MineArchiveStonecraigs Colliery fall of side, 1883
On 1 October 1883 two young colliers, William Mullen and Alexander Bryson, both 22, were killed at the Coltness Iron Company's Stonecraigs Colliery, Cambusnethan, when the side of their working place fell on them at the face.
| Date | 1 October 1883 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Stonecraigs Colliery |
| Region | North Lanarkshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (William Mullen, 22, collier; Alexander Bryson, 22, collier.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of the side of the working place at the coal face.
What happened
Mullen and Bryson were working together at the face when part of the side came away and fell on them, killing both.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 1 October 1883 two colliers aged 22, William Mullen and Alexander Bryson, were killed by a fall of side at the face at Stonecraigs Colliery, Cambusnethan. 1
- The inspector's list records the deaths of Mullen and Bryson at Stonecraigs in October 1883, from a fall of side at the face. 2
- Stonecraigs was then a pit of the Coltness Iron Company Ltd. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of the side of the working place at the coal face.” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…both 22, were killed at the Coltness Iron Company's Stonecraigs Colliery, Cambusnethan, when the side of their working place fell on them at…”
Sources
- (primary) Stonecraigs Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Scottish Mining Website: fatal accidents 1883 — Scottish Mining Website
Record created: 21 October 2026 · Last researched: 22 October 2026