Stevenston - On This Day In History

Published stories from each town's past.
Penny Tray
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

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Penny Tray wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:06 am
Penny Tray wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 12:16 pm GLASGOW HERALD
8 OCTOBER 1902

ACCIDENT AT NOBEL'S
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION - ONE MAN KILLED

An alarming explosion of nitro-glycerine occurred at Nobel's Dynamite Works, Stevenston, last evening at 20 minutes past five, resulting in the death of one man.

The explosion took place in the final washing-house, No. 5 Dynamite Factory, near the spot when a similar explosion occurred in January last. Two tanks of nitro-glycerine, each containing 2000 lb weight exploded.

The only man near at the time was WILLIAM CARSON, and he was literally blown to atoms, fragments of his clothing being found afterwards several hundred yards from the spot where the explosion occurred.

Carson was married, and resided in Bog Street, Stevenston. He was 35 years of age. He had seven of a family the eldest of whom is under 14 years of age.

The officials at the factory have not the slightest idea how the explosion occurred. Carson came on duty at five o'clock, and there is not a single operation in the part of the works where he is located which is considered dangerous. He was an experienced nitro-glycerine worker, had been in the factory since August 1888, over 14 years, and had the reputation of being a thoroughly reliable and steady man.

Immediately after the explosion a large and melancholy crowd wended its way from Stevenston to the dynamite factory which is two miles distant. Each little group was anxiously discussing the situation, and many times the fear was expressed that some friend might be amongst the killed or injured. As soon as it was known that there was only one casualty there was a general relief, though profound sympathy was expressed with the widow and children of the unfortunate man who had met his death.

The explosion was distinctly heard at Ardrossan, and the ominous sound was at once recognised. Windows and some houses were shaken, and it seemed at first as if a slight earthquake had occurred, so terrific was the force of the explosion.

In the direction of the dynamite factory a greyish white cloud was seen slowly rising in the sky.

At the moment when the explosion was heard, a flash of light was distinctly seen at a farmhouse several miles from Ardrossan.

The sound of the explosion was distinctly heard at several places in Arran, and there too, windows were violently shaken.

The explosion is remarkable as being the loudest which has been heard for many years.

Work at the dynamite factory will be carried on as usual today except in the part affected by the explosion.

The company always gives substantial pecuniary assistance to the relatives of those killed or injured in the factory, and the widow and family of Carson will be no exception.

A large window in a bar in Saltcoats was blown into the street, and not far from the same place the plate glass window of a draper's shop was fractured.

So far as Irvine was concerned the explosion was by no means to be compared with its forerunner of seven months ago in sensational effect. It made itself felt however, all over the district, and knocked in a few panes of glass in buildings at Irvine Harbour, as well as extinguishing the light in the harbour beacon at the bar mouth.
GLASGOW HERALD
9 OCTOBER 1902

THE ARDEER EXPLOSION

Yesterday in the danger department of the factory workers were not allowed to start. They came out in the morning, but were sent home again. It is expected that work will be resumed very soon.

In all other parts of the factory business is proceeding as usual.

It is expected that the Government Inspector of Explosives, who will inquire into the accident, will arrive at the factory today.

The excitement in connection with the accident has now subsided. The explosion was the loudest ever heard in Stevenston, and for the first time occasioned damage in the town by the breakage of several windows. Hitherto the town had escaped injury when an explosion occurred.

At Saltcoats it was supposed that the gasometer had exploded, so close did the noise seem.
GLASGOW HERALD
10 OCTOBER 1902

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Achaglachgach, Tarbet, Loch Fyne, 8 October, 1902

Sir,

THE EXPLOSION AT ARDEER

The explosion at Nobel’s yesterday was plainly heard in this house, and the open windows were shaken. The house is situated on the west shore of West Loch Tarbet, faces south-east, and is from Ardeer somewhere about 32 miles, according to the Ordnance Survey maps.

