A substantial, but short-lived, pit usually referred to as Netherton pit, which was linked to Southrigg No. 1 & 2 pits by a branch railway. A new pit, also known as Netherton was sunk to the west in 1939. See also; Southrigg Bogies and Butterflies.
References
Cutting the First Sod of Two New Coal Pits - Yesterday afternoon, at one o’clock, the officials of the United Collieries, Ltd., broke the sod of two new coal pits the farm Netherton, between the village Biackridge and Harthill. There was a large assembly of those connected with the combined collieries, and not few of the inhabitants of the district, including many well-known ladies and gentlemen. Sir David Richmond, ex-Lord Provost of Glasgow, performed tho ceremony of cutting the sod of the first pit, which will thereafter be named the Richmond Pit, and Mr Everdon. who came down expressly from London to represent Mr Morgan at that function, cut the sod of the second pit, which will receive his name. The company afterwards drove to the Caledonian Hotel, Fauldhouse where a banquet was held, and speech-making took place.
Linlithgowshire Gazette, 20th February 1903
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NETHERTON COLLIERY CLOSED. — After many weeks contradictory rumours., the miners working in this colliery were notified that operations would cease on Tondos until further iirders. It is understood that the company are about to introduce coalcutting machines. There were about 150 employed and with the prevalent distress in the district, through idle time, the closing of this colliery will not better the situation. The majority of the men thrown idle belong to the Blackridge district. A great many of the miners who have been thrown idle through the closing of Netherton Pit have experienced great difficulty in securing suitable employment in the pits round about. The checkweigher communicated with the officials of the County Union, with a view to try and get aliment for the men who could not get work. Mr Boyd, the checkweighman, has since received a reply stating" I regret to hear of the stoppage of Netherton colliery, and I beg to explain that aliment is not payable under our rules in ant case of a colliery stoppage. There has been a good many stoppages of a similar nature. and an aliment has never been paid. (signed) D. Gilmore" There is so much dissatisfaction in the district that a meeting of the men and their agents is expected at an early date.
West Lothian Courier 28th May 1909
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On Friday lost the Blackridge district was visited by a thunderstorm). accompanied with heavy shower of hail. About eleven o'clock the chimney at Netherton Pit. which stands at 130 feet high, and belonging to the United Colliery Company, was struck by lightning. There were three flashes of great brilliance, but it was the first one that did the damage. It was observed to come along the line of electric wires from tho power station, and pass straight across by the chimney. striking the top, and going right down into the foundation. The fireman—Mr S. More was the first to see that the chimney had been struck, as it caused a great back draught.
There were only two men and a boy in the enginehouse at the time—Mr James Paterson. engineman, and Mr Edward Edwards. and a messenger lad, Master A. Rodger. The first indication that they had was the burning of the electric fuse wires, and the breaking of many panes of glass and a shower of lime and broken bricks falling upon the roof and windows of the engine -house. The fields for about three hundred yards round about were strewn with brick, and some of them were even found near Polkemmet Pit. The lightning was followed by two heavy peals of thunder. The message boy had rather a narrow escape as he was only waiting in the enginehouse to allow a heavy shower of hail to pass, or he might have been travelling that part of the road where the debris had fallen thickest.
The colliery had not been working for some time, and only seven men were down below when the lightning struck the chimney stalk. These were quickly brought to the surface. Everything was then brought to a standtill. It was thought that there was great danger of the stalk falling on the top of the engines. Mr C. Kippen, steeplejack. Rutherglen. who arrived with his men to take it down on Saturday, said that in all his experience, he had never seen a chimney so utterly wrecked as this one was The dangerous task of razing it to the ground accomplished about two o'clock. The bottom was blown out with dynamite, four charges being prepared, and the stalk fell straight and in compact heap. The steeplejacks were ably assisted by the pit staff. A good number of spectators were present. We give a photograph of the chimney as it appeared after being struck by the lightning. The photograph is by Mr Esau Edward, Blackridge.
West Lothian Courier, 13th May 1910
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NEW COLLIERY.—Preparatory work for the sinking of a new mine at Netherton, Harthill, by United Collieries, Ltd., was begun this week, when a number of men were engaged in the construction of foundations for the pithead. When the mine is fully developed, work, it is estimated, will be available for 150 for a considerable number of years.
West Lothian Courier, 4th August 1939
