GLASGOW HERALD
9 JUNE 1882
FATAL EXPLOSION AT THE ARDEER WORKS
About eight o’clock yesterday morning the inhabitants of Irvine and district were alarmed by a serious explosion at the dynamite works of Nobel’s Explosives Company, situated near Stevenston, and about two miles from Irvine.
Several people in Irvine who saw the catastrophe in the distance say that a large flame was observed to shoot up from the neighbourhood of the works, followed by a cloud of smoke, and a few seconds after there was a violent concussion which shook the houses in the most distant parts of the town, caused the doors to slam, and the glass in windows to vibrate.
Inquiry elicited the fact that the explosion occurred in one of the small storehouses, in which there are in all about 50 at the company’s works. In this house was stored 5 cwt. of dynamite, and several phials of nitro-glycerine.
The place was under the charge, at the time, of a man named PETER HUGHES, and it is supposed from the nature of his duties that he had been handling one of the phials when it fell, and the dynamite exploded.
The storehouse was blown to atoms, and all that could be found of Hughes was easily contained in a small wooden box.
The explosion was felt at Ardrossan, Troon, and Dreghorn.
Stevenston - On This Day In History
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
10 JUNE 1917
CASUALTY OF WAR
Killed in Action – Lieutenant ADAM DICKIE, (26), born 26.6.1890 at Stevenston – 41st Battalion Australian Infantry – Theatre of war, France and Flanders - solicitor – home town, Augathella, Murweh, Queensland – son of Joanna D. Reid (formerly Dickie), Ballandean, Queensland, and the late John Dickie.
CASUALTY OF WAR
Killed in Action – Lieutenant ADAM DICKIE, (26), born 26.6.1890 at Stevenston – 41st Battalion Australian Infantry – Theatre of war, France and Flanders - solicitor – home town, Augathella, Murweh, Queensland – son of Joanna D. Reid (formerly Dickie), Ballandean, Queensland, and the late John Dickie.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
THE GLASGOW HERALD
11 JUNE 1906
THE REV. WILLIAM HORGAN
The Rev. William Horgan, of Stevenston, Ayrshire, has been appointed to the vacancy in St. Lawrence R.C. Church, Greenock, caused by the death of the Rev. Dr. Fox.
Father Horgan is a native of the south of Ireland. He was curate of St. Mirren’s, Paisley, and was in charge of a mission at Houston before being transferred to Stevenston.
11 JUNE 1906
THE REV. WILLIAM HORGAN
The Rev. William Horgan, of Stevenston, Ayrshire, has been appointed to the vacancy in St. Lawrence R.C. Church, Greenock, caused by the death of the Rev. Dr. Fox.
Father Horgan is a native of the south of Ireland. He was curate of St. Mirren’s, Paisley, and was in charge of a mission at Houston before being transferred to Stevenston.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
14 JUNE 1913
THE ARDEER EXPLOSION
HOME OFFICE EXPERT’S THEORY
Yesterday at Kilmarnock before Sheriff D. J.Mackenzie and a jury, an inquiry was held under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry Act into circumstances of the recent disastrous explosion at Messrs Nobel’s Explosives Factory at Ardeer, by which seven men lost their lives and 11 were injured.
The names of the victims were:-
ALEXANDER McCUBBIN, 38 Townhead, Stevenston;
GEORGE WATT, 66 Byres Road, Kilwinning;
ALEXANDER BROWN, ‘Mizpah,” Dynamite Road, Stevenston;
ADAM HOULISTON, 16 Parkend Road, Saltocats;
ROBERT ORR, 3 Sharphill Road, Saltcoats;
JOHN SCOTT, 10 Stanley Road, Saltcoats; and
CHARLES McMURTRIE, Bank Street, Kilbirnie.
The inquiry was conducted by Mr. J. Pollock Stevenson, Procurator Fiscal, and there were also present Major Askey Cooper Key, H.M. Chief Inspector of Explosives; Sir Frederick L. Nathan, manager of Nobel’s Company, and Mr. Hugh Moncrieff, writer, Glasgow, agent for the company.
