Grand Procession in Greenock The report has been taken from the Freemasons’ Quarterly Review: Friday, 15th June 1838: the foundation stones of the Greenock, Paisley, and Glasgow Railway, and the large cotton mill of the Shaws Water Cotton Spinning Company were laid with Masonic Honours at Greenock. As only a few days’ notice had been given of the intended ceremony, it was generally supposed that the procession would have been confined almost exclusively to the parties interested in these great undertakings but, con- Opening of the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock & Ayr trary to expectation, the turn-out was one of the Railway, 11 August 1840 most respectable and evinced the enthusiasm of the inhabitants at the commencement of works ments that had been made in steam navigation which will most unquestionably conduce to the since the appearance of the Comet, the first prosperity of Greenock. steamer on the Clyde, and contrasted the then quick passage of four hours with the tide, and the By one o'clock the master wrights and the master impossibility of effecting the passage against the coopers, hearing their respective banners—the tide with the expeditions manner in which the managers, office-hearers, and members of the Me- voyage is performed at present. chanics' Institution, and Trades' Library, carrying a very neat model of a railroad carriage and The procession after giving three times three train—the trades marshalled under their respec- cheers and one cheer more for the success of the tive flags—the Port Glasgow Doric Kilwinning, undertaking and being thanked in the name of the and the Greenock St. John's Lodge of Free and Ac- Railway Directors by John Kerr Esq., proceeded to cepted Masons accompanied by Mr Wells' eques- the site on the Shaws Water on which the Shaws trian company carrying each of them a banner, Water Cotton Spinning Company's Mill is to be the horses superbly caparisoned , assembled with erected. The foundation stone of this truly laudahands of music opposite the Town Hall , where ble undertaking was also laid with Masonic Honthey were joined by the Magistrates and Town ours and Provost M'Leish, in addressing the specCouncil , the Harbour and Water Commissioners, tators, congratulated them on the commencement the Railway Directors and Shareholders and the of such an important work as the Cotton Mill. Proprietors of the Shaws Water Cotton Spinning Company. The day was exceedingly fine and the turnout of The procession proceeded to Dellinghurn Street where the foundation stone of the Greenock, Paisley and Glasgow Railway was laid with Masonic Honours by the Depute Provincial Grand Master, Adam M'Leish Esq, Provost of Greenock, amidst the enthusiastic cheering of the Brethren of the Mystic tie and the vast concourse of spectators, and the discharging of cannon. Provost M'Leish addressed the assembly and in a neat and comprehensive manner alluded to the great improve-
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the fair sex of all ranks, and others who did not join in the procession was very great. The procession had an imposing appearance, particularly that part of it formed by Mr Wells' equestrian company and instrumental band, and afforded much pleasure and satisfaction. The shops were shut, and for three hours it was a holiday in Greenock.
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