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Motion · S6M-05398 · 11 Jul 2022

Over 200 Years of the Comet

Lodged by Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party) Standard Motion 18 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes the 210th anniversary of the launch of the Comet, Europe’s first successful commercial steamship that was built by John Wood of Port Glasgow in 1812; believes that the Comet started a revolution in shipping and virtually a new shipbuilding industry in Britain, as confirmed by a Government White Paper of 1822, which it understands gives the whole credit for the first practical steamship to Scotsman, Henry Bell who designed the vessel; understands that to mark the 150th anniversary of the launching of the Comet, the people of Port Glasgow in 1962 decided to build a replica and launch it from the same place, with people involved in the shipbuilding trade lending a hand; further understands that the replica took to water, correct in every detail, and sailed a group of Inverclyde residents, all dressed in period costumes, across from Greenock to Helensburgh, where they laid a wreath on Henry Bell’s memorial; commends The Comet Trust for its fundraising efforts in 1962 to fund six travelling scholarships so that others could enjoy a career in shipbuilding, and also to erect a home for the Comet in Port Glasgow; considers that subsequent lack of investment in the Comet has led to it now being in a serious state of disrepair, and hopes that Inverclyde Council and the local community can work together to find a solution and save the Comet replica from being lost forever.

Supporters (18)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.