At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Mackenzie – WILLIAM CRAIG, braefootman, Townhead Street, Stevenston, and SAMUEL BIGHAM, braefootman, Ardeer Square, Stevenston, were charged with a contravention of special rule 72, under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, by having ridden on a rake of hutches in the underground workings of No. 5 Auchenharvie Colliery, on 12th instant.
They pleaded guilty.
The Sheriff remarked that the practice was a dangerous one and imposed a penalty of 10s or seven days’ imprisonment.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
FATAL EXPLOSION AT ARDEER FACTORY
24 FEBRUARY 1897
There was an explosion at Ardeer Factory, Stevenston, on the above date, as a result of which there were six fatalities.
Unfortunately, the relevant edition of the Glasgow Herald, which presumably carries a report of the accident, is not available to me online. The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald, however, carries the following family intimations; while the result of the Fatal Accident Inquiry is reported in the Glasgow Herald of 25 September 1897.
ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
26 FEBRUARY 1897
DEATHS
AITKEN: Killed at Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Ardeer, on 24 February, William Aitken, (21), fourth son of the late William Aitken, Harbour Street, Saltcoats.
FULTON: Killed at Nobel’s Explosive’s Factory, Ardeer, on 24th February, Robert Fulton, (23), son of Robert Fulton, Glasgow.
GRAHAM: Killed at Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Ardeer, on 24th February, Samuel Graham, (51), 18 Nobel’s Villa, Stevenston.
HOPKINS: Killed at Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Ardeer, on 24th February, John Hopkins, (24), son of Robert Hopkins, Chemical Row, Stevenston.
McMURRAY: Killed at Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Ardeer, on 24th February, George McMurray, (22), 22 Galloway Place, Saltcoats.
WATSON: Killed at Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Ardeer, on 24th February, James Watson, (30), late of 93rd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
GLASGOW HERALD
25 SEPTEMBER 1897
KILMARNOCK - FATAL ACCIDENT INQUIRY
THE ARDEER EXPLOSION
A public inquiry, under the Fatal Accident Inquiries Act, into the circumstances of the accident at the works of Nobel's Explosives Company (Limited), Ardeer, on 24th February last, whereby six lives were lost, the men killed being SAMUEL GRAHAM, Foreman Dynamite Worker; ROBERT FULTON, Chemist; and JOHN HOPKINS, JAMES WATSON, WILLIAM AITKEN, AND GEORGE McMURRAY, Jnr., was held before Sheriff Hall and a jury yesterday.
In view of the Board of Trade inquiry and the report of the Government Inspector, already published, the proceedings were of a purely formal character.
The jury found that the men had been instantaneously killed by an explosion of nitro-glycerine, but that the evidence did not show how the explosion was occasioned.
Last edited by Penny Tray on Mon Feb 25, 2019 5:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Died on service on home soil, Driver THOMAS REID, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery – husband of May Beveridge Reid, Grange Road, Stevenston.
Last edited by Penny Tray on Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
Penny Tray wrote: ↑Fri Feb 22, 2019 8:56 am
GLASGOW HERALD
22 FEBRUARY 1896
DETONATORS EXPLODE
Two boys were injured at Stevenston yesterday by the explosion of a couple of dynamite detonators.
It was found necessary to remove one of the lads to Glasgow Western Infirmary for treatment.
GLASGOW HERALD
25 FEBRUARY 1896
STEVENSTON - THE EXPLOSION OF A DYNAMITE DETONATOR
It is reported that the lad ROBERT CAREY, who lost his hand when exploding a dynamite cap, is making a good recovery.
The police made a thorough search for the second detonator which Carey had, but they could not find it. Carey's clothes were examined in case it should be in any of the pockets without result.
It is now thought that both detonators may have exploded together.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
