The _Brunswick_, of 600 tons, carpenters' measurement, to carry 1000 tons real burden, built by the Scotts in 1791 for the Nova Scotia trade; and the _Caledonia_, of 650 tons, built by the Scotts in 1794, for the carriage of timber for the Navy yards--each the largest ship in Scotland of its respective year--signalised the beginning of a period of greater activity, especially in respect of large ocean ships. Some years before--1767--the Scotts had feued ground for a building yard on the shore east of the West Burn. They added a graving dock of considerable size, and the inaugural proceedings included a dinner held on the floor of the dock.
[Illustration: Plate V. _From an Old Engraving._ GREENOCK AND SCOTTS' YARD IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.]
Other developments contributed to the prosperity of the port of Greenock, the chief of the establishment being John Scott of the third generation, who was born in 1752, and died in 1837. His brother, William Scott, also the second of that name, migrated to Bristol, where he carried on an extensive trade as a shipbuilder. The latter was the father of James M. Scott, who is still remembered by some old inhabitants as the founder, about 1847, of penny banks in Greenock and of the Artisans' Club. John Scott, after his brother's departure, carried on the business under the name of John Scott and Sons, and did great service not only for the town, but also for the advancement of the business. In three successive years, 1787, 1788, and 1789, he bought three large plots from the ninth Lord Cathcart, for the extension of the works.[9] These then extended almost from the West Quay to the West Burn. He also, in 1791, constructed the old steamboat or custom-house quay,[10] and played a large part in developing the banking facilities of the town. He bought, in 1815, Halkshill, near Largs, which has continued the residence of the family. In view of the association of the firm with the town, it may be worth interpolating here a statement of the growth of the population of Greenock, with the sources from which the figures have been taken.
Year. Population. Source. 1700 1,328 Campbell's History, page 23. 1801 17,458 Weir's History, page 120. 1901 68,142 Census Returns, vol. i., page 212.