17. John Robertson
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John Robertson (1782-1868) is recognised as the Clyde’s earliest marine engineer and was responsible for the engines of Bell’s ‘Comet’. He was born on the 10th December 1782 in Neilston, Renfrewshire, the son of James Robertson, mill worker, a native of Stanely in Perthshire.
John Robertson’s career started at the age of fourteen when he became an apprentice to Mr Cuthbertson, a spinning wheelwright in Neilston. After his apprenticeship Robertson was employed as a turner at the Stanely Cotton Works in Perthshire where he worked for two years before moving to Glasgow. For the following eight years he worked in the machine shop of William Dunn at High John Street. Dunn of Duntocher was one of Glasgow’s most famous entrepreneur capitalists and his magnificent Irish granite monument is a feature of the Glasgow Necropolis Heritage Trail. |
With the death of his father in 1810, Robertson inherited a small engineering shop in Dempster Street, Glasgow. Robertson first met Henry Bell in 1808 when he was installing a small steam engine to pump sea water for the baths at Bell’s Baths Hotel in Helensburgh. In 1811, at the age of 29, Robertson was a respected engineer and it is no surprise that after their initial meeting Bell chose his engine to power the near complete ‘Comet’. Robertson’s double acting engine of 3 horse power was built to a modified beam engine design. Steam was supplied by a brick mounted boiler built and fitted by Napier on the starboard side. Two radial paddles were fitted on either side. It was installed on the vessel and started at her builders, John Wood and Co., Port Glasgow. Despite initial teething problems the ‘Comet’ reached a speed of 5 knots on her trials.
Robertson's own description of ‘The Comet’ was the modest observation that it was ‘prettily painted in different colours, having the figurehead of a lady with red cheeks and coloured dress’.
Despite major improvements the ‘Comet’ was unsuited for coastal work and on the 13th December 1820 the tide swept her onto Craignish Point where she was wrecked. The Engine was salvaged and is now on display at The Science Museum at South Kensington, London. The experience of the ‘Comet’ convinced Robertson that there was a future for steam in marine propulsion and in 1813, with a new partner he had the ‘Clyde’ built for him by Mr Wood for service between Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock. In 1814, the ‘Tay’ was built for him by Mr Stuart of Dundee on which Robertson himself built and installed the engine on board. She ran for fours years between Dundee and Perth and was later re-named the ‘Oscar’ for service between Glasgow and Lochgoilhead. Mr Stuart also built the ‘Caledonia’ and the ‘Humber’ for service between Hull and Selby and Hull and Gainsborough respectively. Mr Wood built two more ships for him, the ‘Defiance’ in 1817 and the ‘Marquis of Bute’ in 1818.
Being a kindly and generous man John Robertson was prey to lenders and borrowers. His assets were tied up in steam boats and they were gradually disposed of at a considerable loss and by August 1826 he found himself in over £2,000 of debt. He was declared bankrupt and became dependant on the generosity of a few good friends. John Robertson died at Carrick Street, Glasgow on 19th November 1868.
18. Captain James Smart
James Smart of the Glasgow Police (1804-1870). Born in Cathcart, Smart spent his early years in the City of Glasgow. As a young man he was employed for a short time in the tea trade in England but soon returned to Glasgow. In October 1831 he joined the joined the Barony of Gorbals police as a day constable and ultimately served there as Sergeant. Captain Smart had originally resided in Wallace Street, Tradeston. In 1835 he was promoted to Superintendent of Calton Burgh police and by 1846 Smart became Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern Division, having gained this promotion at a time when the working people of Glasgow were suffering severe economic difficulties.
A political demonstration in March 1848 saw crowds making their way to Bridgeton to bring out the mill workers in support of an appeal for food for the unemployed. However police preparations had been made and the crowds were met at John Street (now Tullis Street) by James Smart with a number of police and 17 special constables who were armed with muskets. The demonstrators were hemmed in as the order of "Charge" was given by Smart. This either meant "attacking" the crowd or the "loading" of muskets.
The special constables, several of whom were army pensioners, did not charge their weapons, but instead fired indiscriminately into the crowd. Four men were killed instantly and two more died later. The military continued to patrol the City yet angry crowds still lined the streets for some days. All public offices were securely guarded. This dreadful incident is remembered as the Bread Riots of 1848.
James Smart’s reward for the handling of the crisis was promotion to the rank of Chief Superintendent in December 1848. In the Police Act of 1862, he was designated as Chief Constable of Police in Glasgow and his appointment led to many practical innovations. He was responsible for the introduction of the Mounted Branch and oversaw the abolition of the police rattle in favour of a whistle and the issue of batons in place of sticks. Another noteworthy innovation was the installation of the magnetic telegraph between police stations and fire stations. James Smart died on 27 May, 1870.
