Alfred Nobel's Dynamite Factory at Ardeer.....

camweh · Post by **camweh** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:30 am

Many people researching family in North Ayrshire, particularly in the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilwinning, Irvine and surrounds, will have had ancestors who worked in Alfred Nobel's Dynamite factory at Ardeer. Almost all my ancestors going back to the 1880s worked there including my father, mother and my wife (before I whisked her off to Australia).

I've uploaded an article to the web from McClure's Magazine dated 1897 which should be of interest to those who like to get a bit of background into the local work situation there at that time.

The article : Ardeer Dynamite Factory 1897

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:32 am

Hughie

Most interesting. Thanks for that.

In the illustration on p4 showing the operator watching the themometer, note that while he is sitting, it's on a one legged stool, so no chance that he can nod off, even for a few seconds

These days, - the chemical engineer in me speaking, and I've visited the modern works, - the control system is more complex, but performs exactly the same function

David

camweh · Post by **camweh** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:37 am

DavidWW wrote: In the illustration on p4 showing the operator watching the themometer, note that while he is sitting, it's on a one legged stool, so no chance that he can nod off, even for a few seconds
David

Well spotted David, I never even noticed that

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:39 pm

camweh wrote:
DavidWW wrote: In the illustration on p4 showing the operator watching the themometer, note that while he is sitting, it's on a one legged stool, so no chance that he can nod off, even for a few seconds
David
Well spotted David, I never even noticed that

On a visit to ICI Nobel Division as it was the time, at Ardeer, about 35 years ago, I saw the stool that they've kept in the nitroglycerine control room:!:

I haven't read the atricle word for word, but didn't see any mention of the side effects to constant exposure to nitroglycerine, one of which is acute headaches. I have a memory of having read somewhere that there was a local nickname for this condition.

Other common side effects may include: dizziness, flushed skin (neck and face), headache, light-headedness and some less common effects include: diarrhea, fainting, heart pounding, low blood pressure, nausea, numbness, pallor, restlessness, severe allergic reactions, skin rashes and eruptions, sweating, vertigo, vomiting, weakness.

Could the "pallor" be the "pale complexion" referred to?

David

camweh · Post by **camweh** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:55 am

DavidWW wrote: Could the "pallor" be the "pale complexion" referred to?
David

Yes David, that was my understanding.
When the Dynamite factory shut down for the Glasgow fair fortnight, many of the workers developed blinding headaches through withdrawal symptoms. They got to smuggling small bits of nitorglycerine out so they could have a wee sniff now and again to ward off the headaches.

A friend told me his wife did this, while he had a small piece of cordite which he said helped him, though it wasn't as strong as the nitroglycerine.

I'm told that nitroglycerine is used in those medicinal sprays for people with angina - it opens up the arteries. What was mentioned to me was that perhaps the arteries of those folks on holiday narrowed from what they were normally at work causing the headaches, hence the need for the fix.

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:17 pm

Haw Shug !

Get yersel a copy o' the Feb 2006 edition of "Scottish Memories" for an article that will really interest you.

David

PS Exactly the same picture

camweh · Post by **camweh** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:21 am

Many thanks for the heads-up on that David. It'll be in our local newsagents so I'll have a look Monday morning. I'm not goin' oot the hoose today - it's like a blast furnace out there - to be 42 Celsius.

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 4:16 am

For those who are interested in small or large bangs, this site might be interesting http://www.kylesofbute.com/gunpowder.html

It seems it that powder was popular in the West.

Thrall

Scozzie · Post by **Scozzie** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:29 am

Hi Camweh - if I'd known you were there I would have dropped in for a beer yesterday - we were visiting Mum in Law at Portarlington. I'm gonna be really good for the rest of my life..... if I'm having trouble in Oz, I'm not gonna like hell.

camweh · Post by **camweh** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:22 am

Hi Scozzie,
Afraid we were outa town yesterday babysitting for our kids. Next time you're around there's a couple of coldies in the fridge or a cuppa if you prefer PM me next time.