Penny Tray wrote: ↑Thu Jan 10, 2019 9:16 am GLASGOW HERALD
10 JANUARY 1902
DISASTER AT NOBEL’S
GREAT EXPLOSION OF NIRTO-GLYCERINE
ONE MAN KILLED – HUT WRECKED
CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE IN NEIGHBOURING TOWNS
An alarming explosion occurred at the Ardeer Factory of the Nobel’s Explosives Company a few minutes after ten o’clock on Thursday night.
The inhabitants of the surrounding district, especially towards Irvine and Ayr, were suddenly aroused to the fact that something of an unusual nature had occurred by a loud noise, the shaking of houses, and the breaking of panes of glass.
It was at once supposed that some very serious explosion had occurred at the Ardeer Factory, and inquirers at once set off to discover that had taken place.
It was then ascertained that about 3000 lb. of nitro-glycerine, stored in one of the wooden huts dotted all over the ground, and separated from each other by high banks of sand, had exploded, and it was near the Irvine side of the works the effect of the concussion was felt more heavily in that direction.
Only one man was engaged at work in the hut at the time of the occurrence, and he is missing, the belief being that he has been blown to pieces, and that his remains may be found among the debris, or at some distance from the scene of the explosion.
As might easily be supposed the hut itself has disappeared, only a few fragments showing the place where it stood. The high sandbanks fortunately confined the effects, so that none of the other huts in the immediate neighbourhood have been injured.
The name of the missing man is JOHN HOWIE, over 40 years, and residing at New Square, Stevenston.
The manager, Mr. Lundholm, was instantly on the spot, and under his direction all operations necessary for the safety of the remaining portion of the works and for the discovery of the missing man were at once set agoing.
In Ardrossan only the noise of the explosion was heard, but no damage was done. Of course, a good deal of excitement was manifested until the exact nature of the occurrence had been discovered. The intimation that the damage had been confined to one hut allayed the excitement and restored confidence.
GLASGOW HERALD
11 JANUARY 1902
THE DISASTER AT ARDEER
CAUSE OF EXPLOSION UNKNOWN
The explosion at Nobel’s Works at Ardeer on Thursday night is almost identical in character with the disaster which occurred at the company’s factory four years ago. On that occasion six men lost their lives.
In the present accident only one life has been sacrificed, and while in this respect it is fortunately not to be compared in its calamitous consequences with several earlier fatalities at the same works, the alarm which it created among the population of a large extent of the Ayrshire coast was far in excess of any previous experience.
The cause of the accident remains a mystery.
A slight search showed that Howie, the victim of the explosion, had been literally blown to pieces, portions of his body being found scattered upon the ground. The remains were totally beyond recognition.
GLASGOW HERALD
11 JANUARY 1902
Sir,
ARDEER FACTORY EXPLOSION
As showing the extensive district over which the shock of this explosion was felt, it may be of interest to state that last night at, according to my watch, 12 minutes past 10 o’clock, the parlour windows here facing the north, shook violently and with great rapidity for about 15 seconds, and the house itself appeared to tremble, which made me remark to my wife that apparently an earthquake had taken place.
I may state that when a more serious explosion took place at Ardeer one morning some years ago, exactly similar effects were felt here, only in that case it was the south side of the house that appeared to receive the shock.
I am &c.
J.W.
8 Garnet Terrace,
Mount Florida,
GLASGOW.