Proprietors of the Shotts Iron Works, founded 1801
The Abandonment of the SS Hazel
..... that cargo consisted of 70 tons 10 cwts of Polkemmet Gas Coal.....Witnesses were then heard. Mr. Ralph Moore, Inspector of Mines for the Eastern District of Scotland said that the Polkemmet seam of coal belonged to the Shotts Iron Compay, and was very much similar to the Boghead coal used in the manufacture of Young's Paraffin Oil and which was the most valuable coal in Scotland or England. There was hardly any sulphur or pyrites in it, and it was not liable to generate gas. From his experience he had not found it liable to combustion. Its value commercially was 10, or that of ordinary house coal. Stowed entirely by itself and securely covered up from contract with inferior coal, it would be quite safe. If however it were to come into contact with a low red heat, the effect would be the ordinary one of spontaneous combustion of coal cargoes in ships
Glasgow Evening Post, 14th August 1883
