New Coal Field.
The coal in Rlddochill estate, which was leased by Messrs G. Paul & Sons about two years ago, has, after the usual difficulties which must be encountered in sinking through such watery strata, been reached depth of 80 fathoms from the surface. The seams sank through are the jewel and main seams and are above the average thickness, and of excellent quality. There are two shafts fitted up with the most approved machinery, and the other arrangements are being carried out on the most modern principles which, after being completed, will enable this enterprising firm to produce large output from both shafts. On Monday last upwards of twenty ladies and Gentlemen visited the collieries, and congratulated Messrs Paul on their success. Mrs Gavin Paul, wife of the junior member of the firm, was also present. This was her first visit to the collieries, and in order to show their good feelings the workmen had decorated various prominent places in the works with flags. Mr Paul, senior member of the firm, met the party at the office, and they were afterwards conducted over the surface arrangements by Mr Annan, the manager. After visiting the new colliery at Riddochill, where various large blocks of coal taken from the shaft were laid ont for inspection, they adjourned to the office, where they were entertained to luncheon purveyed by Aitchison, Queen Street, Edinburgh. Several toasts were afterwards proposed, the chief of which was “ success to the firm,” given by Mr Gill, Edinburgh, and replied to by Messrs Paul. The company were then conducted down No 2. pit, Mosside colliery, by Mr Miller, underground manager, Into some of the workings. There each of the ladies had opportunity of digging a small piece of coal, which they carried away as souvenirs of the visit. Regaining the surface, the company left the works highly delighted with all they had seen.
Linlithgowshire Gazette, 4th July 1891
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......coal was struck Riddochhill in August, 1891, and at present there are two pits there employing 250 men, and lately an electric pumping plant was put down at great expense, and the colliery is lit by electricity. The coal finds a ready market in the oil works of the district.
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DEPRESSING OUTLOOK LOCAL COAL INDUSTRY.
A few weeks ago Riddochhill Colliery, as then announced, was taken over from Messrs Paul and Son by the firm of Wm. Baird and Co. The prospect of new developments in the working of this colliery was then adverted to, but the outlook for the workers seems now much more serious than was anticipated. The workers, of whom there are 500, are on one day’s notice, and the enginemen are present working on fourteen days’ notice, with the prospect of the colliery being temporarily stopped at the end this month. This step is being taken, it understood, with view to widening the present shaft, re-barring it, and making connection with other seams. The sinking operations will employ less than 30 men, and this part of the work will probably take six months to carry through, while the completion of the proposed alterations and extensions, with the installing of the necessary machinery and gear, will not likely be accomplished in less than a further twelve months. The mine at Mosside will only furnish employment for about 20 men, and while it is the purpose of the company to find places for some of the men at their other collieries in the neighbourhood, it obvious that for the next eighteen months the majority of the workers will be hard put to it find work in the district. The prospect thertfore a very gloomy one. and is causing great anxiety among those affected, as well asnong tradesmen in the district.
Falkirk Herald, 18th March 1922
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SOME INTERESTING DETAILS.
Under the regime of Messrs G. Paul and Sons, Ltd., Riddochhill Colliery, Bathgate ceased to draw coal on 11th April. Messrs Baird and Coy., who already own Hopetoun Collieries, after 11th April then took over and prepared for a large reconstruction 'scheme. In the first place arrangements were made for making a large excavation from the surface down to the rock, a distance of five fathoms. Following the excavation. beams, nine inches square, were put into the hard strata and on these a scaffold erected. The old wood work was then taken out and new wood, consisting of the best pitch pine, three iches thick, was put in. A carrying beam 12 x 5 inches was put in centre of the shaft, and beams, 12x 4 inches, at each end, each lift being built up nn these carriers, and each lift was between 40 and 50 feet. During these operations the shaft had to be ripped at varying widths from 3 to 12 inches, as the new cages are much wider than those formerly in use. As each section of barring was completed, wall plates were put in. also corner wrackings and hunting. The end wall plates were of pitch pine, 10 x 3, and the mid wall plates 11 x 3. Bunting for end wall plates wa.s 4 x 6 and for mid wall plates 5x 7. The first section of the new herring has hunting every 2 feet for mid wall and bunting every 4 feet at end walls. These are filled in between with pitch pine, leaving a winding space of 7 cables and about 3 feet on the dip side for pumping space. After first section had been completed the width between the centre of the centre hunting was increased to 9 feet 9 inches. This was carried out to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 72 fathoms. The bottom has been stripped of its old timber and 33 feet steel girders put in. These rest on side walls built with brick and cement from 3 to 4 feet thick. This work has been accomplished in the short time of 32 days, due to the foresight of Mr MPliee, who had every thing in readiness. thus giving the men every facility. The shaft has been lit up with electricity and has proved a great help. Sinking operations started on Monday afternoon of this week. It is expected that they will accomplish the work of sinking about 100 fathoms in about four months. In sinking compressed air is used, which works the hammer drills. The cage will be in use all the time instead of the old time "kettle." The sinking operations and the developing of the inner seams are under the direction of Mr lll`Phee, manager, and Mr John Campbell, under manager. Before the year it is hoped that coal will be worked at Riddochhill Colliery.
West Lothian Courier, 9th June 1922
