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

216 MEMORIALS OP
But to return to times of peace and civilisation. It will serve even
as a strong contrast to the present condition of our mercantile marine,
to show the number of vessels built and registered at Greenock some
seventy-five or eighty years ago. In the year ending 27th February
1776, the number so built and registered was 18, of the aggregate
burthen of 1073 tons. The largest of these vessels was 77 tons.
The total number of vessels, including first registrations and transfer-
ences, was 133, of the aggregate burthen of 9770 tons. Of these,
100 were under 100 tons burthen ; the remaining 33 were from 100
to 200 tons register, with the exception of two, the Fanny and the
Royal Exchange, which were of 220 tons each ; and the Thames and
Isabella, which were 250 tons each. The vessels of larger tonnage
were chiefly built in the colonies, and were owned in Glasgow, though
frequenting the Harbour of Greenock. The 18, first mentioned, were
built by the following ship-carpenters : — 6 by Mr. Scott ; 3 by Mr.
Turner ; 3 by Mr. Crawford ; 1 by Mr. Telfer ; 4 by Mr. M'Arthur ;
and 1 by Mr. Smith.
From this time the growing requirements of the " foreign trade" at
Greenock were found to demand vessels of a greatly increased tonnage,
and a most advantageous impulse was given to shipbuilding on the
spot, — the greater cheapness of the vessels furnished by our North
commander of the Friggate, the Oeovge of Glas- Robert M'Allan is commander, is sixty tuns or
gow, and set to sea in pursuit of his Majesty's therehy of burden, and carries on board five piece
Enemies, conform to a Commission of Letter of of Ordnance, thirty-two muskets or Firelocks,
Mark, dated the 28th day of June, 1 665, granted twelve Half Picks, eighteen Pol axes, thirty
to the said Captain Robert M'Allan, by the High Swords, three Barrels of Powder, and with Vic-
and Mighty Prince Charles, Duke of Lennox and tuals, and other necessary Provision for six months'
Richmond, Heritable Lord High Admiral of the stay at Sea; and that all the Officers, Mariners, and
Kingdom of Scotland, as having warrant and Sailors thereof amounting to three-score persons."
commission from our dread Sovereign Lord the The George with her " ammunition and out-
King's Majesty, for granting thereof by his com- rigging, and other pertinents," belonged to Wm.
mission, under his Majesty's Great Seal of the Anderson, the Provost of Glasgow, and other
said kingdom, dated the 12th day of June, then Burgesses of that City. — She brought in several
lastly past, and thereby declare that the foresaid prizes to Port-Glasgow ; but the peace being con-
good Ship or Friggate, whereof the said Captain eluded, " the caping trade ceased."