The explosion yesterday was located in the gunpowder stoves or drying houses. These are situated in the southern part of the large area occupied by the factory, and are constructed principally of wood.

Shortly after eleven o’clock one of the stoves, at which several men were employed unloading the dried gun cotton, exploded through some cause not yet ascertained, and almost instantly the explosion communicated itself to three other stoves situated in the vicinity.

Six men, who were employed as “runners” and were engaged at that time in carrying out the gun cotton to the trolleys which are used for it conveyance to the cordite department, met a sudden and tragic death.

The explosion was of such a force as to work havoc over an area covering, it is stated, 200 yards. Within this radius 10 other men, who were employed in different departments, were injured through the tremendous concussion and the general wreckage which was wrought in the surrounding structures. So terrific was the force of the explosion that it was felt over a remarkably wide area ranging from Glasgow and Lenzie in the north to Kilmarnock in the east and Irvine and Ayr in the south.

As the wind yesterday was north-wester the effects of the explosion were exceptionally severe in the town of Irvine, where a large number of plate glass windows were shattered.

LIST OF KILLED AND INJURED

The following is the official list of the killed and injured:-

KILLED

ALEXANDER McCUBBIN, married, 38 Townhead Street, Stevenston.
GEORGE WATT, married, 66 Byres Road, Kilwinning.
ALEXANDER BROWN, married, Mizpah, Dynamite Road, Stevenston.
ADAM HOULISTON, married, 16 Parkend Road, Saltcoats.
ROBERT ORR, single, 3 Sharphill Road, Saltcoats.
JOHN SCOTT, married, 10 Stanley Road, Saltcoats.

INJURED

THOMAS McGRATTAN, 8 Canal Street, Saltcoats.
THOMAS BRYCE, Stevenston.
CHARLES McMURTRIE, Bank Street, Kilbirnie.
ROBERT NEILSON, 60 Canal Street, Saltcoats.
WILLIAM H WATT, Carment Drive, Stevenston.
JOHN MURRAY, Stevenston.
DAVID SHAW, 36 Dalry Road, Kilwinning.
MICHAEL HALPIN, Station Square, Stevenston.
D CARLIN, Harbour Street, Saltcoats.
THOMAS DICKIE, Moorpark Road, Stevenston.

GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1913

ARDEER EXPLOSION
HOME OFFICE REPORT ON THE SCENE
CONDITION OF INJURED

A large proportion of the workers at Ardeer Factory, Stevenston, turned out as usual to work yesterday morning, but a good number were unable to make a start on account of the damage done inside the works.

On the road to the factory groups of men and girls were observed returning from work, and on inquiry being made they indicated that they had suspended for the day.

In the forenoon Mr. Shand, general manager of Nobel’s Explosives Company; Major Cooper King, inspector from the Home Office; and Mr. J. Pollock, Procurator-Fiscal, Kilmarnock, arrived. It is reported that these gentlemen, along with the manager of Ardeer Factory, Colonel Sir Frederick Nathan, went over the scene of the disaster.

Numerous stories of narrow escapes are related by the workers. One of the injured men is said to have standing alongside ROBERT ORR, one of those killed, both waiting to run their bogies into a drying stove, when the accident occurred. ORR was killed and McGRATTAN, his companion, escaped with comparatively slight injuries.

The damage done inside the works is said to be very great, but no official statement has been made as to the amount or extent.

On inquiry at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, last night it was learned that the condition of Mr. McMURTRIE was practically unchanged, and that MURRAY’s condition was slightly improved.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 MARCH 1913

ARDEER DISASTER
SIX KILLED AND 10 INJURED
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS SHAKEN
SHOCK FELT 70 MILES AWAY

The dynamite factory of Messrs Nobel’s Explosives Company (Limited) at Ardeer, Stevenston, Ayrshire, the largest of its kind in the world, was yesterday forenoon the scene of a disastrous explosion, in which six lives were lost and ten persons injured.

The explosion in its appalling suddenness was characteristic of other disasters which have occurred at the Ardeer Works.

The works were opened in 1871, and not since February 1897, has an explosion occurred at them in which so many lives were sacrificed, although on one former occasion, in May 1884, the death roll, as a result of a similar calamity, numbered 10.

The explosion yesterday was located in the gunpowder stoves or drying houses. These are situated in the southern part of the large area occupied by the factory, and are constructed principally of wood.