Major Cooper Key, who made an exhaustive inquiry on behalf of the Board of Trade said the conclusion he had come to as to the most probable cause of the explosion was that by some means or other one of the men employed must have moved one of the iron racks, which weighed 350lb when empty. If this had been done and there happened to be an accumulation of guncotton dust under the foot of the rack he thought that would most probably bring about the explosion. These racks were 6 feet 4 inches high and 3 feet 8 inches wide. He thought if a man stumbled against one of them it would be sufficient to move it. He did not think the idea of spontaneous combustion having caused the explosion need be entertained at all, nor was he of the opinion that it could have been caused by electricity in the atmosphere, and he thought it was absolutely impossible that the cause could have been a spark from a neighbouring chimney.
Sir Frederick L. Nathan said he was absolutely convinced that the explosion was due to something either in the nature of friction or concussion, but what caused that friction or concussion must of course be a matter of theory. Major Cooper Key had one theory and he had another. Nobody could say which was right but the difference was very small and did not affect the general principle. He thought that something in the nature of a blow must have started the explosion, and it might have been caused by a bag of guncotton coming in contact with a rack or even the dragging of the bag across the floor might have set up sufficient friction to do it.
In reply to the Sheriff, Sir Frederick said that guncotton would not explode by being subjected to any ordinary temperature, and in that term he included the temperature at which it was dried. Owing to the source of heat that they employed it would be impossible for the guncotton in these stores to be subjected to anything like the temperature that would be required to explode it. The cause of the explosion must have been accidental. He conjectured that most of the guncotton had been placed in the porch and the runners had come to remove the contents of the last rack when something must have happened, which either by friction or a blow, caused it to explode. He did not think that simply if a cylinder or bag of guncotton had fallen that would have caused it.
In reply to a juror, Sir Frederick said that the question of the construction of these buildings was engaging his attention and he had devised a system by which the racks would be done away with altogether. He might say that he tried to move the racks himself when testing the best position of them, and had found that they were not easy to move.
The jury, after a short consultation in private, returned a formal verdict.
14 JUNE 1913
THE ARDEER EXPLOSION
HOME OFFICE EXPERT’S THEORY
Yesterday at Kilmarnock before Sheriff D. J.Mackenzie and a jury, an inquiry was held under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry Act into circumstances of the recent disastrous explosion at Messrs Nobel’s Explosives Factory at Ardeer, by which seven men lost their lives and 11 were injured.
The names of the victims were:-
ALEXANDER McCUBBIN, 38 Townhead, Stevenston;
GEORGE WATT, 66 Byres Road, Kilwinning;
ALEXANDER BROWN, ‘Mizpah,” Dynamite Road, Stevenston;
ADAM HOULISTON, 16 Parkend Road, Saltocats;
ROBERT ORR, 3 Sharphill Road, Saltcoats;
JOHN SCOTT, 10 Stanley Road, Saltcoats; and
CHARLES McMURTRIE, Bank Street, Kilbirnie.
The inquiry was conducted by Mr. J. Pollock Stevenson, Procurator Fiscal, and there were also present Major Askey Cooper Key, H.M. Chief Inspector of Explosives; Sir Frederick L. Nathan, manager of Nobel’s Company, and Mr. Hugh Moncrieff, writer, Glasgow, agent for the company.
Major Cooper Key, who made an exhaustive inquiry on behalf of the Board of Trade said the conclusion he had come to as to the most probable cause of the explosion was that by some means or other one of the men employed must have moved one of the iron racks, which weighed 350lb when empty. If this had been done and there happened to be an accumulation of guncotton dust under the foot of the rack he thought that would most probably bring about the explosion. These racks were 6 feet 4 inches high and 3 feet 8 inches wide. He thought if a man stumbled against one of them it would be sufficient to move it. He did not think the idea of spontaneous combustion having caused the explosion need be entertained at all, nor was he of the opinion that it could have been caused by electricity in the atmosphere, and he thought it was absolutely impossible that the cause could have been a spark from a neighbouring chimney.
