Sugar, Ships & Slavery

Volume Two - Sugaropolis tells the story of Greenock and its connections with the 'white gold' known as sugar. From the first refinery in 1765 till the last in 1989.

All the refineries in the town are listed, with details of their locations and the people who ran and invested in them. 

Details of the refineries have been taken from a variety of historical sources, including Hutcheson's History of Sugar Refining in Great Britain.

The majority of the more famous Greenock merchants were involved in refining throughout the years.

There were obvious connections between the spirit trade and sugar refiners

The Kerrs were one of the more illustrious families involved in the sugar trade. Involvement with the West Indies right through to current connections with Tate & Lyle.

There are physical clues throughout the town of the sugar refining industry, if you look carefully!

Let's not forget the people who worked at the business end. From the German sugar boilers, the Irish immigrants and the workers from the 'heid o' the hill'.