Pit in the lands of Stoneyburn, perhaps Stoneyburn No.2, as it seems likely to have been operation at the time of the first Ordnance Survey in 1853, whereas a nearby pit, perhaps Stoneyburn No.1, was marked as disused. To the BM (Balbardie Main?) coal at 35 fathoms.
- The 1885 List of Mines records Stoneyburn pit at Foulshields, owned by Robert Henderson. manager R. Henderson, working the Wilsontown Main and 5' coal by the stoop and room method, employing 6 on the surface and 37 underground. The downcast shaft was 9' x 5' and 210 ft deep, the upcast was 4' x 5' and 270 feet deep. It was a non-fiery mine ventilated by furnace.
References
Fatal Coal Pit Accident.
On Tuesday morning week serious accident occurred at Stoneyburn Pit, Whitburn parish, presently in the course of being sunk for minerals. The water pipes were being replaced in the pit, and two men were engaged on scaffold suspended about 18 fathoms down, screwing the ends of the pipes together. The fastening of the large rope gave way from some cause, and the pipes (weighing 4j tons) were plunged to the bottom in; but the rope being connected with a crane over the pit-mouth, the weight the pipes going down caused the crane to fly up in the air and strike the bell-crank of the engine machinery. The crane was knocked to pieces, and the bell-crank broken two. A portion of the latter, with pieces of the broken crane, fell down and struck one man off the scaffold below into the water, where he perished. The other man escaped with slight injury ; but labourer who was beside the handle the crane, was struck by it on the head, and his skull was knocked in. Another man was also struck by the crane, but not injured seriously.- Edinburgh Guardian
Fife Herald, 30th June 1853
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COLLIERY APPARATUS FOR SALE.
To be Sold by Public Roup, Stoneyburn Colliery, about Four Miles from Bathgate, on Monday the 15th day of February current, One o'clock afternoon,
A Superior Horizontal, High-Pressure, STEAM ENGINE, 20-Inch Cylinder, 4 feet stroke; with 2 Boilers, 30 feet by 5 feet, and pumping and winding gearing. 36 Fathoms 15-lnch Pumps, with Working-Barrels, Clack-Seats, Pump-Rods, and Fittings, complete in two lifts. Engine and Boiler Seats. Pit-Head Frame and Pullies. One double-power Crab-Winch. One single-power do. do. . One Set very heavy Pulley-Blocks. About 20 Tons Cast-Iron Rails and Plates; and Hutches. A Quantity of Pump Rod Plates, Bolts, Beams of Wood, Bricks, &c. &c. Ready Money. Brock, Clark, & Sinclair, Writers, Bathgate. Bathgate, 13th February, 1858.
Falkirk Herald, 11th February 1858
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MINERAL FIELD IN LINLITHGOWSHIRE TO BE LET.
THE PARAFFIN SHALE, GAS COAL, IRONSTONE, HOUSE COAL, and other METALS and MINERALS in the LANDS of STONEYBURN in the Parish of Whitbarn.
The Lands of Stoneyburn are supposed to contain Shale and Gas Coal, and known to contain an excellent Seam of Household Coal, 4 feet 9 inches thick, or thereby, also a 3-feet seam. A Pit has been shanked to the Household Coal; and the same being in great demand, this Field thus affords an excellent opening for the commencement of a lucrative business. The Loop Line of the Cleland asnd Mid-Calder Railway is in course of formation through the Lands, by which and the other adjacent Railways a ready conveyance of the Minerals can be obtained. For further partlculars, apply to George Sinclair, Solicitor, Bathgate; or to the Proprietor, Mr. Waddell, Stoneyburn. with either of whom Offers may be lodged until 15th July next. Bathgate, 26th June, 1866.
Glasgow Herald, 4th July 1866