MineArchiveSwindridge Muir Colliery roof fall, 1876
On 2 February 1876 a collier, James Neil, and a boy, Blackley Woods, were killed together at Merry and Cuninghame's Swindridge Muir Colliery, near Beith in north Ayrshire, when the roof they were securing fell on them.
| Date | 2 February 1876 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Swindridge Muir Colliery |
| Region | North Ayrshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (James Neil, 45, collier; Blackley Woods, a boy, age not recorded.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof while the two were setting supports to secure it.
What happened
James Neil, a collier of 45, and Blackley Woods, a boy whose age is not recorded, were at work securing the roof of their working place when it came down on them, and both were killed.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 2 February 1876 a collier, James Neil, 45, and a boy, Blackley Woods, were killed by a fall of roof at Swindridge Muir Colliery, near Beith. 1,2
- The roof fell on them while they were engaged in securing it. 1,2
- The colliery was then worked by Merry and Cuninghame. 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: “…were killed together at Merry and Cuninghame's Swindridge Muir Colliery, near Beith in north Ayrshire, when the roof they were securing fell…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of roof while the two were setting supports to secure it.”
Sources
- (primary) Swindridge Muir Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Scottish Mining Website: fatal accidents 1876 — Scottish Mining Website
Record created: 21 October 2026 · Last researched: 22 October 2026