The return of the "Comet"

It is great to see the new model of the wonderful Comet steamship in place at Argylls' Parade, Port Glasgow.  

Looking great, the model replaces the 1962 replica which was removed in 2023 because it had fallen into disrepair (read more here).

The original Comet was built in 1812 by John Wood shipbuilder at his yard near this site.

The sign beside the Comet reads -

John Wood and the PS Comet 
“We certify that in the year 1811 we built for Mr Henry Bell, engineer, a small steam vessel of 40ft keel, 10ft 6in beam, called “The Comet”, she being the first vessel in Scotland, and that Mr Bell was the first person who projected and carried into effect in this Kingdom the use of steam vessels, which followed immediately his steps, and have proved, and are likely much further to prove, of such amazing importance.  This certificate was given at Mr Bell’s request, and for his use as he sees fit.”
John Wood & Co Port Glasgow, 10^th October 1826.

The sign continues with the following information -

"John Wood, born 1745, became foreman carpenter in Thomas McGill’s yard in Port Glasgow.  By 1781 he had his own business in the Port.  John purchased James Muir’s shipyard, at the west end of the town.  He was contracted to build Henry Bell’s steamship The Comet which was laid down in October 1811.  John died on 22^nd November and his son John completed the launch of the vessel on 24^th July 1812.
Steam Passage Boat, The Comet"

Then there is the wording of an advertisement which was published at the time -

"Between Glasgow, Greenock and Helensburgh for passengers only.
The subscribers having at much expense fitted up a handsome vessel to ply upon the River Clyde between Glasgow and Greenock – to sail with the Power of Wind, Air and Steam.
The elegance, comfort, safely and speed of this vessel requires only to be proved to meet the approbation of the Public and the Proprietor is determined to do everything in his power to merit public encouragement.
Passengers by the Comet will receive information of the hours of sailing by applying at Mr Houston’s Office, Broomielaw or Mr Thomas Blackney’s, East Quay Head, Greenock.  Henry Bell"

Henry Bell

Read about the unveiling ceremony which took place in June 2026 here.

John Hendry - Gourock Chapel of Ease

John Hendry was born in 1765 in Baldernock in Dumbartonshire, the second of three sons.  He attended the University of Glasgow where he became a student of divinity.  His final year of study was spent at the University of Edinburgh and was licenced to preach by the Presbytery of Dumbarton.  Not long afterwards, in 1789, he was elected to the Chapel of Ease at Gourock where he stayed for several years.  He was the fourth incumbent of the chapel and succeeded James Greenock (click on link to find out more).

The Chapel of Ease was built in Gourock in 1776 in the burial ground at what is now Chapel Street.  .  The parish church (now Old Gourock and Ashton Church) was not constructed until 1832.  Ministers (or readers) appointed to chapels of ease were licensed to preach, but could not administer the sacraments.

Gourock burying ground - site of chapel of ease

While at Gourock John Hendry married Mary Adam (1765-1858) in 1805.  Mary was the daughter of Rev Dr John Adam of the Mid Parish Church in Greenock.  Hendry later became friendly with Adam’s successor Rev Dr Scott.  

Mid Parish Church, Greenock

In 1796 he left Gourock and was presented by the Earl of Eglinton to the parish of Dalry in Ayrshire as assistant to the Rev John Fullarton (1735-1802).  John Fullarton had succeeded his father, also John Fullarton (d1761) to the charge at Dalry.  John, who in 1766 married Greenock woman Helen Donald, had a brother, Gavin Fullarton (1737-1795) who was a surgeon at Greenock and another brother, William a merchant in Greenock.  

Gravestone of Gavin and William Fullarton in Inverkip Street Cemetery, Greenock

On the death of John Fullarton in 1802, John Hendry, who had just been at Dalry as assistant, moved to Stevenston again as an assistant to Rev Dr James Wodrow (1730-1810).  He was the son of the well-known church historian Robert Woodrow.  Hendry remained at Stevenston until the death of Wodrow. 

