John Scott (I) founded the firm in 1711, and engaged in the building of herring busses and small craft. There is, unfortunately, no engraving of him extant, so that our series of portraits on Plates II. and III. adjoining page 1, is to this extent incomplete.

William Scott, his son, born 1722, died 1769, succeeded him, and, with his brother, extended the business alike as regards the extent of the works, and the types of vessels built. His first square-rigged ship—of 1765—was the first vessel built on the Clyde for owners out of Scotland.

John Scott (II), born 1752, died 1837, son of William, greatly developed the works and built the dry dock and basin now included, with the original Yard, in the establishment of Messrs. Caird and Co., Limited. Under his rÉgime many ocean-going sailing ships were constructed, ship-work for the Navy was undertaken, the manufacture of steam machinery commenced in 1825, and Admiralty orders undertaken for engines for dockyard—as well as Greenock-built frigates. He built the Custom House Quay in 1791, bought Halkshill, the family seat, in 1815, was a partner in the Greenock Bank, and otherwise promoted the industries of the town.

His brother, William Scott (II), born 1756, migrated to Barnstaple, where he carried on an extensive shipbuilding industry, obtaining engines for the most of his steamships from the Greenock Works.

Charles Cuningham Scott, born 1794, died 1875, son of John Scott (II), along with his elder brother, John Scott (III), born 1785, died 1874, carried on the business as "John Scott and Sons," developing still further the progressive policy of his father, who had been responsible for the works for about half a century. The Cartsdyke Yard was commenced in 1850 by Charles Cuningham Scott, and his son John, under the style of "Scott and Co.," and this firm is the one which has maintained the continuity of the Scotts' association with shipbuilding.

John Scott (IV), born 1830, died 1903,[1] and Robert Sinclair Scott, born 1843, died 1905, sons of Charles Cuningham Scott, were responsible for the progress for nearly forty years, and the former was created a Companion of the Bath (C.B.) in 1887. During their rÉgime the firm took a large part in the introduction of the steamship for over-sea voyages; in the development of high steam pressures and of the multiple-expansion engine, which greatly improved the economy of the steam engine; and in naval work, with its incidental advancement. They completely reconstructed the Cartsdyke Works, and greatly improved what is now known as the Cartsburn Dockyard, modernising the equipment. The co-partnery was, for family reasons, registered in 1900 under the Limited Liability Company Law.

Charles Cuningham Scott, son of John Scott, C.B., is now the head of the concern and Chairman of the Company (Scotts' Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited), and with him on the directorate are his brother Robert Lyons Scott, C. Mumme, and James Brown.