|
|
Article: Company started by buccaneering 12-year-old went on to make sleeping bags for Churchill
- Article from:
- The Scotsman
- Article date:
- October 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Scotsman. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
THE Blacks of Greenock empire began in 1848 when Thomas Black set
out for a life of adventure on the high seas at the tender age of
12. He later fought pirates in the Greek Archipelago and spent two
years digging for gold in Australia.
But it was his valuable sail-making skills which set him on the
road to success.
In 1861, he set up a sail-making business in Greenock on the
Clyde. But with the advent of steam shipping many years later, his
son persuaded him to try tent-making.
In 1905, Thomas jnr took over the company following his father's
death. Notable early commissions included a canvas hangar for the
army's first dirigible airship, as well as hospital marquees, bell
tents and ...