3-008-819 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Laying the foundation-stone of the Albert Harbour, Greenock, [Scotland], 1862. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. Andrew Swan. 'In consequence of the great increase of business at Greenock it has been resolved to enlarge the harbour accommodation at that port. [The laying of the foundation stone]...was attended with the most brilliant success, the procession being the largest and most imposing which had ever passed along the streets of Greenock...The Past Grand Treasurer (Melville) deposited a bottle containing the various coins of the realm of gold, silver, and copper, from a sovereign to the eighth part of a penny, local journals of the day, and wine, oil, and corn...cement was then applied which the Past Grand Master smoothed in a tradesman-like way with an elegant silver trowel, procured by the engineers for the purpose...the Grand Master finished the work by three mystical knocks with the golden mallet. Hearty cheers were then given by the thousands within sight of the ceremony...The Provost, Mr. James Johnston Grieve, having addressed the vast multitude amidst great cheering, a salvo of eighteen guns was fired from a battery on the Albert-quay; and the singing of the National Anthem ended the proceedings'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.