St John's Church, Dalry

In June 1810 he was at last ordained as “assistant and successor” to Rev John Duncan (1750-1819) of Ardrossan.  On the death of Rev Duncan in 1819, he was appointed his successor and became a full parish minister.  A few years later, after a visit to the north of Scotland, he suffered a bout of typhus from which he never fully recovered.  He suffered problems with his speech which affected his communication both in the pulpit and with his parishioners.  As his health deteriorated, it was decided that he needed an assistant.   The Rev John Campbell Bryce (1800-1858) was appointed and began in 1828.  He was presented to the congregation by the Earl of Eglinton and was ordained officially as assistant and successor at Ardrossan in July 1830.

Rev John Hendry died in 1835.  He was (not very complementary) described as -

 “tall and stately and well-formed, although latterly he was corpulent and rather unwieldy.  His countenance was manly, and very expressive of good sense.  He was a person of great modesty and genuine humility; in large companies he spoke very little.”

John Hendry and Mary Adam had a son, John Adam Hendry (1806-1837) who became a surgeon in Ardrossan. 

Mary Adam’s father Rev Dr John Adam (1720-1792) was the second minister of the Mid Parish Church in Greenock.  She had two brothers – Robert a merchant in North Carolina and John, a merchant in Greenock.  You can read more abut the family on these Greenockian Blog posts –

Rev Dr John Adam of the Mid Parish, Greenock

Robert Adam Merchant – Greenock and Fayetteville, NorthCarolina

American Revolution and a bounty for Greenock sailors

The American War of Independence 1775-1783 greatly affected trade in Greenock and Port Glasgow.  British troops were sent to America and many left from Greenock.  The British Navy needed extra sailors, and while the press gangs were busy abducting local mariners, men who “volunteered” or could be induced financially to join up were more valuable.  However, it would appear that Greenock was full of patriotism at this time. 

Published in the Caledonian Mercury, February 1776.

In the History of the Town of Greenock published in 1829, Daniel Weir writes -

“On the breaking out of the American war in 1776, the people of Greenock rallied faithfully around their Sovereign; and, in proof of this, the following placards were posted on the corners of our streets, from the two great bodies which then composed the most important part of the population."

One of these notices  was issued by the Herring Fishing Society of the town (as shown above) it reads -

"The Busses herring Fishing Society of Greenock, impressed with a just abhorrence of the unnatural Rebellion in America, tending to the subversion of the present happy establishment, under the wisest and most moderate government, do therefore offer ONE GUINEA of BOUNTY, over and above his Majesty’s Royal Bounty, to each of the first hundred able bodied SEAMEN, who shall, betwixt and the 1^st day of March next, enter with Lieutenant Henry Constobadie, of his Majesty’s Navy, or the commanding officer for the time, at Greenock; from whom proper certificates must be procured, and lodged with Mr James Taylor merchant in Greenock, who will thereupon order immediate payment of the Society’s Bounty."

The second notice was issued by concerned Greenock merchants and is very much along the same lines as the first stating that they were -

“Desirous to promote the manning of His Majesty’s Navy with able seamen, having raised by subscription a sum of money for that purpose, do hereby offer a Reward of One Guinea, over and above his Majesty’s Bounty, to each of the first Sixty able Seamen belonging to the towns of Greenock, Crawfordsdyke, Gourock, and Inverkip not above Fifty nor under Eighteen years of age, who shall voluntarily enter to serve in his Majesty’s Navy with Lieutenant Henry Constobadie, or the Commanding Officer in Greenock for the time, betwixt and the twenty-ninth day of February next; to be paid by Joseph Tucker, Merchant in Greenock, upon a Certificate from the said Lieutenant Constobadie, or the Commanding Officer for the time.”

Was this strategy successful?  Weir writes that – 

“in a short time, a number of enterprising and excellent seamen 

were added to the navy.”

These previous posts give some idea of how ships from Greenock and Port Glasgow were affected by the American Revolutionary War.  Click on the links to read the posts -

An Appeal to Heaven - the ship Concord of Greenock and its cargo.

Ship Concord of Greenock - captured by the Americans - read about what happened to the crew of the concord after their capture and George Washington's involvement.

George Washington

Robert Burns and Highland Mary - their story

Today - the second Sunday in May - marks the anniversary of the parting of Robert Burns and Highland Mary at Failford in 1786. 