19. Lieutenant Robert Alexander Bogue MC
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Lieutenant Bogue, (1888-1917) holder of the Military Cross, was an officer in A Company of the 16th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry - affectionately known as the ‘Boys’ Brigade’ Battalion. He was the son of John and Isabella McLaren Bogue, of 7 Radnor St. Glasgow and was the husband of Mary Risk Henderson Bogue, of 296 Bath St., Glasgow. Lieutenant Bogue MC is fondly remembered on this family headstone, although actually buried in Hillfoot, New Kilpatrick cemetery.
Half a million Scots fought in the First World War; sadly more than 125,000 were killed in action – one sixth of the British casualty list. Thiepval, mentioned on the headstone, is the region in France where The Battle of the River Somme took place. |
At 7.30am on the morning of 1st July 1916, a fierce artillery attack on the Germans attempted to cut their barbed wire defences and destroy their long line of deeply dug trenches as a prelude to a British attack. Tragically, the bombardment had little impact; even the explosion of huge mines under the German front line did little to stop their machine-gunners slaughtering the waves of advancing British infantry.
The 15th, 16th and 17th Battalions of the HLI were known as the 'Glasgow pals' battalions, as the recruits shared work or social associations. Men of the 15th Battalion were with the Glasgow Tramways, the 16th were ex-members of the Boys Brigade, and the 17th with the City of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Within ten minutes of the attack at Thiepval, some 550 men of the 17th HLI ‘Chamber of Commerce’ Battalion lay dead - almost half of its complement. A further 500 members of the 16th HLI ‘Boys’ Brigade’ Battalion were also killed at the Somme. A monument to the 51st Highland Division looks to Beamont Hamel where many of the 16th died. Its Gaelic inscription translates poignantly as ‘Friends are good on the day of battle.’
Lieutenant Robert Alexander Bogue MC was so severely wounded during the dawn attack at Thiepval that he died fifteen months later on the 26th Sept. 1917. The 16th Battalion of the HLI received one DSO, two MCs, eleven DCMs and twenty-two MMs at the Somme - the highest number of awards to any one battalion.
20. James Salmon
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James Salmon, Architect (1805-1888). As an architect, Salmon was most famous for his work in the Italian Renaissance style, and his buildings include the Woodilee Asylum, the Magdalen Institution and the restoration of Paisley Abbey. He was also respected for his involvement in civic affairs. Salmon was elected to the Town Council in 1860. He was the first convenor of the Glasgow Libraries Committee.
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Glasgow was proud of its vitality and success and expected buildings of dignity and beauty. It was no wonder that the period produced great architects, one of which was James Salmon. Serving his apprenticeship with architect John Brash who, between 1823-29, designed the houses of Blythswood Square. Salmon’s early genius was evident in this prestigious project.
From 1841-3 Salmon and J Burnet were responsible for the beautiful high, domed design of the former Union Bank of Scotland, now known as the Corinthian Restaurant & Club at 191 Ingram St. The interior includes allegorical statues from mid to late Victorian period by Mossman. One of the great architectural opportunities of 19th century Glasgow came in the opening up of whole new areas for development and the freedom to design them. James Salmon's opportunity came with the planning of the new suburb of Dennistoun, a development commissioned by the wealthy entrepreneur Alexander Dennistoun (1790-1874). Between 1854 and 1861 Salmon designed, planned and supervised the development of the entire area, allegedly based on Paris, consisting of ornamental villas and self-contained houses mixed with terraces and open spaces. Although Salmon’s original concept was much reduced the streets, terraces, drives and open spaces of this fine suburb remain as a testament to his undoubted genius.
As already indicated Salmon also designed the Barony Asylum at Woodilee. When it was opened in 1875 it was the largest parochial asylum in Scotland. Woodilee was the biggest employer in the area and contained its own farms, fire brigade, sports and recreational facilities. At its height this vast institution accommodated over 1300 patients. Salmon was also the architect of Auchingramont Church in Hamilton, noted for its magnificent tall steeple. It was used for public worship from 1860 till 1980 when it was converted into flats.
His son James Salmon 2nd (1873-1924) known as the ‘Wee Troot’ was also a fine architect - best known for the Hatrack at 142 St. Vincent Street ( often described as ‘the narrowest building in Glasgow). James Salmon senior wrote poetry and was Captain of the Glasgow Golf Club. James Salmon was the first president of the Glasgow Institute of Architects, his vice president being Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. He died in May 1888, in his home at 3 Broompark Circus, Dennistoun.
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