Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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

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GLASGOW HERALD
15 AUGUST 1911

SALTCOATS – MONDAY

The weather for the past few days has been bright and warm, with cooling breezes in the evenings.

Visitors are spending most of their time on the beach. The excursions by sea are being largely patronised, and the motor and char-a-banc trips are also well supported.

The heat is affecting the attendance at the golf course and bowling green, but the bathing pond prospers.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
16 AUGUST 1923

SAND-BUILDING COMPETITION

At the West Beach, Saltcoats, yesterday afternoon a children’s sand-building competition attracted a large crowd of spectators.

The first prize-winners were:-

SENIOR BOYS
John Alexander, 1 Arthur Street.
JUNIOR BOYS
Samuel Wham, Gladstone Road.
SENIOR GIRLS
Kittie Murray, 14 Gladstone Road.
JUNIOR GIRLS
Annie Beale, Manse Street.

Sports were afterwards held, and at the close, the prizes were presented by Miss Kemp, daughter of Councillor Kemp.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
16 AUGUST 1917

Killed in action, ROBERT KIRKPATRICK NEILL, (21), Northumberland Fusiliers – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mary and the late John Neill, 60 Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats.

The Glasgow Herald subsequently reported on 25 August 1917:-

“R. K. Neill. Killed. Intimation was received by Mrs. Neill, that her third son, Second Lieutenant R. K. Neill, Northumberland Fusiliers, has been killed in action. He was 21 years of age and prior to the war was in the office of Messrs Reid and Mair, St. Vincent Place, Glasgow. He joined the Army in October, 1915, and after undergoing a course in the Inns of Courts Officers Training Corps he was gazetted in February. He went to the front a few weeks later and was home on leave recently. His elder brother, Lieutenant T. Neill, was killed in action over a year ago.”
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
17 AUGUST 1917

Died in hospital at Ismailia, EDWARD HARRISON KINGSBURY, (53), Corps of Royal Engineers – Theatre of war, Egypt – husband of L. E. M. Kingsbury, Milne Cottage, 43 Manse Street, Saltcoats.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 AUGUST 1881

SALTCOATS – ANNUAL HOLIDAY

Yesterday was observed as the annual holiday by the merchants of Saltcoats, Stevenston, and Ardrossan.

Favoured with good weather, considerable numbers left the three towns. By steamers there were excursions to Campbeltown, and through the Kyles of Bute to Rothesay and Kilmun, the latter being the popular route.

Cheap trips to Glasgow, Ayr, and Kilmarnock by Glasgow and South-Western Railway were well patronised.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
19 AUGUST 1917

Died at sea, First Mate ALEXANDER MITCHELL, S.S. Gartness – Theatre of war, at sea – husband of Catherine Rigby Mitchell, Myrtle Bank, Saltcoats.

The S.S. Gartness was torpedoed by submarine U40 when 180 miles off Malta and en route from Ergasteria to Middlesbrough with a cargo of manganese ore, lead, and arsenic.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 AUGUST 1906

RAILWAY ACCIDENT
COLLISION AT SALTCOATS
70 PERSONS INJURED

To the list of railway accidents which have marked the current holiday season another falls to be added.

Unfortunately, it is one of the most serious which has occurred in the district.

In recent months the Caledonian Railway Company have had an unhappy experience; but the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Company, with one comparatively slight exception, have enjoyed a wonderful immunity from the risks of the railway enterprise……….This was rudely broken on Saturday afternoon (18 August 1906)……….On this occasion two passenger trains were in collision at Saltcoats Station. While the damage to the rolling stock was not great, the number of people reportedly injured was abnormal. Fortunately the bulk of the injuries were of a slight nature. Out of about seventy, only three were regarded as serious.

BLOCK ON THE LINE

……….About one o’clock a mineral train from Dalry to Ardrossan broke down at Auchenharvie Colliery Junction, which is situated between Saltcoats and Stevenston. An axle of the engine snapped, and, of course, the train was brought to a complete stand-still. This closed up the line from Stevenston to Saltcoats.

In these circumstances the traffic in both directions was worked by hand signalling over the down line. It was conducted under the charge of a pilotsman. When a breakdown of this character occurs the chief official of the district undertakes this responsible work. On this occasion it fell to the stationmaster at Saltcoats.

At the time of the accident to the mineral train the augmented service of passenger trains given on Saturdays was in full force, and by the time the pilotsman began his duties trains were waiting to be dealt with on each side of the block. These were safely directed until the arrival of the trains involved in the disaster.

These were the 2.10 p.m. and the 2.25 p.m. from Glasgow. Both had Largs as their destination.

The 2.10 p.m. is a “Saturday only” train and according to the time-table, after calling at Paisley at 2.24 it in ordinary time would run express to Saltcoats, where it is timed to arrive at 2.53 p.m., Largs being reached about half an hour later.

The other train makes more stoppages on the way, being due at Saltcoats at 3.22 p.m. and at Largs at 4.02 p.m

Owing to the block both were delayed half an hour, and it would be about half-past three o’clock when the 2.10 was sent forward to Saltcoats, which was reached at 3.35 p.m. Unfortunately further delay was caused through the driver running past the platform, which necessitated the train being shunted back to the stopping place.

