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