East Wemyss, Michael Colliery
Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Site Name East Wemyss, Michael Colliery
Classification Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Coaltown Of Wemyss
Canmore ID 53967
Site Number NT39NW 23
NGR NT 3356 9611
NGR Description Centred NT 3356 9611
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/53967
- Council Fife
- Parish Wemyss
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Kirkcaldy
- Former County Fife
NT39NW 23 3356 9611
Sunk 1895 and closed by a fire in 1967 although the surface buildings and the two steel-girder headframes survive.
J R Hume 1977.
Surface structures demolished and site cleared by 2001, leaving only concrete plinths marking the site of the two shafts. MKO, 05 December 2001.
MICHAEL Colliery
Location: East Wemyss
Previous Owners: Wemyss Coal Company
Types of Coal: House and Steam
Sinking/Production Commenced: 1895/1898
Year Closed: 1967
Average Workforce: 2,598
Peak Workforce: 3,353
Peak Year: 1957
Shaft/Mine Details: 2 original shafts, both 549m in 1948 (No. 1 downcast, NT 3357 9612, and No. 2 upcast, NT 3356 9610). Closed because of fire in 1967. Pumping only from 1968. Resinking in 1926 and deepening and enlargements of shafts in 1930s to aid ventilation and prepare for the exploitation of undersea coals. Third shaft (also downcast) added at NT 3364 9624 in 1928. Steam winder supplied by 13 Lancashire boilers built on site of old power station in 1932.
Details in 1948: Output 2,330 tons per day, 633,037 tons per annum. 2,027 employees. (No washer). Baths (1937) designed by J A Dempster for 2,552 men (with 122 cubicles) and 96 women (10 cubicles), canteen, first-aid room. Electricity and steam, own supply. Report dated 06-08-1948.
Other Details: Michael became the largest producer of coal in Scotland, and the Wemyss Coal Company's showpiece pit, despite continuous problems of gas and spontaneous combustion. Whilst still Scotland's biggest pit, and after massive investment, a disastrous fire broke out on 9 September 1967, destroying the new reserves. Although 302 men escaped, nine were killed. The disaster highlighted many safety issues, including the dangers of using polyurethane foam in underground workings, and the lack of portable respiratory equipment. A resulting campaign by Scottish National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) leader Michael McGahey resulted in the mandatory issue of self-rescuers (breathing aids) to all personnel working underground, and the installation of new emergency telephone systems.
M K Oglethorpe 2006.
