MEMORIAL CAIRN

Donibristle Disaster 26th August 1901

On 26th August 1901 there was an inflow of moss at Donibristle Colliery, in Fife, owned by Donibristle Coal Co. causing the loss of eight lives.

Two men David Campbell and Alexander Smith were working at the heading, probing upwards with a rod as part of operations to form an air shaft. At 1.40pm the moss burst in killing both men and another two men working in the lower levels. Six others were trapped and two rescue parties were formed - one party of four led by Thomas Rattray was never seen again.

The next day, rescuers lowered on ropes down a shaft succeeded in freeing 5 of the trapped men. While searching for the sixth man Alexander Bauld, two of these rescuers, John Jones and John Sheddon were trapped as the moss once more flowed in. These men were rescued on the 29th by Robert Law, miner, Cowdenbeath.