Born in Neilston, John Robertson (1782-1868) started an apprenticeship with a spinning wheelwright as a young boy, gaining work experience in Perth and Glasgow before setting up his own engineering business in the city. He developed a steam engine, which was subsequently bought by Henry Bell and installed in Bell's "Comet." This wooden vessel was hailed as the first successful steamship to sail commercially in Europe and was credited with being responsible for the emergence of hordes of steam-powered vessels travelling up and down the Clyde. The importance of Robertson's contribution is evident from the presence of his steam engine in the Science Museum in Kensington, London and from an exact replica of the steamship itself, which can be viewed in a special memorial garden in the centre of Port Glasgow.
Sadly, although prosperous for a time during his life, he died bankrupt on November 19, 1868 and is buried in the Southern Necropolis, near the Gorbals in Glasgow.
During the centenary celebrations for the launch of the Comet in 1912, Robertson's contribution was commemorated in his native Neilston. On the suggestion of the Rev. Robert Barr, a committee was formed for the purpose of erecting a memorial to him. On 24 August 1912, a large granite obelisk, costing £85 and produced by Gray & Co., Glasgow, was unveiled by Mrs. Margaret Pollock Glen (Lady Glen) amid much celebration. Mrs. Glen had served on the committee and donated the piece of land, to the right of the Glen Halls on Main Street ,where the memorial was originally sited.
At the ceremony, a platform was erected in front of the monument and drew a large crowd. Mr. A. A. Hagart Spiers of Elderslie presided over local dignitaries such as Provost Paton, Ex-Provost Cochrane, Major Pollock and Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah Henry Heys as well as many relatives of John Robertson himself. The Rev. Robert Barr gave an entertaining speech giving an account of John Robertson's life along with an account of the committee's work. He also mentioned that the name 'The Comet' came from the Great Comet of 1811 which was visible in the night sky for about 260 days.
The obelisk still stands today although on a different site and has an inscription of a tracing in lead of the Comet's engine.
Source:
East Renfrewshire's Culture & Leisure
Portal to the Past
Sadly, although prosperous for a time during his life, he died bankrupt on November 19, 1868 and is buried in the Southern Necropolis, near the Gorbals in Glasgow.
During the centenary celebrations for the launch of the Comet in 1912, Robertson's contribution was commemorated in his native Neilston. On the suggestion of the Rev. Robert Barr, a committee was formed for the purpose of erecting a memorial to him. On 24 August 1912, a large granite obelisk, costing £85 and produced by Gray & Co., Glasgow, was unveiled by Mrs. Margaret Pollock Glen (Lady Glen) amid much celebration. Mrs. Glen had served on the committee and donated the piece of land, to the right of the Glen Halls on Main Street ,where the memorial was originally sited.
At the ceremony, a platform was erected in front of the monument and drew a large crowd. Mr. A. A. Hagart Spiers of Elderslie presided over local dignitaries such as Provost Paton, Ex-Provost Cochrane, Major Pollock and Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah Henry Heys as well as many relatives of John Robertson himself. The Rev. Robert Barr gave an entertaining speech giving an account of John Robertson's life along with an account of the committee's work. He also mentioned that the name 'The Comet' came from the Great Comet of 1811 which was visible in the night sky for about 260 days.
The obelisk still stands today although on a different site and has an inscription of a tracing in lead of the Comet's engine.
Source:
East Renfrewshire's Culture & Leisure
Portal to the Past
Born in Neilston, John Robertson (1782-1868) started an apprenticeship with a spinning wheelwright as a young boy, gaining work experience in Perth and Glasgow before setting up his own engineering business in the city. He developed a steam engine, which was subsequently bought by Henry Bell and installed in Bell's "Comet." This wooden vessel was hailed as the first successful steamship to sail commercially in Europe and was credited with being responsible for the emergence of hordes of steam-powered vessels travelling up and down the Clyde. The importance of Robertson's contribution is evident from the presence of his steam engine in the Science Museum in Kensington, London and from an exact replica of the steamship itself, which can be viewed in a special memorial garden in the centre of Port Glasgow.
Sadly, although prosperous for a time during his life, he died bankrupt on November 19, 1868 and is buried in the Southern Necropolis, near the Gorbals in Glasgow.
During the centenary celebrations for the launch of the Comet in 1912, Robertson's contribution was commemorated in his native Neilston. On the suggestion of the Rev. Robert Barr, a committee was formed for the purpose of erecting a memorial to him. On 24 August 1912, a large granite obelisk, costing £85 and produced by Gray & Co., Glasgow, was unveiled by Mrs. Margaret Pollock Glen (Lady Glen) amid much celebration. Mrs. Glen had served on the committee and donated the piece of land, to the right of the Glen Halls on Main Street ,where the memorial was originally sited.
At the ceremony, a platform was erected in front of the monument and drew a large crowd. Mr. A. A. Hagart Spiers of Elderslie presided over local dignitaries such as Provost Paton, Ex-Provost Cochrane, Major Pollock and Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah Henry Heys as well as many relatives of John Robertson himself. The Rev. Robert Barr gave an entertaining speech giving an account of John Robertson's life along with an account of the committee's work. He also mentioned that the name 'The Comet' came from the Great Comet of 1811 which was visible in the night sky for about 260 days.
The obelisk still stands today although on a different site and has an inscription of a tracing in lead of the Comet's engine.
Source:
East Renfrewshire's Culture & Leisure
Portal to the Past
Sadly, although prosperous for a time during his life, he died bankrupt on November 19, 1868 and is buried in the Southern Necropolis, near the Gorbals in Glasgow.
During the centenary celebrations for the launch of the Comet in 1912, Robertson's contribution was commemorated in his native Neilston. On the suggestion of the Rev. Robert Barr, a committee was formed for the purpose of erecting a memorial to him. On 24 August 1912, a large granite obelisk, costing £85 and produced by Gray & Co., Glasgow, was unveiled by Mrs. Margaret Pollock Glen (Lady Glen) amid much celebration. Mrs. Glen had served on the committee and donated the piece of land, to the right of the Glen Halls on Main Street ,where the memorial was originally sited.
At the ceremony, a platform was erected in front of the monument and drew a large crowd. Mr. A. A. Hagart Spiers of Elderslie presided over local dignitaries such as Provost Paton, Ex-Provost Cochrane, Major Pollock and Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah Henry Heys as well as many relatives of John Robertson himself. The Rev. Robert Barr gave an entertaining speech giving an account of John Robertson's life along with an account of the committee's work. He also mentioned that the name 'The Comet' came from the Great Comet of 1811 which was visible in the night sky for about 260 days.
The obelisk still stands today although on a different site and has an inscription of a tracing in lead of the Comet's engine.
Source:
East Renfrewshire's Culture & Leisure
Portal to the Past
Inscription
To the memory of John Robertson, who was born in Neilston, on December 10th 1782, the designer and creator of the engine of the "Comet" which was the first steam boat that regularly traded in Europe. Erected by parishioners and friends, 24th August 1912.
Gravesite Details
Obelisk
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