This evening, I am focusing on a major mining disaster which occurred in what is now a fairly densely occupied residential community south of Glasgow at Nitshill. I have passed through this area on many occasions but only recently discovered that in the 19th century there was extensive deep coal mining in the area. It was at one of these pits-the Victoria- that a huge explosion occurred on March 15th 1851 which killed 61 miners (including two family groups of three) and leaving 65 infant children without breadwinners.

The mine belonged to the Coats family of nearby Paisley who were leading lights in the local textile industry.

The memorial stone shown in the image is located close to the War Memorial at Nitshill.

This disaster must have proved a catastrophic event in the local community at a time when there was no social security support for the bereaved.

Labels: Nitshill

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:42 PM