Records of the Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd, rope and textile manufacturers, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Reference:GB 248 UGD 042/6/10
- Dates of Creation:1939-1963
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:0.6 metres
Scope and Content
- Annual accounts and reports 1939-1963;
- Balance papers and correspondence 1944-1955;
- Correspondence 1954-1959;
- Sales figures and related correspondence 1959-1963.
Administrative / Biographical History
The Gourock Ropeworks Co, rope makers and textile manufacturers, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland, created the wholly owned subsidiary Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd in 1888 to deal with the overseas trade. The first branch was opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1888 and in 1902 a branch in Sydney, Australia was opened.
The Buenos Aires branch traded chiefly in manila rope, cotton and flax sail cloth and Birkmyre's waterproof cloth. Until 1906, when machinery was sent out from Britain and a small factory established, all covers and tents were hand sewn. Trade with shipping companies for awnings, ropes, hatch and cargo covers increased. The factory closed in 1918 and new purpose built works were erected in 1924 providing both a factory and a store. Supplies of manila ropes, which were imported from Port Glasgow, often were insufficient and it was decided in the 1930s to start production of ropes in Buenos Aires, a main buyer of which was the Argentine government. In 1940 a proofing department was installed to produce a lower quality waterproof canvas that would compete with the rivals that were coming onto the market. During the Second World War the materials needed to produce rope that were normally imported from Port Glasgow were no longer available and it was decided that hard fibre spinning plant be installed to allow the manufacturer of the yarn needed for rope. By 1954 the plant was running successfully. The company appears to have ceased trading in the 1960s and the Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd was dissolved in 1999.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Other Finding Aids
See also University of Glasgow Collections
Digital file level list available in searchroom
Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)1717) and London (NRA10832)
Alternative Form Available
No known copies
Related Material
GB 0248 UGD 42 Records of Gourock Ropeworks Co Ltd
The Gourock Ropeworks Co had a number of subsidiary companies whose records survive:
GB 0248 UGD 42/6/1 Records of Govan Ropeworks Co Ltd
GB 0248 UGD 42/6/2 Records of Archibald Thomson Black & Co
GB 0248 UGD 42/6/3 Records of Gourock Ropeworks Export Co
Subjects
Corporate Names
Geographical Names