BLANTYRE EXPLOSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1934, Page 4

BLANTYRE EXPLOSION

1 •■TAM” BLACK DEAD. , ‘‘Tam - ’ Black, of Overton, who was the sole survivor of the men working at.the coal face in the Blantyre pit ’ disaster of 1877, died recently (says the “Wishaw Press.”) Tho Blantyre pit disaster was one of the worst in the annals of the Scottish mining industry, and “Tam” Black, saw 300 of his comrades perish by his side. A terrific explosion occurred aiid immediately plunged the • pit- into an indescribable melee of falling coal and splintered props. Mr. Black was brought to the. surface alive, but unrecognisable even to his friends except by a ring which he wore on his finger. A young girl, who only a few days before had become engaged to him, rushed to the pithead and dressed his injuries. For many months she called daily at his home and nursed him back to health. Two years after they wore married, and enjoyed more than 50 years of married happiness before Mrs. Black dieiLa tew years ago. For a number of years after the Blantyre .disaster Mr. Black was unable to pursue his occupation as a miner, but when he did return to the pit he worked in a. colliery near Garrion Bridge, where he had as his mate . a. young minor named Robert Smillie. Tho two became firm friends, and]’ Tam helped tho man who was to be- ' conic the greatest leader of the miners

in his early attempts to organise the pit workers. Mr. Black is survived by one son, two daughters, 15 grand-children and 8 great-grand-children. A Mother lives at Blackball.