Since then, the story of the poet and his Highland Lassie has long captured the imagination of his admirers.  Numerous statues of the lovers, both as individuals and as a couple can be found all over the world.  Perhaps one of the best known statues of Highland Mary (Mary Campbell) can be found at Castle Hill in Dunoon.  Read and download a transcription of an article which appeared in the Greenock Telegraph in 1896 regarding Highland Mary and the Dunoon statue which was about to be unveiled.

130 years ago, in 1896 the Greenock Telegraph published a long, illustrated article to celebrate the unveiling of the statue by Lady Kelvin.  I have produced a transcription of that article with explanations of the various terms, poems and people mentioned in the article which you can read or download here.

cover of article

It is a lengthy work, but those interested in Greenock's local history may enjoy the pages which describe the events surrounding the laying of the foundation stone of the memorial to Highland Mary in Greenock's Old West Kirkyard in 1842.  At that time the church was at the north end of Nicolson Street.  The article also mentions local people and places which I have also highlighted - pages 26-36.  Hoepfully, the work will be of interest.

James Greenock of Gourock

 250 years ago, in 1776, Gourock got its first church.
A small chapel of ease was built in the old burial ground.

The chapel of ease was described as "a very small place of worship, with earthen floor, and only partially seated with rough benches.”  Before this was built, those wishing to attend worship had to travel from Gourock to the Auld Kirk at Inverkip.  For convenience a small place of worship was provided in Gourock, thus its name – chapel of ease.  The name is continued in the nearby Chapel Street.

Chapel Street Burial Ground, Gourock

According to Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae the first two ministers were, James Wilson minister from 1776-1777, the son of James Wilson, mariner Saltcoats and licenced by Presbytery of Irvine in 1765.  The second was Archibald Anderson minister in 1777.  The third minister, from 1780 until 1789 was James Greenock (sometimes written Grinock).

James Greenock was born in 1739, the son of James Grinock farmer in St Ninians, Stirling and educated at the University of Glasgow.  Although he had completed his theological studies, he was not ordained and was known as a licentiate of the Church of Scotland.  This was common practice for those appointed to chapels of ease rather than full time parish churches.  He was at Gourock Chapel of Ease for just 9 years before returning to St Ninian’s, Stirling where he lived a quiet life.  Occasionally he would preach when asked by other ministers.  James died in 1813 at the age of 73.

What is known about his life can be found in In a letter dated June 1813 and published in the Reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society.  The letter, written by the Rev Dr John Campbell of Edinburgh, was to highlight a donation to the Society by the Greenock family and giving an account of how that came about.

 

Of Rev James Greenock, Campbell writes that - “The life of the late Mr Greenock furnishes no incidents calculated to gratify curiosity.”  But goes on to add that he was “a pious and worthy man, eminently distinguished by that simplicity and godly sincerity, which are at once so essential and ornamental to the Christian character.  His manner was grave, and reserved to strangers, though open and cheerful among his confidential friends.  Humble, moderate, and contented, he lived much in retirement.”

James Greenock inherited the family farm at Whitehouse, Stirling after the death of his older brother John in 1810.  John’s will stated that after his brother James’ death, the funds from the estate were to be used for “pious and public purposes”.

In 1812, James Greenock issued a trust nominating several well-connected Edinburgh ministers as trustees and bequeathing the farm at Whitehouse (80 acres) and a considerable sum of money to the British and Foreign Bible Society.  Rev Dr John Campbell addressed his letter to the Right Honourable Lord Teignmouth.  John Shore, 1st Baron Teignmouth (1751-1834) was the first president of the British and Foreign Bible Society, elected at its formation in 1804.  The British and Foreign Bible Society was formed by, among others William Wilberforce to encourage the use and reading of the Bible.  It is still in existence today with the name – the Bible Society.

In the letter, Campbell assures Lord Teignmouth that James Greenock had the correct motives for the donation -  “My long acquaintance with this worthy man, and my knowledge of his views relative to his settlement, have led me to detail to your Lordship the circumstances in which this benefaction – the largest, I believe, that you have ever receive, devolves on the British and Foreign Bible Society.  It is not offered as an atonement for the crimes of a guilty life.  It is no compromise with conscience, for the enjoyment of property acquired by unjustifiable, or by questionable means.  Nor is it given as a price to purchase heaven”.

Advertisement for the sale of James Greenock's land.