THE COLLISION – VEHICLES TELESCOPED

A large number of passengers alighted at Saltcoats, and the guard was preparing to give the signal to resume the journey when to his horror the second train suddenly ran into the rear of the stationary one……….The crash of the impact was heard in the business part of the town, 600 yards away. The composite guard’s van of the 2.10 train was telescoped with the next carriage for half its length, the curving roof projecting over the top of the carriage with which it was interlocked.


PEOPLE LOCALLY CONNECTED WHO WERE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF INJURED:-

W. COYLE, firemaster, Nobel’s Explosives Company, Stevenston – injury to back and shock.

J. A. PATERSON, Caledonia Road, Saltcoats – severe injury to face.

GEORGE McSKIMMING, 54 Canal Street, Saltcoats – injury to face and leg.

Mr. McLAUGHLAN, Canal Street, Saltcoats – injury to face and legs.

JOHN FREER, St. Andrew’s Villa, Caledonia Road, Saltcoats – badly bruised.

[A full report of this accident, including names and addresses of all those injured; local doctors in attendance; and interviews with passengers, is included in the newspaper of the above date.]
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
21 AUGUST 1906

SALTCOATS COLLISION
CONDITION OF THE INJURED

On inquiry at the Royal Infirmary yesterday we were informed that the brothers Young are making satisfactory progress.

Henry, who had one of his legs amputated below the knee, is reported to be doing well.

James is suffering badly from shock, but has no bones broken.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
21 AUGUST 1909

FIRE IN SALTCOATS

Early yesterday morning fire broke out in a two-storey building in Bradshaw Street, Saltcoats.

When first observed the fire was burning fiercely in the upper flat and had gain a firm hold. The flames spread to a hall at the rear, and it was demolished. When the roof of the building fell in the fire spread to the ground floor, which is occupied by Mr. Hugh Newall, furniture dealer, and contained a large stock. The brigade poured in a great quantity of water on this section of the building and prevented it from catching alight, but the water and dirt completely ruined the furniture &c. The outbreak was confined to this building and ultimately extinguished.

The loss is estimated at from £600 to £800, and is covered by insurance.

The building destroyed formerly belonged to the Town Council, and was recently purchased by the local Freemasons, the intention being to erect a masonic temple on the site.

The part where the fire is supposed to have originated is not tenanted.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
22 AUGUST 1892

REGATTA

On Saturday afternoon several races which were postponed from the previous Saturday owing to unfavourable weather were decided.

There was a good attendance of spectators. Provost McIsaac officiated as commodore.

Sailing race for silver cup for first and second class line boats – four boats started in this race, which was looked forward to with considerable interest.

The course was a triangular one, from the barge off the quay round Campbell’s Rock (towards Ardrossan) to a buoy boat about a mile outside of Saltcoats harbour. Distance, about five miles, twice round.

The boats which started were:-

GLANCE (D. McCallum, junior); PRESS ON (Alexander Blair); COILA, (R. Hogarth); and POLLY (William Shedden).

After passing Campbell’s Rock on the first round COILA overhauled the other boats, and took the lead, improving her position, and arriving 3½ minutes in front of PRESS ON (the second boat), thus winning. The other two boats retired from the race.

Boys’ races also took place.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
23 AUGUST 1909

SAND CASTLE COMPETITION AT SALTCOATS

On Saturday afternoon the second sand castle building competition of the season was held on the west beach, Saltcoats.

A large portion of the beach was divided into plots, each competitor having a section. The exhibition was very successfully carried through, there being over 300 competitors. A gallery of nearly 3000 spectators inspected the work. Some of the exhibits were remarkably fine.

Mr. Adams, of Millport, officiated as judge.

Sports were afterward held in Melbourne Park for those who had entered for the sand building competition, the prizes being distributed at the close by Mrs. Christie and Miss Arnott.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
24 AUGUST 1908

SAND CASTLE COMPETITION

On Saturday a sand castle competition took place at Saltcoats. There were 52 entries, and the competition attracted a large number of spectators and was a great success.

At the close of the band performance in the evening, Mrs. Christie, wife of Bailie Christie, handed the prizes to the winners:-

SENIOR SECTION
GIRLS
1. Isa McLachlan, the subject being a seaside view;
2. May Carlisle, Saltcoats, bathing station;
3. Minnie Sillars, mineral well;
4. Nessie Robertson,
5. Muriel Dowdle
BOYS
1. Jack McLachlan, Old Parish Church;
2. Jack Christie, fort;
3. David McKay, quay;
4. Andrew B. Armour, South Beach Church.

JUNIOR SECTION
GIRLS
1. Maggie Templeton, cottage;
2. Dora Sillars, Burns’ Cottage;
3. Mina Kerr, shepherd’s house.
BOYS
1. William Mackay, house.
2. Donald McPherson, North Parish Church;
3. Vivian Hamilton, church.

Mr. Adams, Millport, and Mr. James Miller, junior, officiated as judges.

Councillor Arnott presided at the distribution.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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