Sir Frederick L. Nathan said he was absolutely convinced that the explosion was due to something either in the nature of friction or concussion, but what caused that friction or concussion must of course be a matter of theory. Major Cooper Key had one theory and he had another. Nobody could say which was right but the difference was very small and did not affect the general principle. He thought that something in the nature of a blow must have started the explosion, and it might have been caused by a bag of guncotton coming in contact with a rack or even the dragging of the bag across the floor might have set up sufficient friction to do it.
In reply to the Sheriff, Sir Frederick said that guncotton would not explode by being subjected to any ordinary temperature, and in that term he included the temperature at which it was dried. Owing to the source of heat that they employed it would be impossible for the guncotton in these stores to be subjected to anything like the temperature that would be required to explode it. The cause of the explosion must have been accidental. He conjectured that most of the guncotton had been placed in the porch and the runners had come to remove the contents of the last rack when something must have happened, which either by friction or a blow, caused it to explode. He did not think that simply if a cylinder or bag of guncotton had fallen that would have caused it.
In reply to a juror, Sir Frederick said that the question of the construction of these buildings was engaging his attention and he had devised a system by which the racks would be done away with altogether. He might say that he tried to move the racks himself when testing the best position of them, and had found that they were not easy to move.
The jury, after a short consultation in private, returned a formal verdict.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
15 JUNE 1867
DROWNED WHILE BATHING
On Wednesday night about nine o’clock, a lad named JOHN TRAINER, 17 years of age, belonging to Kilwinning, entered the Mill-Dam, Stevenston, for the purpose of bathing. He was accompanied by a companion, who did not enter the water. Trainer was only a short time in the water when his comrade observed him suddenly sink once or twice. He at once raised an alarm, when a crowd speedily collected; but owing to the depth of the water (about 18 feet), and the absence of appliances, nothing was done to rescue the unfortunate lad from his perilous position.
It is supposed that Trainer had been overheated before entering the water, and that cramp had prevented him using means to save himself, as he was a good swimmer.
He was an apprentice cabinetmaker in Saltcoats.
The body was recovered about two hours after the accident.
15 JUNE 1867
DROWNED WHILE BATHING
On Wednesday night about nine o’clock, a lad named JOHN TRAINER, 17 years of age, belonging to Kilwinning, entered the Mill-Dam, Stevenston, for the purpose of bathing. He was accompanied by a companion, who did not enter the water. Trainer was only a short time in the water when his comrade observed him suddenly sink once or twice. He at once raised an alarm, when a crowd speedily collected; but owing to the depth of the water (about 18 feet), and the absence of appliances, nothing was done to rescue the unfortunate lad from his perilous position.
It is supposed that Trainer had been overheated before entering the water, and that cramp had prevented him using means to save himself, as he was a good swimmer.
He was an apprentice cabinetmaker in Saltcoats.
The body was recovered about two hours after the accident.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
16 JUNE 1914
AYRSHIRE LAD’S MISHAP AT BLAIR ATHOLL
A young man named JAMES MORRIS, belonging to Stevenston, Ayrshire, who had been one of a party of excursionists from Ayrshire to Inverness on Saturday, was found on Sunday night lying on the Blair Atholl golf course not far from the railway bridge which crosses the River Tilt.
The unfortunate lad had by mistake left the train at Blair Atholl and on his return journey, wandered down the line, and somehow crossed the fence on to the links, and it is thought had stumbled over a stony bank, where he was found, having sustained an accident to his left leg.
The Scottish Horse medical officers, Captains Tait and Sloan, were sent for, and discovered that the leg was broken.
Morris was conveyed by brake to the Pitlochry Nursing Home.
Morris had lain 24 hours before he was found.
16 JUNE 1914
AYRSHIRE LAD’S MISHAP AT BLAIR ATHOLL
A young man named JAMES MORRIS, belonging to Stevenston, Ayrshire, who had been one of a party of excursionists from Ayrshire to Inverness on Saturday, was found on Sunday night lying on the Blair Atholl golf course not far from the railway bridge which crosses the River Tilt.
The unfortunate lad had by mistake left the train at Blair Atholl and on his return journey, wandered down the line, and somehow crossed the fence on to the links, and it is thought had stumbled over a stony bank, where he was found, having sustained an accident to his left leg.