The lands of Whitehouse were sold in 1819 and presumably the money received by the trustees was donated to the British and Foreign Bible Society.

James Greenock was succeeded at Gourock Chapel of Ease by John Henry who was minister there from 1789-1796.  

Dunghills and privies

In 1841 Dr William L Laurie wrote report on the sanitary conditions in Greenock for the Poor Law Commissioners of Scotland.  It is a remarkable description of the living conditions of the ordinary people of Greenock at that time.  Several of the descriptions are particularly dreadful.

Dr Laurie, whose consulting rooms were on Hamilton Street, writes -

“Behind my consulting rooms, where I am now sitting, there is a large dunghill with a privy attached; to my knowledge that dunghill has not been emptied for six months; it serves a whole neighbourhood, and the effluvium is so offensive that I cannot open the window.  The land is three stories high, and the people, to save themselves trouble, throw all their filth out of the stair window, consequently a great part of it goes on the close, and the close is not cleaned out till the dunghill is full: the filth in the close reaches nearly to the sill of the back window of a shop in front, and the malarious moisture oozes through the wall on the floor.”

The map above shows some of the places Dr Laurie was describing in his report.  Market Street came to his attention when he noted that more people from there than other parts of the town were being admitted to his care with fever and typhoid -

“This [Market Street] is a narrow back street; it is almost overhung by a steep hill rising immediately behind it; it contains the lowest description of houses built closely together, the access to the buildings being through filthy closes; the front entrance is generally the only outlet; numerous foci for the production of miasma lie concealed in this street, I think I could point out one in each close.”

Market Street, Greenock - Source @Watt Institution

Dr Laurie goes on to describe some of the houses in the poorer areas of the town -

"The great proportion of the dwellings of the poor are situated in very narrow and confined closes or alleys leading from the main streets; these closes end generally in a cul-de-sac, and have little ventilation, the space between the houses being so narrow as to exclude the action of the sun on the ground.  I might almost say there are no drains in any of these closes, for where I have noticed sewers, they are in such a filthy and obstructed state, that they create more nuisance than if they never existed.  In those cases where there is no dunghill, the excrementitious and other offensive matter is into the gutter before the door, or carried out and put in the street.”

Dr Laurie (1814-1899) was born in Dumfries.  In 1838 he married Mary Andrew Macfie (1813-1883) in Greenock.  The couple moved to Druimneil House, Appin near Oban.  Mary Andrew was the daughter of William Macfie, sugar refiner of Langhouse and was the sister of Robert Macfie who owned the Airds Estate in Port Appin.

Scott, Sinclair & Co and Lady Byron

In its early days, the Greenock firm of Scott, Sinclair & Co were best known in Greenock for producing engines and other items for ships at their foundry at Cartsburn Street.  However, in 1844 a much more unusual item was made there.  It was an iron schoolhouse.

Lady Byron - source

It was made for Lady Byron, widow of the poet Lord Byron and was described in a newspaper article - 

“It is one storey high, has a pavilion roof, is round in shape, and has four windows and a door.  It weighs about 8 or 9 tons, and being in compartments, an be easily taken down in convenient pieces to carry to any distance, and quickly put together again.” 

The building was to be used as a school for the education of 50 poor children paid for by Lady Byron.  It was set up in Fleckney in Leicestershire where it was known as the “iron school”. 

Lady Byron was born Anne Isabella Noel Milbanke in 1792.  In 1815 she married George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) the poet.  It seems to have been an unhappy marriage and the couple separated after just one year, Annabella (as she was known) having given birth to the couple’s only child, Ada Lovelace (1815-1852).  A great philanthropist, Lady Byron took a special interest in education and established several schools.  She died of breast cancer in 1860.

Greenock has another link with Lord Byron.  Author John Galt wrote a biography of Byron which was published in 1830.

Union Church, Greenock

This photograph shows the former Union Church of Scotland in Greenock.  It was situated at the east end of Union Street near George Square.  It was demolished in the 1990s and a block of flats was built in its place. 

