This sculpture is called The Hands of the
Fallen by Angela Hunter. " The fallen" is a reference to the local people who were killed or wounded during a riot in Greenock on 8 April 1820. The sculpture is on Bank Street across from the Wellpark Mid Kirk.
The sculpture commemorates a dreadful day in Greenock's history.
Economic downturn
after the Napoleonic Wars led to higher prices and unemployment. There was
general unrest among workers and attempts to achieve political reform. Artisan workers, including weavers were
particularly active, calling for strikes across central Scotland. Bands of radicals rallied and there were many
skirmishes with the armed forces who had been called out to deal with the
threat of unrest. The ringleaders were
arrested and jailed. Paisley gaol was
full so five prisoners were sent to Greenock to be imprisoned here.
A rumour about
this soon got out and a mob gathered in the streets around the Bridewell (west
side of Bank Street behind the Mid Kirk).
The five radical prisoners duly arrived in a cart escorted by the Port
Glasgow Volunteers with a fife and drum playing. The prisoners were put in jail and the
Volunteers prepared to return to Port Glasgow.
The crown turned on them. One of
the local magistrates Mr Dennistoun tried to calm things down but to no
avail. Just at the Tontine (then on Cathcart
Street), the mob began throwing stones and bottles. Several of the Volunteers
were hurt and fired a few shots in the air to warn the mob. This only proved to anger them and eventually
(at Rue End) the Volunteers had to fire in earnest, injuring and killing some
of the crowd.
The mob gathered
together their own weapons, even pulling up iron railings en route, and
followed the Volunteers on their way to Port Glasgow intending to fight. They got as far as Garvel Park when they
heard that more militia were being sent to Port Glasgow to help the local
Volunteers. At this, the crowd
dispersed. Meanwhile, some had broken
into the prison and released the radicals (but none of the other prisoners).
A detachment of
hussars and guards were sent from Glasgow by steamboat to Port Glasgow in case
of any trouble. But by the time they
arrived the next day all was quiet.
A list of the dead
and wounded appeared in the Glasgow Herald -
Adam Clephane (48)
wound under the groin (dead)
Archibald Drummond
(50) shot through the cheek (dead)
James Kerr (17)
shot through the belly (dead)
John McWhinnie
(65) shot through shoulder and chest (dead)
Hugh Paterson (14)
shot through the leg (leg amputated)
John Patrick (30)
shot through the thigh (doing well)
David McBride (14)
shot through cheek and jaw (doing well)
A McKinnon (17)
shot through chest and arm (doubtful)
Catherine Turner (65)
shot through the leg (leg amputated)
John Boyce (33)
shot through the belly (dead)
George Tillery
(25) shot through the thigh (doing well)
Robert Spence (11)
shot in foot (slightly)
William Lindsay
(15) shot dead on spot (dead)
James McGilp (8)
shot in right thigh
Gilbert McArthur
(18)shot through the left thigh (flesh wound)
John Turner (22) (flesh
wound)
Peter Cameron (14)
(flesh wound)
John Gunn (24)
shot through calf of left leg
It was thought
that there were so many leg injuries because some of the crowd had tried to
wrestle the guns from the Volunteers.
The wording on the memorial plaque reads:-
Radical War
Memorial
In Memory of those
wounded and killed on the 8th of April 1820 during a protest against
the imprisonment of those who led the campaign for better social and economic
conditions in a period of insurrection known as "The Radical
War". Eight died, the youngest of
whom was 8 years old, and the oldest 65.
Interesting history, one I doubt many know about outside of the area you live
ReplyDeleteJust seen this very interesting piece of history
ReplyDeleteI love finding out local history, thanks for the enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteHad no idea, about this piece of history, thanks for enlightenment.
ReplyDelete