Memorials of the lineage, early life, education and development of the genius of James Watt

78 MEMORIALS OF
No materials exist, that we are aware of, from which to state the
extent and description of the original harbour, constructed by the
Laird of Greenock in 1670, by the daring stroke of policy already ad-
verted to, failure in which would have cost him the forfeiture of his
estates to the crown. Nor have we found any materials from which
to describe the works, if there were any undertaken between the last
mentioned date and 1703, when the new Harbour was resolved on.
Of the progress of the works connected with this, for the time great
undertaking, no record exists. It is known, however, that they
embraced an area of 8 acres, 3 roods, and 10 falls, comprehended
within two projecting piers, called the East and West Quay — a pro-
jecting tongue in the centre, called the Mid Quay, dividing the harbour
into two corresponding divisions. The form of these works is shown
on a small, but sufficiently distinct scale, on John Watt's Map of the
Clyde, constructed in 1734 ; although, at that date, the breastworks
connecting the quays had not been completed. In the interesting
view of the town, however, taken in 1 768, which we have the pleasure
of preserving in our pages, the new harbour is seen in its finished
state.
Such was Greenock as a Seaport some years subsequent to the
period when James Watt's father first entered upon office in the little
community. The sketch serves to bring the reader au courant of our
subsequent memorials.
The new Harbour was a formidable work for those days — the
greatest undertaking of its kind at that time in Scotland ; yet accom-
plished with indomitable perseverance, at a cost of more than 100,000
merks Scots. Diminutive as it is now to be considered, in comparison
vance of seven hundred and fifty-two pounds twelve vance of two thousand four hundred and thirty-
shillings Scots. In 1710, 20th April, he made nine pounds twelve shillings and three pennies
another advance of two thousand merks Scots ; and Scots, all for the purpose of constructing the said
on 25th of September 1714, he made a farther ad- New Harbour.