Captain James George of the ship "Robust"

This is the final resting place of Port Glasgow mariner, Captain James George.  The family grave marker can be found in the kirkyard of Port Glasgow New Parish Church.  James George married Margaret Barr, daughter of John Barr, merchant in Port Glasgow in 1801.  They had two sons, James (born 1802) and John (born 1804) both born in Port Glasgow.  In 1805 the family were living in Ritchie's Land, Princes Street.

James George was captain of the ship Robust.  In 1799 the ship sailed to Grenada in the West Indies. 

In September 1801 there was an advertisement in the Caledonian Mercury which read:-

For Demerary
The Ship Herberts Wm Hamilton Master
Is expected in Clyde in a few weeks,
and will be ready to sail for Demerary a
running ship, by the 20^th October.
For Carriacow & Grenada,
The Ship Margaret, Richard Brown Master.
For Grenada, (to deliver goods at Levira and
Grenville Bay)
The ship Robust, James George Master,
For St Vincent,
The Ship Eglintoun, William Douglas Master,
These last three ships will be ready to sail by the 20^th October, to join convoy at Cork.  For freight or passage apply to the respective Captains at Port Glasgow, or to
JOHN CAMPBELL, sen & CO, Glasgow, September 1 1801
N.B. Wanted to go to the West Indies, under Indentures for three years, Three House Carpenters, and two masons.  To those who can be well recommended good encouragement will be given.

John Campbell Senior & Co was a huge company trading with the West Indies and the owners of the ships mentioned in the advertisement.  Based in Glasgow, the company was founded by John Campbell senior (c.1735 - 1807) who had previously been connected with John Glassford & Co, tobacco merchants, after the American War of Independence they changed their priority to the importation of sugar.  John's brother, Thomas was a merchant in Grenada and ran that side of the business along with other family members.  

This advert is in connection with their West Indies trade.  Manufactured and luxury goods for the planters as well as cheap clothing and salt fish for the workers would be shipped from Port Glasgow.  The ships would load with rum, sugar, cotton, indigo and coffee for the return journey to the Clyde.  The Captains could be assigned to various ships in the fleet.

The ship Herberts, Captain William Hamilton is described as a 'running ship'.  This is an armed ship which could sail without a convoy but in this case accompanied a convoy of merchant ships as protection from privateers.

The ship Margaret, Captain Richard Brown (probably the son of Robert Burns' friend) was heading for Grenada and Carriacow (Carriacou), north-east of Grenada where cotton was grown and there were many Scottish settlers.  Captain George's ship, Robust was also going to Grenada, to deliver goods at Levera and Grenville Bay. The Eglingtoun, Captain William Douglas was heading for St Vincent.

An interesting footnote to the advertisement is the notice that three house carpenters and two masons are required in the West Indies under indenture for three years, with good references, of course.  Indentured servants undertook a written contract to work for a certain amount of time, the employer would pay their passage and they would be provided with food, clothing and shelter.  This could be seen by many young Scots as a way to a new life abroad, or for some a way to escape their responsibilities at home.  Of course, the journey itself was often hazardous and once they had arrived, the heat and exposure to different diseases could prove fatal.

It is remarkable that Captain James George survived many journeys from the Clyde to the Caribbean.  He was just one of Port Glasgow's many intrepid mariners.