The expence of erecting the present sheds, and keeping them in repair, has cost the trustees of the harbour 98681. and those yet to be erected will not cost less than 3132/., making together 13000/.
The revenue received from them for the year ending September 1812, was 12011.
Do. 1813, 1472 Do. 1814, 2052 Do. 1815, 2053 And the yearly rent on an average for five years ending in April last, is 1609/.
. The anchorage or ring money for the year ending September 1813, was 1751. 13 Do. 1814, 181 17 Do. 1815, 218 12 making the yearly rent on an average fer three years 192/.
Ship-building is not so much followed as might have been expected at such a port as that of Greenock. On an average, there are about 10 or 12 vessels built annually. As to quality and construction, these vessels are equal to any in the united kingdom. There is a graving dock, which was erected .by share holders in 1783. The build ing- yard of Messrs John Scott & Co. containing a graving dock, a basin, boat and mast sheds, blacksmith's shop, &c.
is, in point of size and convenience, superior to any pri vate establishment of this kind in the kingdom. Mr Steele also has excellent premises for building and repair ing ships.
There are four large rope works, and several smaller ones. They employ from 200 to 300 hands, and manufac ture annually about 1000 tons of cordage, which is sold for the use of the shipping of the port, and for exportation to the colonies. There is one rope-work for making patent cudage. Sailcloth is also manufactured here to a con sirerahle extent. There are two manufactories for this article. Greenock contains two soap and candle manu factories, which are carried on to a large extent, princi pally for supplying our North American and West India colonies with these articles. One of them is an old esta blishment, having existed since the year 1772. There are also two extensive breweries, both of which export large quantities, solid and in bottles. 1Vhile the French West India islands were in our possession, the supply of this article was very great, particularly light coloured table beer. There are two iron and brass founderies ; one large
hat manufactory, and several smaller ones ; a green glass and a flint glass work ; three tan works; a pottery ; and a lamp-black manufactory. All these depend greatly on the export trade, and the demand for the shipping.
An account of the number of ships and vessels, with their tonnage, and number of men and boys usually em ployed, registered, and belonging to the port of Green ock for the years ending 30th Sept. 1814 and 1815 : Ships. Tons. Men.
Year ending 30th Sept. 1814, 360 34,159 3325 Do. 30th Sept. 1815, 336 35,210 3220 At present there are 379 ships, brigs, sloops, Etc. re gistered at the custom-house, admeasuring 47,268 tons, and navigated by 3457 men.
An account of the number and tonnage of ships and vessels, which were of, and belonging to, the port of Greenock, with their number of men, that have traded to and from foreign parts, or coastwise, or been employed in fishing, in the years ending 5th January 1815 and 1816, accounting each vessel but once in the year.
An account of the total number of ships, with their tonnage and men, including their repeated voyages, that have entered inwards and cleared outwards at this port, from and to foreign parts in the years ending 5th January 1815 and 1816, distinguishing British ships from foreign, but omitting such ships as have entered of cleared before at any other port in England or Scotland.
An account of all vessels entered inwards and cleared outwards coastwise at this port, in the years ending 5th January 1815 and 1816.
The herring fishery has been long an object of im• portance to the town of Greenock. So far back as the year 1688, it was carried on to a considerable extent. Since that period, it has experienced frequent vicissi tudes. '['he following statement will spew its present situation: In the year ending the 5th of April 1815, there cleared out for the herring fishery 177 vessels, 6896 tons, manned with 958 men. Carried out 688,171 square yards of netting, 68,2051 bushels of British salt, and 36,8611 bar rels.