Prisoners to Greenock Radical War

radical war monument in greenock, across street jail site. dutch gable building of 1755 seen past clasped hands, mid kirk of 1761 left.

large numbers of suspected ringleaders imprisoned @ various jails around region. port glasgow volunteers served in paisley during strike, , when returning home on saturday 8 april escorted 5 prisoners taken on greenock jail in cart. on way through port glasgow, commanders responded rumours increasing escort 30 80 men, , met minor hostility while marching through town of crawfurdsdyke. reached greenock jail, , while handing on prisoners had shelter stones thrown higher ground south of jail.

a hostile crowd gathered, , shots fired in air failed calm situation. volunteers returned along cathcart street, mob continued increase, throwing stones, bottles, &c. windows , closes. volunteers suffered bruising, , approached rue-end street opened sporadic fire, killing , wounding several of crowd. mob pursued volunteers crawfurdsdyke, returned break open jail. magistrate urged crowd desist, no forces resist them, agreed release prisoners escaped. large group set off burn down port glasgow, halted @ town s boundary armed townsfolk had barricaded devol s glen bridge. greenock magistrates arrived, , dispersed crowd.

a list of killed , wounded collected several medical practitioners in greenock, 11th april 1820 , describing wounds sustained , condition of survivors. listed 18 casualties, including 8 year old boy, , 65 year old woman. @ time 6 noted dead, others died later wounds, , report published on 15 july said there 9 of mob dead, , 9 more dangerously wounded, there 2 of volunteers wounded.