MineArchiveDalmeny shale pits roof fall, 1908
On the night of 12 February 1908 men were clearing a fall from the haulage road of the Dalmeny Oil Company's shale mine near South Queensferry, which had long been under repair and heightening, when a large stone fell from the roof fifteen feet above and buried five of them. The fireman, George Halkett, was killed outright and a second man died before reaching the infirmary; the manager, examining the roof at the time, was critically injured.
| Date | 12 February 1908 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Dalmeny No. 2 and 3 Pits |
| Region | West Lothian |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (2: George Halkett (38), fireman, of Dalmeny, killed outright; and Henderson, a drawer (Alexander, 26, in the NMRS record; Andrew, of Kirkliston, in the press), who died some hours later.) |
| Injuries | Three injured, among them the mine manager, Mr Scott Lees, whose condition was critical. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A large stone fell from the roof fifteen feet above the haulage road, which had been under repair and heightening for some time, while men stood on an earlier fall to throw the debris into an open space.
What happened
The repairs were done on the back shift. When part of the roadway fell, a large number of hands were put on to clear it before the fore shift, several of them standing on top of the fall. The manager was examining the roof when the stone came away.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On the night of 12 February 1908 a fall of roof in the Dalmeny shale mine killed two men and injured three. 1,2,3
- The haulage road was being repaired and heightened, and many hands were clearing an earlier fall for the fore shift when a large stone fell from the roof fifteen feet above. 1,2
- The mine manager, Mr Scott Lees, examining the roof at the time, was among the injured and was in a critical condition. 1,3
- The mine belonged to the Dalmeny Oil Co. Ltd. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Fireman (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…fell from the roof fifteen feet above and buried five of them. The fireman, George Halkett, was killed outright and a second man died before…” - Haulage (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On the night of 12 February 1908 men were clearing a fall from the haulage road of the Dalmeny Oil Company's shale mine near South Queensferry,…”
Sources
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Dalmeny, 1908 (Halkett) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Dalmeny, 1908 (Henderson) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Welsh Newspapers: Evening Express, 13 February 1908, 'A fall of roof: two men killed and three injured' — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
Record created: 16 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026