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!