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!

Port Glasgow Dry Dock Mural

This fantastic mural can be seen on the side wall of Port Glasgow swimming pool on Bay Street.  It was put there just last week.  The artist is Jim Strachan (of RIG Arts) and he has depicted Port Glasgow's lost industrial past and gives a vivid glimpse into just how busy and important the town was in former times.  The mural shows many aspects of Port Glasgow's heritage.

The mural's situation is almost right where Port Glasgow's dry dock (graving dock) once stood.  Built in 1762 it was the first to be constructed in Scotland.  (It is now covered by the Health Centre car park.)

Lamont's shipbuilding yard is also depicted with the workers finishing their shift and streaming out of the yard to go home for their tea.

Many boats and steamers belching smoke can be seen in the harbour.  On the quayside are the horse drawn carts which serviced the docks, carrying cargo, coal and provisions for the boats.

I think my favourite part of the mural is on the far left.  Here you can see the 6ft high weather vane depicting a sailing ship being hoisted to the top of the town buildings.

This is such a wonderful mural - so full of life and energy.  I'm sure it will prove very popular in Port Glasgow.

The mural's artist, Jim Strachan was also involved in other local projects - Broomhill Mural in Greenock and the Quayside Mural and Railway Station Mural in Port Glasgow.

Joining with Monday Murals - check out murals from all around the world.

Port Glasgow murals

These colourful murals can be found on the wall of Fergus Monk's garage at the West Quay in Port Glasgow. 

They are the work of local artist Jim Strachan who also painted the Broomhill Mural in Greenock.

One of the murals shows fishing boats and the catch being processed on the quay.  The other shows people having fun.

Both murals face the River Clyde and are an unexpected burst of colour on the quayside.

Visit Monday Murals for a glimpse of other murals from around the world.

Colourful Broomhill Mural

This amazing mural by local artist Jim Strachan is in Ann Street in the Broomhill area of Greenock.

It is a fabulous, colourful tribute to the area's past and industrial heritage.

The plaques tell the story of what can be seen in the mural.  The Heid O' the Hill website gives much more information about the local history of the area as well as old photographs and more information about the mural.

It certainly brightens up that particular corner of Greenock.

Joining with Monday Mural at Sami's Colourful World.

Westburn Underpass Mural

This great mural brightens up the Westburn underpass in Greenock.

The underpass is between Westburn Street and the Oak Mall in Greenock.

Made of painted tiles, the mural shows some of the buildings that existed before the Oak Mall was built.

6274 Public Art were responsible for the mural, replacing a previous one which had been damaged.

Joining with Monday Murals.

Port Glasgow station murals

I'm joining Monday Murals to show these fantastic murals of Port Glasgow's history which are brightening up Port Glasgow railway station.

There are fourteen panels, each celebrating an aspect of the history and people of the town.

Information boards give more details of what the murals represent.

They are bright, colourful and really cheer up Port Glasgow's station.

A information board states that -

     "Local children from St John's Primary School, members of the Port Glasgow Community       Council and members from the Old Men's Club worked with artists Karen Patton Orr and Jim Strachan from RIG Arts, an Inverclyde based, socially engaged arts, film and media charity, to research and develop its content, to capture the spirit of the town, past and present."

They've certainly done a fantastic job in capturing some of the highlights of Port Glasgow's history.

Former Greenock Central Library

Update - this building was demolished in May 2026.  Inverclyde Council report that mural was saved!

This wonderful mural is part of the former Greenock Central Library in Clyde Square, just across from the Municipal Buildings.

The fibreglass frieze is situated above what was the the main entrance and was designed by the artist and sculptor Charles Anderson.

The building itself was designed by the then burgh architect and town planner, James Watson.  This beautiful green slate covers the remainder of the facade.

The Library was opened in July 1970 by the author Eric Linklater.

Greenock's central library is now situated in a different building.  The local council have retained this building - not sure what its use will be.

Joining up with others over at Monday Mural.