Union Church, Union Street, Greenock

Union Church was built in 1834 by members of the United Secession Church in Nicolson Street who had disagreed with that church’s choice of minister and left to start their own congregation.  It was known as the Union Street United Secession Church at that time.  The first minister was Rev Thomas Finlayson (1809-1872) who was ordained in 1835.  He moved to Rose Street Church in Edinburgh in 1847.  One of Rev Finlayson's important undertakings was to try to reduce the debt which had accumulated through the building of the church.  It was not finally paid off until 1853.

An interesting advertisement for a precentor from 1846 appeared in the local paper.  Note that "None need apply but those whose Moral Character and Musical Education will bear the strictest scrutiny"!

That same year, the United Secession Church and Relief Church joined together to form the United Presbyterian Church.  The church became known as the Union Street UP Church.  From 1847 the  minister was the Rev John Burns Smith (1819-1899).  Rev Smith was a popular minister and remained in Greenock until his death in 1899.  He is buried in Greenock Cemetery.

Union Street UP Church 1862

In 1884 the Church celebrated its Jubilee and a portrait was presented to former Provost James Morton (1822-1890) who had been a member of the church since 1848.  (See the portrait here.)

Photo source - Greenock Burns Club

In 1895 Rev Dr John Cullen became minister.  Originally from the West UP Church in Leslie, Fife he had been preaching at St George’s Church, Northgate, Darlington.  In In 1900 the United Presbyterian Church joined with the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland.  The church’s name changed again to the Union Street UF Church.

In 1909 Rev Dr Cullen moved to back to Fife.  His position was filled by Rev John Young who remained in Greenock until 1929 when he moved to Oban.  A keen chess player, he was part of the Greenock team that won the Spens Cup in 1911 (see photo here). 

In 1929 the United Free Church joined with the Church of Scotland – another name change!  In 1992 Union Street Church joined with St Andrew’s Church further along Union Street.  This church was renamed Ardgowan ParishChurch, now known as Lyle Kirk, Union Street.

The former Union Church building was demolished and replaced with housing.

"HMS Greenock" 1849

On 30 May 1849 a large crowd gathered at John Scott’s shipbuilding yard (then at the north end of Westburn Street) to watch the launch of HMS Greenock,  the first ever steam-frigate launched on the Clyde.  Some of the ship's machinery was by Scott, Sinclair & Co of Greenock.  Some sources state that her figurehead was a bust of John Scott.

The 565-horsepower ship was 213 feet in length and 37 feet 4 inches in breadth with a depth of 23 feet.  The Greenock was armed with 10 guns.  Philip Thornton, naval architect of Portsmouth Dockyard was the overseer on the project.

Unfortunately, while the ship was lying at the Tail of the Bank, a small boat taking men out to the ship was caught in a squall when just alongside.  The small boat overturned and sixteen men were thrown into the Clyde.  The Captain, James Brown, hearing their shouts, “leaped, undressed, through a port in his cabin, into a boat the sailors were in the act of lowering, and by his energy, all hands were rescued from a watery grave, he himself having with his own hands pulled five men into the boat”.

In 1852 the ship was taken over by the Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company and renamed Melbourne.  In 1854 the ship was sold again and converted to a sailing ship.

Westburn War Plaques

Westburn Parish Church in Greenock contains many plaques listing those who gave their lives in World Wars I and II.

You can download a full list of those names and details of the plaques here.  The document also gives a short history of Westburn Parish Church, previously known as St Luke's Church.

Over the years Westburn has joined with other Greenock churches.  Their memorial plaques are also included in the document.

Greenock's fallen angel

In January 1884 a storm caused damage to Greenock’s Municipal Buildings which were in the process of being constructed just off Cathcart Square.  Scaffolding had been set up so that work could commence on the building of the Victoria Tower.  Unfortunately the storm caused the scaffolding to fall bringing with it the sculpture of an angel above the entrance to the carriageway facing Cathcart Square – Greenock’s fallen angel lay in pieces on the ground.  Fortunately, no one was injured.

 

The two smaller carvings which were said to represent “certain industries of the town” were also damaged – one lost its head and the other lost an arm.

Some of the scaffolding was blown onto the roof of Rowan’s Warehouse, in Cathcart Square, causing damage there.

Fortunately, the angel sculpture was replaced and the damaged sculptures put right.  Greenock still has its angel which hopefully will not go the way of its predecessor!

