Inkerman pits
The term "Inkerman pits" was often applied to the Abercorn pits and the Douglas pits, which lay close to the village of Inkerman and supplied some to the shale consumed by Inkerman Oil Works. Nevertheless publications, such as Annual Minerals Statistics and lists of mines, often listed Inkerman separately from Abercorn and Douglas. This could suggest the presence of other pits that are still to be identified. Mineral statistics list Inkerman as:
- worked as a colliery by Merry & Cunninghame in 1874, 1877 and 1879
- worked as a colliery by Walkinshaw Oil Co. in 1880
- worked for fireclay and ironstone by Merry & Cunninghame (Jas Baird, manager) in 1896
On Saturday last a fatal accident occurred at one of Messrs. Merry & Cunningham's ironstone pits, situated near laundrymen, about two mile 6 west of Paisley. While a miner, it appears, named M'Murray, was engaged at his work, large quantity of ironstone fell from the roof of the pit upon him. Several hours elapsed before the body could be got out, which was very much crushed. Some other miners, who were in the pit, made a narrow escape when the casualty happened. The body was removed to Millarston near Paisley, where the deceased resided. Another Fatal Accident.—As above stated, it was only on Saturday last that a man named M'Murray was killed by an accident in one of the ironstone pits at Inkerman. It is with pain we have to add, that on Monday afternoon an accident of a similar nature occurred at one of Mr. Dixon's pits, in the neighbourhood of Johnstone, whereby a workman named Matthew Boyle lost his life. Deceased has left a widow and one child to lament his loss.
The Paisley & Renfrewshire Advertiser, 22nd May 1858
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Fatal Railway Accident. —A miners drawer named James Muldoon, 31 years of age, was run over, on Thursday forenoon by an engine and three waggons loaded with ironstone char, on the railway between Walkinshaw ironstone pit and the Abercorn and other pits belonging to Messrs. Merry & Cunninghame. The deceased was walking the centre of the line, and although the guard called him he never looked up, and was knocked down and run over. His injuries were serious that died about one o'clock the same day. The deceased has left a widow and six children.
The Paisley & Renfrewshire Advertiser, 10th April 1869