Shortly after eleven o’clock one of the stoves, at which several men were employed unloading the dried gun cotton, exploded through some cause not yet ascertained, and almost instantly the explosion communicated itself to three other stoves situated in the vicinity.

Six men, who were employed as “runners” and were engaged at that time in carrying out the gun cotton to the trolleys which are used for it conveyance to the cordite department, met a sudden and tragic death.

The explosion was of such a force as to work havoc over an area covering, it is stated, 200 yards. Within this radius 10 other men, who were employed in different departments, were injured through the tremendous concussion and the general wreckage which was wrought in the surrounding structures. So terrific was the force of the explosion that it was felt over a remarkably wide area ranging from Glasgow and Lenzie in the north to Kilmarnock in the east and Irvine and Ayr in the south.

As the wind yesterday was north-wester the effects of the explosion were exceptionally severe in the town of Irvine, where a large number of plate glass windows were shattered.

LIST OF KILLED AND INJURED

The following is the official list of the killed and injured:-

KILLED

ALEXANDER McCUBBIN, married, 38 Townhead Street, Stevenston.
GEORGE WATT, married, 66 Byres Road, Kilwinning.
ALEXANDER BROWN, married, Mizpah, Dynamite Road, Stevenston.
ADAM HOULISTON, married, 16 Parkend Road, Saltcoats.
ROBERT ORR, single, 3 Sharphill Road, Saltcoats.
JOHN SCOTT, married, 10 Stanley Road, Saltcoats.

INJURED

THOMAS McGRATTAN, 8 Canal Street, Saltcoats.
THOMAS BRYCE, Stevenston.
CHARLES McMURTRIE, Bank Street, Kilbirnie.
ROBERT NEILSON, 60 Canal Street, Saltcoats.
WILLIAM H WATT, Carment Drive, Stevenston.
JOHN MURRAY, Stevenston.
DAVID SHAW, 36 Dalry Road, Kilwinning.
MICHAEL HALPIN, Station Square, Stevenston.
D CARLIN, Harbour Street, Saltcoats/
THOMAS DICKIE, Moorpark Road, Stevenston.

GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1913

ARDEER EXPLOSION
HOME OFFICE REPORT ON THE SCENE
CONDITION OF INJURED

A large proportion of the workers at Ardeer Factory, Stevenston, turned out as usual to work yesterday morning, but a good number were unable to make a start on account of the damage done inside the works.

On the road to the factory groups of men and girls were observed returning from work, and on inquiry being made they indicated that they had suspended for the day.

In the forenoon Mr. Shand, general manager of Nobel’s Explosives Company; Major Cooper King, inspector from the Home Office; and Mr. J. Pollock, Procurator-Fiscal, Kilmarnock, arrived. It is reported that these gentlemen, along with the manager of Ardeer Factory, Colonel Sir Frederick Nathan, went over the scene of the disaster.

Numerous stories of narrow escapes are related by the workers. One of the injured men is said to have standing alongside ROBERT ORR, one of those killed, both waiting to run their bogies into a drying stove, when the accident occurred. ORR was killed and McGRATTAN, his companion, escaped with comparatively slight injuries.

The damage done inside the works is said to be very great, but no official statement has been made as to the amount or extent.

On inquiry at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, last night it was learned that the condition of Mr. McMURTRIE was practically unchanged, and that MURRAY’s condition was slightly improved.

GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1913

THE ARDEER EXPLOSION
DEATH ROLL INCREASED

CHARLES McMURTRIE, one of the ten men injured as a result of the guncotton explosion at the Ardeer explosives factory of Messrs Nobel (Limited), succumbed to his injuries in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, yesterday afternoon. McMurtrie resided in Bank Street, Kilbirnie.

This makes the number of deaths caused by the explosion seven.

On Tuesday afternoon Major Cooper-Keys, His Majesty’s Inspector of Explosives, accompanied by Sir Frederick Nathan, works manager, at Ardeer, visited Irvine, motored through the parts of the town which had suffered most severely from the explosion on Monday, and inspected the damage done.

A report from a semi-official source yesterday states that the number of window panes broken in the Cunninghame Combination Poorhouse by the explosion is over 500.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1939

STEVENSTON PLAYING FIELD GRANT QUESTION

A proposal to carry out a playing field scheme at Stevenston foreshore at a cost of £24,000 is in danger of being vetoed.

