Quarrelton Colliery bucket accident, 1805

At the turn of 1804 and 1805 three men were being let down a coal pit at Quarrelton, near Johnstone and Paisley, in a bucket when the rope broke and they fell to the bottom. Two died instantly and the third about two hours later. It is the first recorded accident at Quarrelton in which miners lost their lives.

Cause

The rope by which the bucket was lowered broke.

What happened

The Caledonian Mercury of 5 January 1805 reported the accident as having happened 'last week'; the Johnstone History Society dates it to the day of the report.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• The accident is dated 5 January 1805, the first recorded at Quarrelton in which miners lost their lives. (disputed) ²

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• Three men going down a coal pit at Quarrelton, near Paisley, in a bucket fell to the bottom when the rope broke. ^1,2
• Two of them died instantly and the third a few hours later. ^1,2
• The Caledonian Mercury of 5 January 1805 reported the accident as having happened the week before. ¹
• The accident is dated 5 January 1805, the first recorded at Quarrelton in which miners lost their lives. (disputed) 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: “At the turn of 1804 and 1805 three men were being let down a coal pit at Quarrelton, near Johnstone and Paisley, in a bucket when the rope…”

Sources

1. (primary) Accidents (Renfrewshire) — Scottish Mining Website
2. (secondary) Johnstone History Society: Johnstone Coal Miners Memorial Cairn — Johnstone History Society

Record created: 11 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026