 

Dalziel of Bardrainney

It is difficult to imagine now, but the Bardrainney area of Port Glasgow was once quiet countryside with Bardrainney House and a surrounding estate of small farms.  The surrounding land belonged to James Cunningham, 14th Earl of Glencairn.  Alexander Dalziel living at Bardrainney was his factor, dealing with the efficient running of the Estate of Finlaystone.

any of the local farms were let out and as this newspaper clipping from 1789 shows, some of the names may be recognisable - Bogside, Knockmountain, High Langside, Laigh Langside, Laigh Castlehill, Bardrainnies and Parklee.

Alexander Dalziel was born in West Linton, the son of George Dalziel who was thought to have been an innkeeper at West Linton and Noble-house Inn.  He also owned farming land in the area. (He certainly seems to know how to attract clients!) 

It was reported that George Dalziel “was the first farmer that sewed turnip in open fields;  I believe he had a field of perhaps two or three acres at Linton, so early as 1763 or 1764.  I believe he might also be the first who cultivated potatoes on a large scale, by the plough”. (History of Peeblesshire, William Chambers, 1864.)  Alexander Dalziel had (at least) two sisters, Margaret, and Mary who married James Craig, a mason in Penicuik.

Earl of Glencairn

As factor to the Earl of Glencairn, Alexander Dalziel would have often had to travel to Edinburgh on the Earl's business and it is here that he is thought to have met the poet, Robert Burns.  They both admired the work of Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson (1750-1774).  Dalziel is said to have been responsible for introducing Burns' poetry to the Earl of Glencairn who became a valued patron of the poet.

Burns and Dalziel corresponded regularly and Burns was devastated to learn of the Earl's death in January 1791.  He wrote to Dalziel:-

“My Dear Sir, I have taken the liberty to frank this letter to you, as it encloses an idle poem of mine, which I send you; and, God knows, you may perhaps pay dear enough for it if you read it through.  Not that this is my own opinion but the author, by the time he has composed and corrected his work, has quite pored away all his powers of critical discrimination.
I can easily guess from my own heart, what you have felt on a late most melancholy event.  God knows what I have suffered, at the loss of my best friend, my first and dearest patron and benefactor; the man to whom I owe all that I am and have!  I am gone into mourning for him, and with more sincerity of grief than I fear some will, who by nature’s ties ought to feel on the occasion.
I will be exceedingly obliged to you indeed, to let me know the news of the noble family, how the poor mother and the two sisters support their loss.  I had a packet of poetic bagatelles ready to send to Lady Betty, when I saw the fatal tidings in the newspaper.  I see by the same channel that the honoured remains of my noble patron are designed to be brought to the family burial place.  Dare I trouble you to let me know privately before the day of interment, that I may cross the country, and steal among the crowd, to pay a tear to the last sight of my ever revered benefactor?  It will oblige me beyond expression."

(Glencairn had died on his return from Lisbon where he had gone for his health.  He died and was buried at Falmouth, and not at Kilmaurs in Ayrshire which is where Burns seemed to think he was to be buried.  "Lady Betty mentioned in the letter was Glencairn's sister, Lady Elizabeth.)

Robert Burns wrote a poem Lament for James, Earl of Glencairn which you can read here.  He also named his fourth son James Glencairn Burns (1794-1865) in his memory.

James Glencairn Burns

Alexander Dalziel died in early January 1819.  His obituary from the Edinburgh Magazine & Review reads:-

"Alexander Dalziel, Esq of West Linton, formerly of Port Glasgow.  Mr Dalziel was the intimate friend of the Scottish poets, Fergusson and Burns; of the former he was accustomed to relate many interesting anecdotes, and, of the latter, he was fortunate enough to be the early patron, by introducing him to the Earl of Glencairn, an event which Burns never recollected but with the enthusiasm of grateful feeling.  Mr Dalziel is styled by an excellent judge, the elegant biographer of our immortal bard, one of the ablest of his correspondents.  No man was more remarkable for acuteness and accuracy in business, for a sturdy independence of mind, and for keen indignation at any appearance of falsehood, dishonesty and meanness.”

Alexander Dalziel seems to have been a very interesting character and is thought to have been an early  member of Greenock Burns Club along with fellow Port Glasgow resident and friend of Burns, Richard Brown.