John McAlister and Sons
MESSRS. JOHN McALISTER & SONS, Greenbank Sail Works, 24, St. James Street* Glasgow.
It is not often that the reviewer of Glasgow’s old and representative industries finds so many features of individuality in one business as are presented in that of Messrs. John McAlister and Sons, the record of whose progress presents in itself an interesting epitome of Glasgow sail-making trade during the past thirty-six years.
Until the assumption of the junior partners, some years ago, this business was solely advanced under its present esteemed principal, Mr. John McAlister, who is now assisted by Mr. J. O. McAlister, the other sons having commenced business on their own account. The firm have operated at various locations on the south side of the River ; and the burning of the premises in Paisley Road having necessitated removal to Mavisbank Quay, the inroads of railway progress at this part of the city led to the adoption of those in which the business is now conveniently situated — in the neighbourhood of Kinning Park, and within immediate access of the principal docks and ship-building yards.
Two flats of a lofty and substantial structure are fully occupied : the one for mechanical, the other for finishing processes. Here the hand-sewn sails are finished complete, and an appearance of busy industrial activity prevails throughout, the facile character of the machinery enabling a very considerable output to be maintained by a staff of some forty hands. Splendid light is obtained from the series of windows all round the building, and an appearance of great comfort is observable in every part of this compact and well-arranged sail-making factory. The premises are 120 feet long, and have a breadth of one-fourth that extent ; and, notwithstanding this ample space, it is evident that there is pressing need for the additional flat which is to be added shortly.
Much harmony prevails between the principals and their employees, all of whom seem thoroughly contented with the favourable conditions under which they work. Mr. Joseph McAlister is, to use a very popular expression, “a chip of the old block”, being not only an ardent and painstaking master of the trade, but also agreeable, anxious to please, and popular both in business and social circles.
The following personal incidents and particulars concerning the respected senior partner of the firm may be interesting. Mr. McAlister is upwards of 77 years of age, and is, we understand, the oldest practical representative of the sail-making trade living in Scotland. Before commencing business for himself he acted in the capacity of manager for several well-known firms, his services to whom must have proved valuable as regards his familiarity with every important feature of that branch of work, for which he evinced an early predilection. As far back as 1823 he sailed up the River (then navigable as far as Bowling) in one of the flat-bottomed vessels then launched at Scott’s ship-building yard in Greenock. As an indication of the carrying capabilities of the merchant craft of nearly 70 years ago, it may be stated that this brig, bearing the name of “St. James”, was of 249 tons register. It was launched on the 23rd September, 1823, and was towed direct to the Broomielaw, being owned by Robert Dewar, and specially constructed for the Jamaica trade. It was at this period that the youths of Glasgow were able to wade across the River near Bowling, and such a reminiscence must convey special interest to the reviewer as suggesting a contrast between Clyde navigation past and present, considering that, at the spot referred to, some of the largest steamers in the world now pass daily up and down.
When, many years ago, Mr. McAlister left Greenock for Glasgow, it was at the request of Mr. James Allan, of the Allan Line, and Mr. George Smith, of the City Line ; and that the suggestion was an auspicious one is fully confirmed by the subsequent successes of the business. To Messrs. McAlister the trade stands eminently indebted for the introduction, on the Clyde, of sail-making by machinery, an enterprising departure which at first met with stern opposition, but the firm’s able contention against trade prejudices was rewarded by ultimate support from numerous ship-owning firms ; and few houses are now exclusively devoted to the production of sails by hand. Messrs. McAlister’s systems having borne the test of Government inspection, they were promptly adopted in Her Majesty’s sail-lofts, and the mechanism of sail-making, as now exemplified by Messrs. McAlister, has assisted in preserving the prosperity of what had manifestly become, at one time, a retrograding trade. It is now in as flourishing a position as ever, and this firm is busy all the year round.
Their trade is widespread ; and, besides extending all over the United Kingdom, may be said to cover many parts of the world. They are now sending sails as far as Calcutta, the Cape, and New York. It was Messrs. McAlister who made all the sails for the still famous “Palgrave”, the largest sailing vessel of its day ; and they continue to provide for most of the leading ship-owners in Scotland and nearly all those on the Clyde, including the Allan and City lines. The steady and unrelaxed application to the business of intelligent and carefully conceived methods tends to the continuous expansion of its trade and interests, and the firm occupy the enviable position in the commercial world by which modest and unostentatious industry is invariably rewarded.
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