Scotts of Greenock, 1711-1945
This initial chapter outlines the founding of the Scotts Shipyard of Greenock in 1711, and follows the history of the company through to the end of the Second World War. It documents the company’s major accomplishments, business developments, finances, ownerships, and technical developments throughout the period before the postwar expansion. Events considered include the 1794 construction of the timber vessel, Caledonia, the largest Scottish vessel of the period; an association with the Admiralty; links with Liverpool shipyards; trade links with China and Hong Kong; the quick transition to steam technology; naval contracts; the twentieth century increase in naval demand; and secretive membership in the ‘Warship Group’ of private shipbuilders - a ring that aimed to protect prices from competition. The chapter concludes in 1945, noting that though the forward-thinking Scotts took advantage of wartime inflation and a boom in ship prices for financial stability, no one could predict the size of the postwar maritime expansion that would follow.