MineArchiveDarngavil Colliery inrush, 1920
On 18 August 1920, with seven men at work in a seam of Darngavil Colliery at Greengairs, surface water broke into the shafts at 1,200 gallons a minute. The pump could not keep up and the men were likely to be cut off. The engineman ran to fetch John Shields, a miner who lived close by; Shields went down alone into the rising water and brought all seven out. He was awarded the Edward Medal.
| Date | 18 August 1920 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Darngavil Colliery |
| Region | North Lanarkshire |
| Primary type | Flooding / Inundation |
| Associated types | Rescue |
| Fatalities | 0 (None. Seven men were in danger of being cut off.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A considerable inrush of surface water into the shafts, at about 1,200 gallons a minute.
Rescue & recovery
Shields descended at once and went alone into the workings; the water was not yet deep but was rising constantly, and he could not know when it would close the way out.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
John Shields was awarded the Edward Medal by the King.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 18 August 1920 a considerable inrush of surface water into the shafts of Darngavil Colliery threatened to cut off seven men. 1,2
- The water poured in at about 1,200 gallons a minute, more than the pump at the shaft bottom could handle. 1,2
- John Shields went down the shaft alone, went into the workings and brought out all seven men. 1,2
- Shields received the Edward Medal for the rescue. 1,2
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: “On 18 August 1920, with seven men at work in a seam of Darngavil Colliery at Greengairs, surface water broke into the shafts at 1,200 gallons…” - Inrush (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A considerable inrush of surface water into the shafts, at about 1,200 gallons a minute.” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…of Darngavil Colliery at Greengairs, surface water broke into the shafts at 1,200 gallons a minute. The pump could not keep up and the men…”
Sources
- (secondary) Scottish Mining Website: Lanarkshire accidents 1901-1914 (Airdrie, Calderbank) — Scottish Mining Website
- (secondary) Victoria Cross Online: John Shields EM — victoriacrossonline.co.uk
Record created: 13 October 2026 · Last researched: 13 October 2026