Intimation was made at a meeting of Saltcoats District Council in West Kilbride yesterday that the Commissioner for Special Areas was not prepared to provide a grant for the £16,000 sea wall which was to be constructed to prevent erosion.

The intimation caused disappointment among the members, as it was anticipated that a grant of £12,000 would be made towards the sea wall and another grant would be made by the King George Trust for Playing Fields.

It was agreed that the chairman and two other councillors should join the clerk on a deputation to the Commissioner.

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GLASGOW HERALD
19 MARCH 1941

DAIRYMAN AND FARMER FINED

A fine of £12, with the alternative of 40 days imprisonment, was imposed at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday on JOHN SMITH DODDS, dairyman, Lochburn Farm, Stevenston, who was convicted of resetting 80 gallons of milk which had been previously appropriated by theft.

At the same Court WILLIAM MUIRHEAD, farmer, Kerelaw Mains, Stevenston, was convicted of resetting 12 gallons of milk, and was fined £4 or 30 days’ imprisonment.

Evidence that they had sold the milk was given by men who had been employed by a creamery company, and who stated that they had already been fined for stealing the milk.

In passing sentence, Sheriff Martin Laing said that if there were no resetters there would be fewer thieves. This form of offence was one that signified a greedy, grasping disposition, and the best way to punish offenders of that nature was to touch their pockets.

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EVENING TIMES
24 MARCH 1953

ARDEER IDEAL VENUE FOR IRISH GAME

Hugh Macaulay, the Western League secretary, and his officials are confident that their new venture in fixing their representative game against the Irish Intermediate League for the Ardeer Recreation ground, Stevenston, on May 2, will prove highly successful, writes George Manson.

Certainly the Ardeer playing pitch cannot be faulted. Indeed, many senior clubs would be pleased to own a pitch like Ardeer’s, which has often been described as ideal for a bowling green.

It is felt that the Irish Intermediate visit will be a bigger attraction in a real junior colony like Stevenston than it would be if staged at a Senior ground.

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GLASGOW HERALD
25 MARCH 1933

“BLACK SPOT IN AYRSHIRE”

Seven men residing in Ardeer Square, Stevenston – HUGH MURPHY, labourer; PATRICK COYLE, labourer; BERNARD McCANN, miner; WILLIAM WEST, labourer; JOHN MILLER, labourer; DANIEL GRAHAM, labourer; and GEORGE MURRAY, labourer – pleaded guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday to charges of stealing goods from railway vans and waggons in Ardeer East sidings, Stevenston.

The goods included 30 dozen eggs; 17cwt. Of coal, and 4 cwt. of briquettes.

Sheriff Martin Laing said that the people in that district had not shown a very high sense of honesty. This was one of the black spots of Ayrshire, according to his experience. More cases of dishonesty came from that quarter than from any part of the Sheriffdom over which he had the honour to preside. Conduct of this kind was not going to be tolerated.

The sentences imposed were as follow:-

McCann, fined £2, or 14 days’ imprisonment;
West, Miller, and Graham, each fined £3 or 20 days’ imprisonment;
Murray (one previous conviction), 30 days’ imprisonment;
Coyle (three previous convictions), three months’ imprisonment;
Murphy (four previous convictions), four months’ imprisonment.

[5siamese7]

GLASGOW HERALD
25 MARCH 1933

“BLACK SPOT IN AYRSHIRE”

Seven men residing in Ardeer Square, Stevenston – HUGH MURPHY, labourer; PATRICK COYLE, labourer; BERNARD McCANN, miner; WILLIAM WEST, labourer; JOHN MILLER, labourer; DANIEL GRAHAM, labourer; and GEORGE MURRAY, labourer – pleaded guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday to charges of stealing goods from railway vans and waggons in Ardeer East sidings, Stevenston.

The goods included 30 dozen eggs; 17cwt. Of coal, and 4 cwt. of briquettes.

Sheriff Martin Laing said that the people in that district had not shown a very high sense of honesty. This was one of the black spots of Ayrshire, according to his experience. More cases of dishonesty came from that quarter than from any part of the Sheriffdom over which he had the honour to preside. Conduct of this kind was not going to be tolerated.

The sentences imposed were as follow:-

McCann, fined £2, or 14 days’ imprisonment;
West, Miller, and Graham, each fined £3 or 20 days’ imprisonment;
Murray (one previous conviction), 30 days’ imprisonment;
Coyle (three previous convictions), three months’ imprisonment;
Murphy (four previous convictions), four months’ imprisonment.

