Inverclyde Ships
In the nineteenth and early twentieth century Inverclyde was one of the world's leading shipbuilding communities. All sorts of vessels from yachts to great sailing ships, from puffers to liners were built by Inverclyde yards, This page provides a selection of images and models from our collection. A full listing of all the vessels built locally would contain almost 10,000 entries.
The text and images on this page are the copyright of the McLean Museum. For enquiries about this collection please contact us at wattinstitution@inverclyde.gov.uk.
Henry Bell (1767-1830) - The creator of the Comet
Henry Bell (1767-1830) painted by John Fleming (1792-1845) - Oil on canvas - 78 x 65.2 cm - 1826 - 1978.369 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Builder's model of SV Deveron
Late nineteenth century builder's half ship model of the sv Deveron built by Robert Steele & Co., Greenock as yard no. 93 in 1875 for J. Russell. - 2006.101 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Builder's model of Clan Sutherland
Builder's model of the Clan Sutherland, a cargo vessel, built by the Greenock Dockyard Co. The ship was built as yard No 475 and engined by J.G. Kincaid & Co. Ltd. It was launched on Thursday, 28 December 1950 for Clan Line Steamers Ltd. - 1987.162 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Builder's half hull model of SV Taeping
Builder's model of the sv Taeping, a composite construction tea clipper, by built Robert Steel & Co., Greenock in 1863. - L1987.174 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Robert Steele (1791-1879)
Portrait of Robert Steele (1792-1879) by Norman Macbeth (1821-1888) - Oil on canvas - 126.5 x 101.5 cm - 1877 - L1977.959 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. This portrait shows the Greenock shipbuilder Robert Steele at the zenith of his fame, world renowned as a builder of clipper ships.
The Trial Trip of PS Victoria
Trial Trip of ps Victoria by George Washington Wilson (1823-1893) - PS Victoria was built by Blackwood & Gordon of Port Glasgow in 1886 - Bromide print on paper - P1814 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
The minesweeper ANTARÉS
Model of the single screw Etoile class minesweeper sloops ALTAÏR and ANTARÉS built by William Hamilton of Port Glasgow in 1916 for the French Navy. - 2008.123 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Cargo vessels MV Letaba, Drakenstein and Tzaneen
Model of the refrigerated cargo vessels mv Letaba, Drakenstein and Tzaneen built by the Greenock Dockyard Co. Ltd. in 1963/1964 for SAFMARINE of South Africa. - 1996.14 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
RMS Caledonia
The RMS Caledonia was built for the Peninsular & Oriental Steamship Co.. by Caird & Co. of Greenock in 1894. - Bromide print on paper by Maclure, Macdonald & Co. - 1980.114 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
PS Windsor Castle
Original builder's model of the first Clyde steel hulled vessel, the ps Windsor Castle built by Caird & Co., Greenock in 1859. - 1987.170 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Model of ps Galatea
Original builder's model of ps Galatea built by Caird & Co., Greenock and launched on Friday, 31 May 1889. - L1987.180 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
PS Prince Consort on Loch Lomond
PS Prince Consort on Loch Lomond. - The Prince Consort was built by Caird & Co. in 1862 - Bromide print on paper by George Washington Wilson (1823-1893) - P1524 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Compound Naval Trunk Engine
Model of a compound naval trunk engine made by Caird & Co., Greenock. The model is made of brass, iron and steel and probably dates from around 1860. - L1988.9 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
The Palgrave
Original builder's model of the sv Palgrave. The ship was built by William Hamilton & Co. of Port Glasgow as yard No 60 and was launched on Tuesday, 5 August 1884. - 1987.173 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Cranes at Scott Lithgow 1987
Cranes at the Scott Lithgow shipyard at Cartsburn, Greenock prior to demolition in 1987. - 2005.8.35 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Entrance to Scott Lithgow Offices
Entrance to the Scott Lithgow offices at the Cartsburn shipyard, Greenock in 1987. - 2005.9.1
Sign From Scotts' Cartsburn shipyard
This sign prohibits the photographing of warships within the Scotts' Cartburn shipyard, Greenock. - 2006.374 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
S.Y. Zarnitza Silver Cup
Cup presented to workers at Scotts' Shipyard during the refurbishment of the royal yacht Zarnitza by Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov between 1906 and 1908 under the command of Prince Pontiatine, it remained in naval service post-revolution. - 2007.896 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
sv Hougomont in Scott's Dry Dock, Greenock
The sailing vessel Hougomont in the dry dock of Scotts' Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd., Greenock in 1897 with a view beyond over Victoria Harbour towards Greenock Town Centre in 1897. - WL3516 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Steam Yacht at Scotts' East Yard
Steam yacht at Scotts' East Yard, Greenock photographed in 1890. - WL936 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
