Pit No17

Did the chilling winds of a Glasgow summer ever reach the depths of Cadder Pit No 17? Cadder Pit No 17 stands as a silent testament to a tragic day in Glasgow’s history. On Sunday, August 3rd, 1913, smoke filled the interconnected tunnels of Cadder Colliery. A fire, likely sparked near a cabin used by the firemen, rapidly spread through the mine. Twenty-two men lost their lives that day, trapped by the smoke and fumes. Cadder Pit No 17 served as the upcast shaft for the colliery, the very passage through which the deadly smoke escaped. Imagine the scene: a frantic search for survivors, hampered by the lack of rescue equipment. The nearest rescue brigade, equipped with the necessary breathing apparatus, arrived from Cowdenbeath, Fife, some fifty miles away, precious hours later. While Cadder Pit No 17 may appear as just another marker on the landscape, it represents a poignant chapter in Glasgow’s industrial past, a sobering reminder of the risks miners faced and the devastating consequences of a mine fire. The disaster at Cadder Pit No 17 led to important inquiries about safety regulations, including the provision of rescue equipment and the training of rescue brigades. It underscored the need for clear procedures in emergencies, highlighting the importance of communication and knowledge of escape routes within the mine. Cadder Pit No 17 stands as a memorial to those who perished, a silent echo of a tragedy that shaped mining safety practices.