Towns > Dundee > 1809-1912 - Dundee directory > 1910-1911

REVIEW OF A CENTURY. 19
written history of the towu. Dundee seems to have forged ahead at
this time. Flaxspiuniiig was active, and mills were erected in
suitable localities, the Wards in particular. The value of flax and
hemp imported was £700,000, and linen exported was calculated at
£1.500,000. A first-rate mercantile fleet either belonged to or
frequented the port. Shipbuilding, and all branches dependent upon
it, had become a great industry. Six j^ards, in which hundreds of
craftsmen were employed, were in active operation. Prominence,
too, is given to the increase in the number of steam vessels, the
Dundee and London Company in especial being in the forefront.
Gratifying reference is made to the erection of the High School
and the opening of the Dundee and Newtyle Railway. As an
addenda, Broughty Ferry is continued ; and there were superadded
lists of Strathmartine, Liff, Lochee, and Ferry-Port-on-Craig. At
this time it was estimated that in Dundee and neighbourhood
£2,500,000 was embarked in the linen trade. The population Avas
now close upon 50,000.
The Directories of 1837-8, 1840-1, and 1842-3 M'ere placed in the
capable hands of Mr Chalmers, the vetei-an publisher. There
is no attempt at elaboration in either edition, and the record of
the principal inhabitants is compendious. In the former Broughty
Ferry still holds a place, but the districts are omitted. Trade
matters seem to have been stable, although occasionally they were
characterised by fluctuation. Otherwise there is nothing specially
noteworthy in either Directory. Shipping advances apace, and
shipbuilding is on the increase. Steam as a maritime motive
power heralded a new era, and, directed towards the further-
ance of commerce, indicated that it would soon supersede nautical
skill. The practical, stern lines upon which a Directory is compiled
affords small opportunity v/hereby the inner life of a communitj'' can
be gauged. That is the case in the present instance. Every item is
severely classified, and beyond matters of fact they shed little or no
light. Business concerns, philanthropic institutions, and cognate
affairs, with each successive publication, showed advancement, and
made it plain that the inhabitants were benefited in proportion.
An illustration of more than ordinary interest, descriptive of the old
Nethergate Market Stance in front of the Churches before the fire,
is a welcome accompaniment to the Direetoiy of 1842-3. The
aggregate population had now reached about 64,000.
The Directories for 1845 and 1846-7 were conducted under the
auspices of the local postal staff, and bore the title, " The Dundee
Post Office Dii'ectory. " The Directory of 1845 was printed in the
office of the Dundee Advertiser, and that of 1846-7 by Messrs
M'Cosh, Park, & Dewars (Northern Warder). Neither Directory
possesses any outstanding feature. Hard and fast arrangement is
again the rule, principally of business residenters ; and Lochee, a
growing suburb, and vicinity are included. There is a distinct step
in advance to be noted. Registration under business and professional
headings is introduced for tlie first time. From its connection
v/ith the Post Office much of the contents is devoted to postal
administration.