Glen Albyn Distressing Accident Two Men Suffocated 1851
This report comes from the Aberdeen Journal and was published on Wednesday, 26th November 1851, having come from the Inverness Courier. And looking at it, I'd envisage the accident took place on Tuesday 18th November and I've transcribed it below, adding some paragraphs for ease of reading.
Distressing Accident - Two Men Suffocated
'On Tuesday evening last, at a few minutes after six o' clock, an occurrence of a very melancholy character took place at the Glen Albyn Distillery here, which resulted in the death of two men, one a workmen employed there and the other a poor stranger.
It is necessary at intervals to cleanse out the vats, or rather the wash-backs - large covered wooden tubs, ten or twelve feet deep, with an opening at the top. This is done when they are empty, but as carbonic gas is generated in them, in considerable quantities during the distillation process, it is a standing regulation that they are only to be entered on special orders to that effect and after the state of the gas has been ascertained.
On the evening in question this rule was violated by one of the workmen named Macgillivray, who recklessly entered the tub to clean it, without instructions and without the requisite precautions having been first taken. he had no sooner got to the bottom, than the alarm was raised that he was suffocated, when the engineer, Alexander Grant, at once went down to assist him.
Grant fell instantly, choked by the gas; when a third man, named Macleod, descended to draw them out. He, too, fell down: when a fourth named Fraser entered; but he also became insensible and helpless.
An occurrence too dreadful and alarming might well have unnerved the bravest, but another workman, named Charles Mackintosh, sprung in unhesitatingly, having a rope around his waist, held by the other workmen, who had gathered round in the most excited state.
Mackintosh first got hold of Macgillivray, who had struggled up, and he was at once drawn out. Fraser was next got at, lifted, and taken out; and after him the other two men, who were all carried into the neighbouring houses attached to the work.
Dr Forbes fortunately was in the neighbourhood of the distillery at the moment; he was sent for, and was instantly in attendance. He found two of the men, Grant and Macleod, quite dead, and Macgillivray and Fraser insensible. The proper means to assist their recovery were of course instantly taken; and we are glad to say they are promising fairly.'
I discussed this sad story with Alan Winchester for his insight, and he commented that:
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