The Scottish Horse medical officers, Captains Tait and Sloan, were sent for, and discovered that the leg was broken.
Morris was conveyed by brake to the Pitlochry Nursing Home.
Morris had lain 24 hours before he was found.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
17 JUNE 1897
EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT STEVENSTON
The most disastrous flood that has for many years occurred in Stevenston took place yesterday.
An unusually heavy rainfall had caused Stevenston burn to rise from 10 to 12 feet above its usual level.
The burn crosses the centre of the town at Fullarton Place and is enclosed by strong parapet walls. A great volume of water had gathered at this point, and as the bridge under the road was not sufficient to give passage to the flood it was carried over the wall into the roadway.
About three o’clock in the morning the wall facing Fullarton Place gave way, and the pent-up torrent swept into the streets in the vicinity.
Boglemart Street was flooded almost its entire length, the water entering the basement of houses. The occupants in most cases were asleep in bed, and awakened by the water entering. They had to quickly escape from the houses in scanty attire to a place of safety in the higher parts of the town. Children and elderly people were lowered by ropes from the second storey windows.
Fortunately there was no loss of life, and considering the suddenness of the flood few accidents occurred.
Two men who were crossing at Fullarton Place with horses, which they were removing to a place of safety, had a narrow escape of being swept away.
The escaping torrent quickly invaded New Street and flooded the houses there.
The bridge at Caledonia Railway Station is too narrow to permit the passage of such a volume of water, and this impeded its spread in that vicinity, flooding gardens and houses.
Opposite the Public School the houses were flooded to the extent of from 4 to 6 feet, and the inmates had hurriedly to depart, leaving their furniture floating in the water.
The interior of the Free Church at the corner of New Street presented a scene of great disorder. The flood had risen above the seats, and the cushions were all saturated. Chairs and a table in the choir bench were afloat, and books spoiled. In the hall and vestry the furniture was floating, and when the water subsided lay in heaps in the utmost disorder. The floors were covered with mud and debris.
At the Public School matters were quite as bad, so that it was impossible to open it for the scholars.
A strong wooden bridge leading over the burn to the cemetery was carried away.
The flood abated considerably up till ten o’clock in the forenoon, when it again commenced to rise.
The Cross Keys public-house had to be closed, as the water was 3 feet deep at the front door, and the inmates took refuge upstairs.
Fullarton Place was presented with an extraordinary appearance. The torrent had torn great furrows in the street and was again flooding Boglemart Street.
Business was at a standstill, merchants being busily engaged barricading their doors. Opposite one shop the trunk of a tree had been stranded, after pounding the pavement into fragments. Further along another huge tree trunk lay near to the Co-operative Store. As there was danger that damage might be done if they again got afloat, Mr. Armour, the county surveyor, had them removed.
Articles of furniture were floating down the stream and got stranded at the lower reaches.
A pony was drowned in a stable before it could be rescued. A great many hens met a similar fate.
All the gardens in the lower parts of the town have been greatly damaged by water.
The loss entailed on those who had their houses flood must be very great.
The heaviest losers undoubtedly will be the merchants, and scarcely one of them has escaped.
17 JUNE 1897
EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT STEVENSTON
The most disastrous flood that has for many years occurred in Stevenston took place yesterday.
An unusually heavy rainfall had caused Stevenston burn to rise from 10 to 12 feet above its usual level.
The burn crosses the centre of the town at Fullarton Place and is enclosed by strong parapet walls. A great volume of water had gathered at this point, and as the bridge under the road was not sufficient to give passage to the flood it was carried over the wall into the roadway.
About three o’clock in the morning the wall facing Fullarton Place gave way, and the pent-up torrent swept into the streets in the vicinity.
Boglemart Street was flooded almost its entire length, the water entering the basement of houses. The occupants in most cases were asleep in bed, and awakened by the water entering. They had to quickly escape from the houses in scanty attire to a place of safety in the higher parts of the town. Children and elderly people were lowered by ropes from the second storey windows.
Fortunately there was no loss of life, and considering the suddenness of the flood few accidents occurred.
Two men who were crossing at Fullarton Place with horses, which they were removing to a place of safety, had a narrow escape of being swept away.
