Newcraighall Colliery
Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Newcraighall Colliery
Classification Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Klondyke Pit
Canmore ID 132500
Site Number NT37SW 234
NGR NT 3165 7185
NGR Description Centred NT 3165 7185
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/132500
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT37SW 234 3165 7185.
(Location cited as NT 3177 7181). NEWCRAIGHALL (also known as THE KLONDYKE)
Location: Portobello
Previous Owners: Benhar Coal Company, Niddrie and Benhar Coal Company from 1882
Types of Coal: House and Manufacturing, and shale
Sinking/Production Commenced: 1897
Year Closed: 1968
Year Abandoned: 1970
Average Workforce: 760
Peak Workforce: 810
Peak Year: 1950
Shaft/Mine Details: 2 surface mines in 1897. By 1948, 1 shaft (downcast, 4.88m diameter, 249m deep, sunk in 1910), 1 incline (1 in 4, 207m, 14.88m by 7.44m, direct rope haulage).
Details in 1948: Output 900 tons per day, 225,000 tons per annum. 686 employees. Simon Carves Baum-type washer. Baths and canteen (opened 1938, for 960 men), first-aid room, ambulance. Electricity bought from SE Scotland Electricity Board. Report dated 15-07-1948.
Other Details: Also known as the Klondyke. Double shifts introduced in 1959 because of high demand for coal, but in 1962 attempts at improved underground mechanisation failed. In 1967, prior to closure, average daily output through longwall working was 700 tons. Surface buildings demolished and site subsequently occupied by a pub and a hotel.
M K Oglethorpe 2006.