I am, &c.
H. R. BRUINES
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John Donnelly
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by John Donnelly »

I had an experience like this some years ago, though it was the opposite to the above story.
We did not hear an explosion at a petrol station about 7 or 8 kilometers away, while it was clearly heard in Haarlem more than 25 kilometers away.
The explanation given was that the shock and sound waves rise as they leave the area, and then they are reflected back downwards by a layer of cold air in the higher atmosphere.
JD.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 OCTOBER 1893

ASSAULT

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday, ROBERT WALKER, carter, Boglemart Street, Stevenston, was convicted of having on the 7th instant, assaulted his housekeeper, Janet Erskine.

The offence being aggravated by previous conviction, he was sent to prison for thirty-days, the Sheriff remarking that had the prisoner not got some provocation he would have given him sixty-days.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
15 OCTOBER 1927

FIRE AT STEVENSTON FARM

An outbreak of fire occurred at Corsankell Farm, Stevenston, tenanted by Mr John Smith while Mr and Mrs Smith were from home yesterday afternoon.

The flames spread rapidly, and in a short time the stables, barns, and outhouses were completely destroyed, and in the stackyard seven stacks of hay were burned.

There was a scarcity of water, and until the arrival of the Kilmarnock Fire Brigade there was no means of coping with the outbreak. When the brigade arrived a line of hose was laid to the Glen Burn and the water was pumped into the burning stackyard.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Vivc113 »

Penny Tray wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2017 11:05 am GLASGOW HERALD
15 OCTOBER 1927

FIRE AT STEVENSTON FARM

An outbreak of fire occurred at Corsankell Farm, Stevenston, tenanted by Mr John Smith while Mr and Mrs Smith were from home yesterday afternoon.

The flames spread rapidly, and in a short time the stables, barns, and outhouses were completely destroyed, and in the stackyard seven stacks of hay were burned.

There was a scarcity of water, and until the arrival of the Kilmarnock Fire Brigade there was no means of coping with the outbreak. When the brigade arrived a line of hose was laid to the Glen Burn and the water was pumped into the burning stackyard.
How interesting. And no local help. Kilmarnock help.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by 5siamese7 »

Sounds to me it was spontaneous combustion from the hay .If the moisture content in the hay is too high this can lead to the hay going up in flames. I remember the barn at the Hauplands farm in Ardrossan being completely destroyed in the seventies because of this. Terrible that the fire brigade had to come from Kilmarnock.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Penny Tray »

Viv,

I also remember posting that in 1914, Kilmarnock Fire Brigade responded to a call from Mr Wylie, the tenant of Mayfield Farm, in the Parish of Stevenston. On other occasions they are recorded as assisting Ardrossan Fire Brigade at major fires locally.

Imagine your property being ablaze in Stevenston and waiting for a first response from Kilmarnock, the Brigade having to travel on the 'old road' and through the actual towns of Crosshouse, Springside, Dreghorn, Irvine, and Kilwinning!
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bonzo
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by bonzo »

I wonder would the tender still be horse drawn? like you say PT that would be a fair jaunt through the towns.
Those wimin were in the nip.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
19 OCTOBER 1917

Died in 53rd General Hospital, ANDREW HODGE MERRIE, (23), driver, Royal Horse Artillery – Theatre of War – France and Flanders – son of Janet and the late John Merrie, Stevenston.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 OCTOBER 1902

STEVENSTON PUBLICAN FINED

At Ardrossan Justice of the Peace Court on Saturday, WILLIAM SMITH, New Century Bar, Stevenston, was charged with grogging – that is, extracting spirit from the wood of empty spirit casks by means of water.

The offence was committed on 17th September, and for the defence it was stated that on that morning accused took some whisky out of a barrel and then poured in water, intending to empty the barrel immediately. Just then, however, a friend called, asking accused to go to Ayr Races, and the latter went, leaving the water in the barrel. An officer happened to call during the day, and when sampling the spirits came upon the barrel containing the grog.

The Justices imposed a modified penalty of £2.
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by Hughie »

There we go. And I always thought 'Grog' was an Australian expression - it is a common expression here. :smt030
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Re: Stevenston - On This Day In History

Post by michaelm »

I'm wondering if anyone has info as to where in Stevenston the 'New Century Bar' would have been back in those days. Only guessing here, but was it maybe what later became known as the 'Station Bar' ?

And given that the incident/crime/ took place in 1902, I suppose it's only stating the obvious as to where the pubs name initially came from.
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