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

JAMES WATT. 1 73
extraordinary and successful achievements in engineering, to which
the records of that now so essential branch of practical science can
point.
The only other works of Mr. Watt of this kind which it is proposed
to mention here, are two which have reference, and consequently are
interesting, to the community of Greenock. These were, the extension
of the harbour accommodation, and the conveyance of water into the
town for the supply of the inhabitants. Both of these undertakings,
although of comparatively minor importance, received a cordial and
minute attention from Mr. Watt in all their details. They were the
last acts of his civil-engineering ; and, from their having occupied him
at a moment when he was much pressed by business, — being then
engaged in his great work, the survey of the country between Inver-
ness and Fort- William, for what is now the Caledonian Canal, as well
as already making arrangements for his removal to the new scene of
his labours in England, — ought not to be without their just apprecia-
tion among his townsmen.
On 24th November 1772, it was reported at a meeting of the
Town-Council of Greenock, that a letter had been received by the
magistrates from Lord Cathcart, in which his lordship desired that a
plan might be made of the ground required to be feued for a new
quay; 1 and the same, with proposals, given in to his Lordship..
The magistrates informed the meeting, that they had got a land-
surveyor from Glasgow to measure the ground, and that the
plan would be made out that afternoon. 2 The surveyor from
Glasgow is indicated by the following letter addressed by " James
Watt, junior," to Bailie Gammell, his old schoolfellow, which we
give entire : —
1 The east branch of the Custom-house Quay. Donald, James Gammell, James Scott, Andrew
Donald, James Wilson, Archibald Crawford, John
2 The minute of the meeting is signed by James Campbell, and James Watt.