Boghead No.10 pit

A pit on the Boghead estate, reaching the Boghead Coal at 42 fathoms. Not shown on the 1855 OS map and marked as a derelict site, cleared of pithead buildings in 1895. Sunk by James Russel & Son, but subsequently reopened by Young's Paraffin Light & Mineral Oil Co..in c.1880. The workings appear to have been linked underground to Young's Boghead No.25 mine.

The Inspector on Mines' Mineral Statistics for 1883 list two pits in the Boghead estate operated by Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co. Ltd. No.25 was a dip mine to the Colinburn Coal which was worked by the longwall method, and employed 12 surface workers and 70 underground. The size of the downcast shaft was 10x6 ft and was 2,376 feet deep. It had 2 splits or currents, each current was 1,550 yards and the sectional area of airways was 20 sq.ft. With a throughput os 7,500 feet per minute. Ventilation was by furnace, and it was a non-fiery mine. No.10 pit served as the upcast shaft for these workings, the shaft being 10ft x 4 ft and 240 ft deep.

Newspaper References

A large brick stalk, nearly 70 feet high, at No. 10 Pit, Heatherfield, nearly two miles from Bathgate, belonging to Messrs James Russell and Son, has been blowu down.

Falkirk Herald, 30th January 1868

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JAMES RUSSEL & SON are now SELLING the BALL COAL, from No. 10 Pit, Boghead, Rathgate, 3d per Ton, on the Hill. .Falkirk, 12th June, 1868.

Falkirk Herald, 18th June 1868

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PIT ACCIDENT IN BATHGATE - Late last night Andrew Henderson (33), residing in Durhamtown, had his leg fractured by a fall of coal and dirt at Boghead Pit No.10, belonging to Young's Oil Company.

Glasgow Evening Citizen, 19th January 1892

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Pit Accident- On Wednesday a miner named Charles Brennan, employed at No. 10 Boghead Pit, belonging to Young’s Oil Company, was severely injured. Brennan was in the act of coming out the drawing road with a loaded hutch, when it caught on the roof and brought away large piece of rock, which fell on his head and arms, crushing them severely. He was removed home, and his injuries were attended to Dr Kirk, who had to stitch his head two places.

Linlithgowshire Gazette, 10th June 1893