The escaping torrent quickly invaded New Street and flooded the houses there.
The bridge at Caledonia Railway Station is too narrow to permit the passage of such a volume of water, and this impeded its spread in that vicinity, flooding gardens and houses.
Opposite the Public School the houses were flooded to the extent of from 4 to 6 feet, and the inmates had hurriedly to depart, leaving their furniture floating in the water.
The interior of the Free Church at the corner of New Street presented a scene of great disorder. The flood had risen above the seats, and the cushions were all saturated. Chairs and a table in the choir bench were afloat, and books spoiled. In the hall and vestry the furniture was floating, and when the water subsided lay in heaps in the utmost disorder. The floors were covered with mud and debris.
At the Public School matters were quite as bad, so that it was impossible to open it for the scholars.
A strong wooden bridge leading over the burn to the cemetery was carried away.
The flood abated considerably up till ten o’clock in the forenoon, when it again commenced to rise.
The Cross Keys public-house had to be closed, as the water was 3 feet deep at the front door, and the inmates took refuge upstairs.
Fullarton Place was presented with an extraordinary appearance. The torrent had torn great furrows in the street and was again flooding Boglemart Street.
Business was at a standstill, merchants being busily engaged barricading their doors. Opposite one shop the trunk of a tree had been stranded, after pounding the pavement into fragments. Further along another huge tree trunk lay near to the Co-operative Store. As there was danger that damage might be done if they again got afloat, Mr. Armour, the county surveyor, had them removed.
Articles of furniture were floating down the stream and got stranded at the lower reaches.
A pony was drowned in a stable before it could be rescued. A great many hens met a similar fate.
All the gardens in the lower parts of the town have been greatly damaged by water.
The loss entailed on those who had their houses flood must be very great.
The heaviest losers undoubtedly will be the merchants, and scarcely one of them has escaped.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
18 JUNE 1915
STEVENSTON COTTAGE DESTROYED
Early yesterday morning fire broke out in Bydand Cottage, Dynamite Road, Stevenston, the property of William Taylor, and occupied by him.
The fire originated near the roof, and it is supposed to have been caused by a fire in the chimney. It spread quickly and in a short period the cottage was burned.
The loss will amount to about £500.
A section of Nobel’s Explosives Factory fire brigade turned out and rendered assistance.
18 JUNE 1915
STEVENSTON COTTAGE DESTROYED
Early yesterday morning fire broke out in Bydand Cottage, Dynamite Road, Stevenston, the property of William Taylor, and occupied by him.
The fire originated near the roof, and it is supposed to have been caused by a fire in the chimney. It spread quickly and in a short period the cottage was burned.
The loss will amount to about £500.
A section of Nobel’s Explosives Factory fire brigade turned out and rendered assistance.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
I know I should know this but where was dynamite road?
Those wimin were in the nip.
Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nayesterdays/4435364518
I take it by this picture its Caledonia rd?
I take it by this picture its Caledonia rd?
Those wimin were in the nip.
Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
If you check old ordinance survey maps you will find that the Dynamite road stretched for about 100 yards just after the Ardeer church. The photograph shown is the top end of Caledonian road.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History
GLASGOW HERALD
19 JUNE 1897
ASSAULT – AN OBSTREPEROUS MINER
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday, JOHN MURRAY, Ardeer Square, Stevenston, was charged with having there on the 17th instant, assaulted the wife of John Kean, labourer, also, with having in Boglemart Street, assaulted William Harper, police constable, while on duty, by kicking him three times on the breast and other parts of his body, and committed a breach of the peace.
He pleaded guilty, and, having been previously convicted, was sentenced to 40 days’ imprisonment.
19 JUNE 1897
ASSAULT – AN OBSTREPEROUS MINER
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday, JOHN MURRAY, Ardeer Square, Stevenston, was charged with having there on the 17th instant, assaulted the wife of John Kean, labourer, also, with having in Boglemart Street, assaulted William Harper, police constable, while on duty, by kicking him three times on the breast and other parts of his body, and committed a breach of the peace.
He pleaded guilty, and, having been previously convicted, was sentenced to 40 days’ imprisonment.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.