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Lot Essay
Now the responsibility of Historic Scotland and open to the public, the castle was formerly the seat of the Maxwell family, part of it dating from 1484. Here, a large cutter is berthed at the private quay, and off to the right are the crowded masts of vessels in 'Port Glasgow', with the distant spire of Port Glasgow Council building.
Upstream beyond Dumbarton, the River Clyde dwindled to a broad shallow stream, the depth of water at Glasgow in 1700 being only four feet at high water, and a mere fifteen inches at low water. To compete with its deepwater commercial rivals, Greenock and Dumbarton downriver, the Glasgow authorities purchased land from Sir Francis Maxwell in 1668 that later became the site of Port Glasgow. Here cargoes from ocean going vessels were transferred to shallow craft, an activity that continued until the upper Clyde was deepened throughout the next two centuries.
This rare miniature by Robert Salmon, then resident at Greenock, represents a unique pictorial archive and epitomises the fierce commercial rivalries of the period.
Christie's are grateful to Sam Davidson for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.
Upstream beyond Dumbarton, the River Clyde dwindled to a broad shallow stream, the depth of water at Glasgow in 1700 being only four feet at high water, and a mere fifteen inches at low water. To compete with its deepwater commercial rivals, Greenock and Dumbarton downriver, the Glasgow authorities purchased land from Sir Francis Maxwell in 1668 that later became the site of Port Glasgow. Here cargoes from ocean going vessels were transferred to shallow craft, an activity that continued until the upper Clyde was deepened throughout the next two centuries.
This rare miniature by Robert Salmon, then resident at Greenock, represents a unique pictorial archive and epitomises the fierce commercial rivalries of the period.
Christie's are grateful to Sam Davidson for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.