by viceroy » Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:11 pm
Hi Alex
Not quite sure why you would get funny looks from Govanites while you were using your camera. Perhaps they thought you were trying to capture their souls.
Here is a quote from the Govan Heritage Trail booklet on the 'Black Man' statue:
"Directly across the street from the Pearce Institute is the statue of Sir William Pearce. The statue is known locally as the 'Black Man' (due to the bronze being discoloured and tarnished by the elements). Designed by Onslow Ford and erected in 1894 the statue is a tribute to a man who, along with the Elders and Napiers, did much to make the Clyde the greatest shipbuilding river the world has ever known. Born in 1833 in Kent, William Pearce trained in the Royal Dockyards in Chatham as a shipbuilder. In 1863 he came to the Clyde and became the general manager at Robert Napier and Son. He joined the firm of John Elder and Co (later Fairfields) in 1869 and nine years later became the sole proprietor. He realised the need for fast passenger transport between Europe and North America and under his supervision at Fairfield were built some of the fastest and most technologically advanced ships of the era. In 1885 he became Govan's first Member or Parliament."
Elder Park Library has a semi-permanent exhibition on the history of Govan which includes a photograph of the unveiling ceremony.