The Blantyre mining disaster which happened on the morning of October 22, 1877, in Blantyre, Scotland, was and remains Scotland’s worst. Blantyre Colliery, William Dixons pit numbers 1 and 2 both blasted killing 207 miners. It was known that fire damp was present in the pit and it is likely that this was ignited by a naked flame.
At this time rescue arrangements were inadequate and Alexander Macdonald, president of the Miners' National Association and a former miner prevented the surviving employees from attempting a rescue attempt, on safety grounds.
There was another explosion, this time at Dixons pit number 1, on July 2, 1879, with the loss of 28 lives.
Soon after the explosions William Dixon Ltd. erected a large granite monument to mark both disasters. The dedication reads "William Dixon Ltd. in memory of 240 of their workmen who were killed by explosions in Blantyre Colliery on 22nd October, 1877 and 2nd July 1879 and many of whom are buried here"
Blantyre works, or Low Blantyre, lies 1 3/4 miles to the N E on the left bank of the Clyde, opposite Bothwell, with which it is connected by a fine suspension bridge, and near Blantyre station (with a Post Office under Glasgow) on the Clydesdale section of the Caledonian.
In Blantyre he was born; and within a short distance of his birthplace it is proposed to (1881) to build, at the cost of £4,000, a memorial UP Church, in the tower of which his statue will be placed.
There is a chapel at the Blantyre Mills, erected by the company for the accommodation of the work-people employed there, and containing sittings for 400 persons; the minister's stipend is paid, one-half by the proprietors of the works, and the other half from the seat-rents.
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