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 Galt - Steamboat tales

John Galt’s work “The Steam Boat” or as it was advertised – “The Steam Boat; or the Voyages and Travels of Thomas Duffle, cloth-merchant in the Salt Market of Glasgow” was published in 1821.  It is a wonderful collection of short stories told by Galt's character, Thomas Duffle as he heard on his various travels by steamboat from Glasgow.  His fellow travellers provide him with fabulous stories of their own lives as they go down the River Clyde from Glasgow to various places on the steamboat’s route.

Port Glasgow former Town Buildings

Thomas Duffle himself narrates his own views on the various landmarks they pass and of special interest are his observations on Greenock and Port Glasgow and the perceived (or perhaps real) views of the differences between Portonians and Greenockians and what each thinks of the other.  Of course, Port Glasgow was where Britain's first commercial steamship "Comet" was built in 1812 at John Wood's Yard in the town which makes the stories even more interesting.

Dry Dock mural, Port Glasgow

At a stopover in Port Glasgow, Duffle narrates “I was thankful when the vessel reached the quay of Port Glasgow, where I went on shore to take my breakfast at an inn, being resolved to leave her there and travel by myself on to Greenock, which is situated about three miles to the westward.  This determination, as it proved, was most judicious on my part; for I found a comfortable house, and great civility in the attendance, facing the shipping in the harbour, with excellent warm rolls, piping hot from the baker’s, and fresh herring that would have been a treat at any time”. 

Comet passing Dumbarton Rock

Duffle then goes on a walk around the town – “The waiter, to be sure, as his wont doubtless is with all strangers, directed my attention to the steeple, telling me that it was higher than the Greenock one”.  The visitor then satisfies himself that the steeple is not, as was a derogatory comment doing the rounds at the time, crooked, but perfectly straight.  He continues – “I visited the dry-dock, a very useful place for maritime purposes of various sorts, especially for repairing vessels’ bottoms; and then I went to investigate that famous antiquity, the old castle”.

Newark Castle, Port Glasgow

He also has views on the local people - “I saw several of the inhabitants at their shop-doors, and some elderly characters standing forenent the inns, waiting for the London papers.  Upon the whole they appeared to be a hamely race …”.  So ends Duffel’s short stay in Port Glasgow as he then travels on by coach to Greenock. 

It is still possible to recognise several of the places named by Galt.  The steeple referred to is that of the former town buildings and now Port Glasgow's library.  In 1821 the only other comparable steeple in Greenock was that of the Mid Kirk in Cathcart Square.  Unfortunately the dry-dock is no more, but it used to be situated just at the back of the town buildings and it is possible to see what it would have looked like by examining the wonderful mural on the wall just to the east of the Health Centre car park.  “The old castle” – Newark Castle is fortunately still in existence.

 In January 1884 the Greenock Herald published extracts from the book.

Read more about John Galt and his Greenock connections - The Greenock Galts.  His friend and fellow Canadian explorer was William "Tiger" Dunlop - a fascinating man.  The Story of Bryce Gilliland is a fabulous sea-faring tale,

You can read more about the stories told to Thomas Duffel on the Steamboat on this blog – just click on links.

Buried Alive and a real life tale of experimental galvanism - Dead or Alive!  

The Coronation - a story about the Coronation of George IV - what a strange event!

The death of the Comet 2023

Like a giant shroud, a white curtain surrounds the decaying remains of Port Glasgow's once proud replica steamship Comet.  The wreckage is being removed this week (April 2023).

The ship had been rotting away over the last few years (see previous post "Wreck of the Comet") and as nothing was done to try and remedy that, it became an eyesore and had to be removed.

You can read here more about the original Comet built in Port Glasgow in 1812 by shipbuilder John Wood and the replica which is now being removed, built in Port Glasgow in 1962 to mark the 150th anniversary of the building of the original.

Here's a reminder of how the smart the Comet replica once looked.

The wreck of the Comet 2021

Comet in Port Glasgow has been reduced to a total wreck. 

This little ship, built in 1962 by shipbuilding apprentices in Port Glasgow, is an exact replica of Henry Bell's steamship Comet of 1812 which was built right here (almost on its present site) in Port Glasgow by John Wood, Shipbuilder.  Until recently it has been a proud reminded of the innovation, skill and workmanship of Port Glasgow's shipbuilders.  It has now been left to rot and decay.

Most shipwrecks take place at sea and are due to circumstances beyond the control of those in charge of the ship - whether it be by collision, weather conditions, navigation error or some sort of system failure.  This wreck occurred in plain sight - poor Comet has been allowed to fall into ruin over just a few years without any intervention by local authorities.  In fact it has only been about nine years since it was refurbished in time for the Comet bicentennial celebrations in 2012.  What a difference a few short years have made.

It has been said that the wreck of the Comet is going to be removed from this site entirely.  At least that will save face for some in authority - out of sight, out of mind.  Perhaps over the years people will forget what a fabulous and real reminder this Comet was of the importance of shipbuilding in this area.

I hope that there may be some last minute reprieve for this poor ship.  Surely it could be donated to some museum or other institution where it could perhaps be brought back to life and enjoyed by generation to come.  I know these things cost a lot of money and there are other priorities locally.  We here in Inverclyde have already lost so much of our shipbuilding heritage.  This one little ship could be a lasting reminder of the amazing contribution this part of Scotland made to shipbuilding both in Great Britain and worldwide.