MineArchiveAllanshaw Colliery explosion, 1904
Early on the morning of 13 June 1904 a man at the pit bottom of No. 1 pit, Allanshaw Colliery, Hamilton, heard a dull noise. A search found the miner Patrick Harrison unconscious and badly burned and his son dead. There were signs of an explosion, yet the workings were undamaged and both men's safety lamps were locked. Patrick Harrison died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary two days later.
| Date | 13 June 1904 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Allanshaw Colliery |
| Region | South Lanarkshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (2: Patrick Harrison (60), miner, of Hamilton, who died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 15 June, and his son, Edward (20) by the NMRS record, Thomas in the Scotsman's report, killed at once.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Not disclosed. The safety lamps of both men were found locked, though a key was found in a coat pocket; the workings showed no damage.
Rescue & recovery
The man at the pit bottom told one of the officials, and a search found the son dead and the father unconscious; the father was taken by ambulance waggon to the Royal Infirmary.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Early on 13 June 1904 an explosion in No. 1 pit, Allanshaw Colliery, Hamilton, fatally burned a miner, Patrick Harrison, and his son. 1,2,3
- The safety lamps of both men were found locked, but a key was found in a coat pocket. 1,2,3
- The workings were uninjured, and the cause of the explosion was not disclosed. 1,2
- The son was Edward Harrison, aged 20. (disputed) 3
- The son was named Thomas. (disputed) 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…of 13 June 1904 a man at the pit bottom of No. 1 pit, Allanshaw Colliery, Hamilton, heard a dull noise. A search found the miner Patrick…” - Safety Lamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…of an explosion, yet the workings were undamaged and both men's safety lamps were locked. Patrick Harrison died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary two…”
Sources
- (secondary) Hamilton Parish Accidents 1900-1914 — Scottish Mining Website
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Allanshaw, No.1, 1904 (Patrick Harrison) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Allanshaw, No.1, 1904 (Edward Harrison) — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 16 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026