First class stuff Penny, my family were brought up in the Ardeer Square and I know that a close relative of mine was caught stealing coal from the railway waggons. Anyone who hails from the bottom end will recognise those surnames. Anyway its all very well for that Sheriff to mouth off, it was a time of depression and folk were in dire straits a situation he never experienced.

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GLASGOW HERALD
25 MARCH 1933

“BLACK SPOT IN AYRSHIRE”

Seven men residing in Ardeer Square, Stevenston – HUGH MURPHY, labourer; PATRICK COYLE, labourer; BERNARD McCANN, miner; WILLIAM WEST, labourer; JOHN MILLER, labourer; DANIEL GRAHAM, labourer; and GEORGE MURRAY, labourer – pleaded guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday to charges of stealing goods from railway vans and waggons in Ardeer East sidings, Stevenston.

The goods included 30 dozen eggs; 17cwt. Of coal, and 4 cwt. of briquettes.

Sheriff Martin Laing said that the people in that district had not shown a very high sense of honesty. This was one of the black spots of Ayrshire, according to his experience. More cases of dishonesty came from that quarter than from any part of the Sheriffdom over which he had the honour to preside. Conduct of this kind was not going to be tolerated.

The sentences imposed were as follow:-

McCann, fined £2, or 14 days’ imprisonment;
West, Miller, and Graham, each fined £3 or 20 days’ imprisonment;
Murray (one previous conviction), 30 days’ imprisonment;
Coyle (three previous convictions), three months’ imprisonment;
Murphy (four previous convictions), four months’ imprisonment.

First class stuff Penny, my family were brought up in the Ardeer Square and I know that a close relative of mine was caught stealing coal from the railway waggons. Anyone who hails from the bottom end will recognise those surnames. Anyway its all very well for that Sheriff to mouth off, it was a time of depression and folk were in dire straits a situation he never experienced.

The Sheriff, 5siamese7, would certainly be from a privileged background and it's doubtful if it would even cross his mind that those standing before him were stealing only foodstuffs to sustain their families and coal and coal briquettes to keep them warm, and whilst what they were doing wasn't "right", it's even more doubtful that fining the breadwinners and/or sending them to prison for lengthy periods was going to ease the suffering of the families in any way. But that's the way it was!

[5siamese7]

Well stated Penny. The Ardeer Square was a dreadful place to live. People were living in houses not fit for purpose a complete area of deprivation. Interestingly the place was demolished in 1933.

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GLASGOW HERALD
31 MARCH 1954

POLICE REVIEW DECISION

It was agreed at a meeting yesterday of Ayr County Council to reduce from 25 to 20 the number of representatives of the Ayrshire police who will attend the review by the Queen in Hyde Park on July 14 of the police forces of the United Kingdom,

Mr JAMES FORDE, Stevenston, said the strength of the county police force was not 100 per cent and that it would be wrong to reduce it during the summer period when calls were greatest.

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 APRIL 1889

IRVINE DISTRICT ROAD TRUSTEES

This body met in the Town Hall, Saltcoats, yesterday – Mr. Brownlie of Monkcastle presiding.

It was reported that the improvement of Ashgrove Road would cost £360, and the meeting agreed to grant £200, on condition that the remaining £160 be made up by the proprietors and others in the locality.

It was also agreed to grant £25 for the improvement of the road near Mr. Kerr’s new house at Stevenston.

Mr. Armour, surveyor, estimated the sum required for repair and work on highways in the district at £2371 for the ensuing year, and an additional £100 was voted by the meeting making £2471 against £2832 for the preceding year.

The rate of assessment recommended was 4d, being an advance of ½d per £1.

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 APRIL 1867

EMBEZZLEMENT

At a pleading diet of Kilmarnock Jury Court yesterday, JOSEPH RALSTON, junior, groom and gardener, Pollokshaws, pleaded guilty to breach of trust and embezzlement, in so far as having received on the 3rd of January last, from Patrick Warner, Esq., Ardeer, Stevenston, the sum of £35 for the purpose of proceeding to Ireland to purchase a horse for him there, he went to Glasgow, where he bought a horse at £18, which he returned with to Mr. Warner, representing that he had acted according to his instructions.

He was sentenced to the mitigated term of three months’ imprisonment – it being stated that he had already been two months in jail, and a certificate of his previous good character being produced, influentially signed, by gentlemen residing in Pollokshaws.