Stevenston - On This Day In History

Published stories from each town's past.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

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.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
12 JANUARY 1917

CUNNINGHAME COMBINATION POORHOUSE

At a meeting of Cunninghame Combination Poorhouse yesterday, Mr. McGregor, Stevenston, was re-elected chairman, and Provost Muir, Kilwinning, vice-chairman.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
12 JANUARY 1892

JURY TRIAL – ASSAULT

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Hall and a jury – Patrick McGrattan and James McClure, furnacemen, residing at Ardeer Ironworks Square, Stevenston, were charged with having, on the 4th instant, near the entrance to Ardeer blast furnaces, assaulted Robert McAuslan, furnace filler, by striking him on the face and breast, knocking him to the ground, and kicking him repeatedly on the head, face, and body, to the effusion of blood and fracture of two of his ribs.

The accused pled not guilty.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty, and the Sheriff, who characterised the assault as of a very aggravated nature, especially on the part of McGrattan, sentenced him to four months’ imprisonment, and McClure to imprisonment for two months.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
13 JANUARY 1896

FOOTBALL – AYRSHIRE CUP – 3RD ROUND – SECOND GAME
STEVENSTON THISTLE v. LANEMARK

Result: - Thistle, 3; Lanemark, 0.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
14 JANUARY 1898

STEVENSTON PARISH COUNCIL

At a meeting of the Parish Council held last night, a letter was read from Mr. Carrick McDonald intimating his resignation of office as parish councillor owing to his acceptance of office under the School Board.

It was agreed to accept the resignation.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
15 JANUARY 1892

BIRTH

SPEIR: At Bog Farm, Stevenston, on the 14th instant, the wife of Hugh Speir; a son.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
15 JANUARY 1909

SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT STEVENSTON
DRIVER KILLED AND THREE MEN INJURED

Yesterday morning shortly before seven o’clock a collision took place on the Glasgow & South-Western Railway about 300 yards east of Stevenston Station.

A workmen’s train, which leaves Ardrossan at 6.25 for Stevenston, had discharged its passengers and gone to the points to change to the other line to get back to Ardrossan. While it was stationary a mineral train also from Ardrossan crashed into it. The mineral train was travelling at a fair speed, drawn by a light pilot engine going tender first, and when it struck the passenger engine the tender tilted over, broke the cab, and crushed ROBERT WILSON, the driver against a wheel of his engine and killed him.

The fireman THOMAS BELL, was also injured on the head, shoulder, and leg, but managed to walk to the station.

The two guards, JAMES STEWART and JOHN SCOTT, on the mineral train were also injured.

On the passenger train the driver, the fireman, and guard escaped injury but suffered from shock.

During the day large numbers of people visited the scene of the collision watching the removal of the damaged engine.

Shortly before 9 a.m. the first train got through, and before noon both lines were worked.

The following is the list of casualties: -

KILLED

ROBERT WILSON, 36, engine driver, 209 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.

INJURED

THOMAS BELL, fireman, Winton Street, Ardrossan – dislocated left shoulder and leg bruised.

JAMES STEWART, guard, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan – cut on face, which had to be stitched.

JOHN SCOTT, guard, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan – leg injured
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
16 JANUARY 1899

FOOTBALL
STEVENSTON THISTLE v. QUEEN’S PARK STROLLERS
At Stevenston

Result: Queen’s Park Strollers, 4; Stevenston Thistle, 2.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
16 JANUARY 1893

FOOTBALL
STEVENSTON THISTLE v. AYR PARKHOUSE
At Stevenston

Result – Parkhouse, 5; Thistle, 4.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
16 JANUARY 1895

BIGAMY

Before Sheriff Orr Paterson yesterday, MARY McGOWAN or WINTON was charged with having on the 20th August, 1891, in a house at Townhead, Stevenston, married William McLelland, collier, her husband, Alexander Winton, being alive.

She pleaded guilty, and it was stated on her behalf that her married life had not been happy, and that she did not reside long with Winton.

She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HERALD
18 JANUARY 1890

BIRTH

SPEIR: At Bog Farm, Stevenston, on the 14th instant, Mrs. Hugh Speir; a daughter.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 19110
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:46 pm

Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

GLASGOW HEALD
19 JANUARY 1891

FOOTBALL
HURLFORD v. STEVENSTON THISTLE

These clubs met at Hurlford in the semi-final of the Ayrshire Cup.

The game in the first half, during which both teams secured a goal, was evenly divided.

The Hurlford scored early in the second half and eventually won by 2 goals to 1.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Post Reply